Sparkle University & Dishwashers

Sparkle, sparkle!

     Drinking glasses can become less sparkly as dishwashers age. Calcium build-up is possibly one of the culprits. To free your dishwasher of the build-up, use either of these products: CLR or Dishwasher Magic (I use Dishwasher Magic). These steps need to be followed in order, especially noting steps 2 & 5:

1. Empty your dishwasher of any dishes.
2. At the sink, run the tap water until it becomes HOT.
3. Select your dishwasher's "High Temp Wash" or the "Sanitize" setting.
4. Start the dishwasher....
5. The first step or cycle of many dishwashers is to drain! You need to make sure the initial draining is complete before adding CLR or Dishwasher Magic, lest it literally runs "down the drain" prior to performing its magic.
6. When you hear the dishwasher actually begin to wash, add CLR or Dishwasher Magic (refer to the package for the accurate amount and precautions).
7. For the initial treatment with stubborn build-up, run only briefly, and then stop the dishwasher to allow the solution to set (refer to package directions). Then, finish the entire cycle. For successive treatments, the set time is shortened, so refer to package directions.

     If the above steps still don't adequately produce the sparkle factor, there are three other university classes to consider:

• To improve cleaning, run the tap water until hot water comes out of your kitchen faucet. Otherwise, the water will be tepid for the first two cycles of cleaning.
• Is the rinse aid dispenser empty? If so, fill it.

          This Frugal Blogger [a/k/a FB] used to fill the rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar; but since has learned that it is hard on the rinse aid's plastic, so either fill the dispenser with regular rinse aid OR each dish load put a little white vinegar in an upward-facing more shallow glass placed on the dishwasher's top rack.

• It may help to switch your dishwasher soap. More than 2 years ago, soap manufacturers changed their formulas, omitting phosphates from their ingredients, to benefit our environment. Our environment is happier, but the sparkle factor has decreased... thus, the need for the right soap. Cascade Complete is the best option, but it is a bit pricey.

          This FB uses the cost-effective alternative: Walmart's Great Value powder.

• Refer to your dishwasher's owner's manual to learn the proper dish-loading instructions for your machine. The positioning of the various items, allowing for the soap to freely discharge from the dispenser and the water to adequately flow, makes a difference.

• Load dishes down. Make sure no pans, bowls or cups are facing upward and open. Open dishes catch dirty water, and the entire load gets repeatedly bathed in it (Tip: When a load doesn't clean, this is usually the culprit!).

• Use full-strength, white vinegar to sink-soak dingy, stubborn build-up on everyday glassware.

     Your mind is now fully loaded... with more dishwasher information than you will ever need. Enjoy the sparkle.