The 3 worst things you can do to your dishwasher – these will shave years off your appliance's lifespan

Dishwashers are essential for many households, and for good reason. Whilst regular maintenance will make yours last longer, mistakes in usage will shorten their lifespan.

Everyday slip-ups such as always running a full cycle, forgetting to clean out strainers and surprisingly, rinsing your dishes before loading, could be damaging your dishwasher and shaving years off their longevity, our panel of experts have revealed.

Here, plumbers and appliance pros have revealed the three worst things you can do that will shorten the lifespan of your dishwasher.

The worst things you can do to your dishwasher

1. Always running a full cycle

The best dishwashers are designed to be incredibly energy efficient (many are more efficient than washing dishes by hand), but that doesn’t mean you should be running a full cycle when it’s half-empty. Not only is it a waste of water and energy, but it is seriously damaging your appliance and common dishwasher mistake.

Omarr Picken, master plumber and founder of OP Plumbing explains, ‘If your dishwasher is less than two-thirds full it is good practice to run your dishwasher on eco mode or a mode that doesn’t run a long cycle.

‘The more you run your dishwasher, the quicker the parts are going to wear out. By reducing the running time to suit the load size, you can prolong the life of your dishwasher.’

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Not cleaning out strainers

Cleaning a dishwasher is important to keep your dishes clean – cleaning dishwasher filters, on the other hand, is essential to keeping your appliance running. Forgetting them, or not cleaning all of them is, by far, one of the worst things you can do to your appliance.

Omarr continues, ‘Dishwashers come with a collection strainer to catch any large items of food that may not have been removed from items before being placed into the dishwasher. Over time, the strainer will fill up and make it increasingly difficult for the dishwasher to drain properly. It is good practice to clear out these strainers at least once in every 10 cycles to prolong the life of a dishwasher, unclog a dishwasher for proper drainage, and get rid of dishwasher smells.’

Andrew Bates, COO at Bates Electric Inc. adds, ‘Many people don’t realize their dishwashers have more than one filter and fail to clean them all. Read your dishwasher’s manual to ensure you’re cleaning filters and maintaining the system properly.’

3. Rinsing dishes first

If you regularly find that your dishwasher is not cleaning dishes, it might be because you are rinsing them off first.

Andrew says, ‘Many people think they’re helping extend the life of their dishwasher by rinsing before they put their dishes in, but it does more harm than good. Modern dishwashers are designed to handle tough food particles, so pre-rinsing hinders performance.

‘Dishwashers have turbidity sensors that assess the soil level of the dishes, and they often detect pre-rinsed dishes as already clean. You’re tricking your appliance into thinking the dishes are clean too early, which kicks them into a shorter, less effective cycle.’

FAQs

What is the average life of a dishwasher?

A dishwasher, when properly maintained and cleaned, can last anywhere between 10-15 years before it starts to deteriorate, with mechanisms or seals starting to degrade over time with heavy usage, resulting in less cleaning power or leaks.

How do you know if you need to replace a dishwasher?

Some common signs you need to replace your dishwasher include constant leaks, a door that does not close or latch correctly, water failing to drain, or dishes not being cleaned or dried properly despite loading a dishwasher correctly.

If you notice any of these recurring issues, it is worth having your machine serviced. An expert will then be able to tell you if it is better to repair or replace your appliance.

When washing dishes in a dishwasher, always use the correct detergents. While there are some household items you can substitute for dishwasher tablets, you should never put dish soap in a dishwasher. It foams up far too much and could prove fatal for your machine and messy for your kitchen.