Whether you are replacing an old appliance or outfitting a new home, getting a new dishwasher is an exciting prospect! Before you jump in and start loading it up, though, it’s helpful to take a moment to get to know your machine before the first use.
Read the Owner’s Manual
Getting familiar with the owner’s manual of your dishwasher is most definitely a key step to take before you use your new appliance for the first time. This will help you understand what the different buttons and settings mean and what situation each setting is designed to handle.
After you read the owner’s manual there will be no mystery about what each button does or what a certain noise or light means. Knowledge is, as they say, power—and this knowledge will enable you to access the full functionality of your new dishwasher with confidence.
Run the Dishwasher While Empty
Since the whole point of a dishwasher is to clean dirty dishes, it might sound counterintuitive to start off by running an empty load. This is an important step, though, and should definitely not be skipped!
First of all, it’s highly likely that the inside of your new dishwasher might have some dust or other small debris inside that has collected during the storage, transport, and/or installation process. Running the dishwasher while empty will clean all of this out so that you can wash your first set of dishes in a truly clean machine.
Secondly, you can look at this step as a test run. If there are any issues with the machine or with any of the connections to power or water, you’ll be able to identify and deal with them without having to navigate a dishwasher full of plates and glasses.
Select Your Detergent Wisely
The last thing to do before you wash your first load of dishes is to pick the right detergent. Your machine may call for a specific type of detergent. This will be covered in your manual, so check those recommendations before you make any purchases.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the nature of your water. If you have hard water, for example, you’ll want to find a detergent that’s formulated to rinse clean even with the extra minerals found in hard water.
While it might be tempting to jump in and load your new dishwasher up right away, take these few steps before you reach for your dirty dishes. Your dishwasher and your kitchenware will thank you!
If you have dishwasher questions or concerns, or if you need dishwasher repair assistance, call the team at All Brands Appliance Repair today. We are your go-to appliance repair experts in Wilmington and the surrounding area. With over 46 years of experience, we’ve got your home appliance repair needs covered. All Brands Appliance Repair—Reputation You Can Count On!
