9 best tips to maximize your dishwasher’s efficiency

1. Always run full loads 

“Less is more” might be a good principle, but it’s not ideal for your dishwasher loads. Running your dishwasher in multiple batches consumes more water and energy than running it once a day. Not only that, but loading multiple sets of kitchenware also takes more fuss.

To unload the dishes after washing faster and more easily, you should choose a dishwasher with trays that are easy to lift and pull in, pull out.

With our ComfortLift technology in Electrolux dishwasher, you have easier access to your cutlery tray, so you can finish your daily kitchenware load in a breeze.

With ComfortLift technology in Electrolux dishwasher, you have easier access to your cutlery tray

2. Skip pre-washing before putting your wares to the dishwasher 

Even with the right intentions, pre-washing your wares does more harm than good. Instead of pre-rinsing them, simply scrape off food debris before loading your dishes straight to the washer. This saves more water and time in the long run, maximising your washers’ full capacity.

Scrape off food debris before loading your dishes straight to the washer

3. Use the right amount of dishwashing liquid

Using more cleaning products doesn’t guarantee a better clean. In fact, using too much dishwashing liquid could leave residue on your kitchenware, which may cause various health complications. 

In particular, when you use too much dishwasher detergent, a large amount of foam will be generated, causing water to overflow. This will affect the life of the machine in the long run. So, you should add a sufficient amount of dishwashing liquid, or use dedicated dishwashing salts for dishwashers.

ExtraHygiene sanitises your dishes, guaranteeing a 99.9% bacteria-free* result

Through our ExtraHygiene feature, each wash cycle eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, guaranteeing a thorough yet safe wash each time.

4. Air-dry your wares 

Letting your dishes dry naturally saves more energy and protects your kitchenware from excessive heat. This will help you reduce the energy used for drying and prevent the high temperature from damaging the enamel, non-stick surfaces, … of your cooking wares.

Our AirDry technology takes this a step further, finishing each wash cycle with a blast of natural air. After a full wash, our unit opens up around 10cm for air to properly circulate the unit, leaving your dishes dry and ready for storing. You can enjoy the great result without the need for any extra energy.

Finishing each wash cycle with a blast of natural air from Electrolux AirDry technology

5. Time your wash cycles wisely

To prepare an efficient dishwashing cycle, simply store used dishes inside the unit throughout the day. After supper, you can load the last batch of kitchenware and let the dishwasher take care of it. With our Delay Start feature, you can set a specific time for your wash programme, allowing a more hands-free experience that you can always rely on. The best time to set up a full wash cycle can be evening or early morning.

6. Place plates facing inwards 

Something you need to remember about how a dishwasher works is that the water sprays from the center of the machine outward. Due to the spinning action of the sprayer arms, it doesn’t shoot up exactly vertically. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to let the most heavily soiled parts of dishes, such as the tops of plates, face the water spray directly. The same goes for pans or cutting boards.

7. Put small plastic items in a laundry bag 

If you’ve ever tried to clean small plastic items in a dishwasher, you’ll know that the water spray is just too strong for such light items. They’ll go flying and you’ll end up picking them up from the bottom of the dishwasher. 

To combat this problem, use a mesh laundry bag that is used to wash delicates in your washing machine and place the items inside before putting them in the dishwasher. They’ll get squeaky clean and remain in the same place. 

8. Keep it clean 

While your dishwasher is self-cleaning to a point, you still need to give it a bit of a cleaning sometimes. Grime can build up after many cycles, and it may affect your cleaning performance.  

9. Unload the bottom rack first 

When your dishwasher cycle is done and you’re unloading, take out the dishes from the bottom rack first. Items in the top rack may have turned over during cleaning and may have water pooled in them. If you unload the bottom rack first, you avoid spilling that water all over your clean dishes underneath.

Hopefully, the above tips for using the dishwasher will help you save time, energy, and prolong the life of the machine as well as keep the dishes bright and beautiful. In addition to the above tips, you need choose a good dishwasher with useful features to help wash dishes as efficiently and economically as possible. Please refer to this guide to choosing the best dishwasher here.

Learn more about our range of dishwashers with hot promotion when buying dishwasher today!