Wipe dirty seals dry with paper toweling. Now and again, take off the water spray arm and check that it isn't clogged (sweet corn is a likely culprit). Use toothpicks to carefully unblock any logjams.
A capful of white vinegar keeps shut-up smells at bay. Pour some in on a day when you're not going to use the dishwasher and leave it to sit in the machine. You can also buy branded leave-in freshener blocks.
Troubleshooting
Dishwashers are a blessing and a curse! The short and far from-complete list that follows tells you how to take care of some of the most common dishwasher problems. Your dishwasher manual should have additional advice.
- Cups still tea-stained:You're not putting enough cleaning powder into your machine. Add dishwasher salt, as described in the preceding "Loading the dishwasher" section, or switch to a premium dishwasher powder and avoid light wash settings.
- Detergent residue or half-dissolved tablets left in the machine: This indicates that hot water isn't getting through. Check the spray arm for blockages and clear them out with a toothpick. Also, tablets can be too much for small machines. Switch to powder.
- Too many suds: Use less rinse-aid in the dispenser. Also, scrape away egg- and cheese-based sauces, as too much protein in the machine causes over-soaping.
- Wet plates and glasses: Add more rinse-aid.
- White film on inside of the machine and glassware: Descale the dishwasher with a limescale remover.
