The dishwasher has become an integral part of everyday life.
However, there are a few things to consider in order to save energy and not damage the device.
Kassel – clean dishes at the push of a button – anyone who has one will no longer want to do without the dishwasher in their household.
The device saves not only time, but also cash.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, dishwashers use significantly less energy and water than washing dishes by hand.
Efficient new appliances require less than nine liters per flush.
The washing dishes average twice as much water.
But despite the supposedly simple operation, small errors creep in every now and then that can damage the dishwasher.
1. Dishwasher error: Forgot to clean the filter
The dishwasher must also be cleaned so that no germs are deposited.
Therefore, you should wash your dishes at high temperatures from time to time.
The filter also has to be cleaned regularly, reports
Merkur.de
.
Food scraps and grease residues often collect here.
The filter is located on the bottom of most devices.
The filter should be cleaned with washing-up liquid every four to six weeks.
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2. Mistakes with the dishwasher: use the Eco program too seldom
In principle, it is advisable to let the Eco program run through.
That usually uses less electricity and water than the standard program, informed
Öko-Test
.
Although the eco mode sometimes lasts several hours, it washes at lower temperatures.
This saves a lot of money and resources, because most of the energy is used to heat the water in the dishwasher.
3. Mistakes with the dishwasher: Load the appliance incorrectly
Before selecting the program, it is also important to give the right space.
Heavily soiled dishes should be placed at the bottom of the dishwasher, reports consumer portal
Utopia
.
In a silverware basket, the handles of the spoon, fork, and knife should face down.
This allows the water to loosen the dirt better.
However, the risk of injury is also higher.
If there are children in the household, it is better to place forks and knives in the machine with the handle facing upwards.
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For a long service life of the dishwasher, there are a few things to consider.
© Olena Ivanova/imago
It is also important not to pack the dishes too close together.
Pots and cans should not be stacked on top of each other.
Otherwise the parts will not get really clean and will have to be washed again by hand.
However, the popular kitchen helper should not be left on half full - this increases energy and water consumption.
A good measure is therefore required here: The device should be loaded in such a way that the spray arms can still rotate.
4. Dishwasher mistake: prewash dirty dishes
What is also less economical: Rinse the dirty dishes by hand before putting them away.
Food residues should be removed in advance to protect the filter and prevent bad odors.
However, the additional rinsing by hand only consumes energy and water unnecessarily.
In most cases, dishwashers manage to remove dirt from the dishes themselves.
5. Dishwasher mistake: Forgot dishwasher salt
Thorough cleaning requires not only rinse aid and detergent, but also dishwasher salt.
This regenerates the so-called ion exchanger, reports
NDR.
Otherwise lime deposits can form on the glasses and the machine.
The amount of dishwasher salt depends on the water hardness.
6. Mistakes in the dishwasher: Load unsuitable dishes
There is a tendency to put as many dishes as possible in the dishwasher.
However, not all containers and parts belong in the appliance, such as certain plastic tableware.
The hot water can otherwise release pollutants, it said at
Utopia
.
Only dishes suitable for the dishwasher belong in the machine.
Coated pans, sensitive porcelain and wooden objects also have no place in the dishwasher.
7. Mistakes with the dishwasher: Never put it next to the refrigerator
Last but not least, you should make sure that you never place the machine right next to the refrigerator.
The dishwasher emits heat when it is running, which means that the refrigerator has to use more energy to cool the food inside.
The wrong type of storage in the refrigerator can have undesirable consequences.
(cheese)
List of rubrics: © Olena Ivanova/imago
