Did You Just Get a New Dishwasher? 5 Things to Do Right Away.
Whether you choose to DIY or hire a pro to help guide your dishwasher into its new nest, there are a few things you should do to ensure everything goes smoothly.
1. Shut off power and water.
Prep for installation by turning off the water-supply line and power to your existing machine. Taking the time to do this before the delivery guys come (about an hour in advance) will give the line a chance to drain and ensure that the installation will be as quick (and as safe!) as possible.
2. Read the manual.
You’ve used a dishwasher before; you know how they work (you put dirty dishes in and take clean dishes out). And so you don’t think you really need to read the manual of your new appliance before you put it to work. But you really, really should! Not only will it give you the lowdown on what all your new buttons and modes do, but it also contains must-know info on things like what temperature your water heater should be set to. It won’t be riveting, but it’s an important step.
3. Run an empty load.
It’s a good idea to give your washer a test run once everything is hooked up. It’ll help you ensure that all the parts and pipes are connected properly and give you a chance to get a feel for the wash time of your new baby.
Before you start the cycle, it’s also worth tossing in a cup or two of white vinegar. It’ll clean the interior of any random debris or scum from the manufacturing process. Repeat this “rinse” every month or so to keep things squeaky clean.
Read more: How To Clean a Dishwasher
4. Practice loading your machine.
In order to optimize the available space in your machine, take some time to play around with a few different loading layouts (think of it as an adult version of Tetris!). Your manual may give you insight into what goes where, but experimenting with your very own dishes, platters, and glassware is often the best way to figure out how to make the most of your space.
5. Figure out your detergent.
Between gels, tablets, pouches, and powders, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to dishwasher detergent. You’ll want to spend some time figuring out what type of cleaning aid is best suited to your machine.
Your machine’s manual will let you know whether you need to shop for a rinse aid along with your detergent, and what type may be best. You’ll also need to think about how hard your water is. If your dishes are coming out cloudy, you might want to consider finding a different detergent.
Did you recently buy a new dishwasher? What tips do you have?