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House Hacks: 5 Things to Put in the Dishwasher

3/16/2023

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Are you used to handwashing things like sponges, brushes, and even your toothbrush holder? There may be a more effective and germ-killing option- Your dishwasher!  The temperature reached by your dishwasher is much hotter than the water in your sink, so it naturally kills bacteria. Let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want your sink that hot, it could scald you.
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Not every home has a dishwasher, but if you do, here are 5 things you can put in the dishwasher to keep them clean. Be sure to look for the dishwasher safe symbol before you put it in the dishwasher. You don’t want to ruin the item or the appliance.

Sponges: Did you know you can clean dirty sponges in the dishwasher? Kitchen sponges carry a lot of bacteria, so if yours hasn’t been washed in a while, think about putting them in the dishwasher (top shelf of course) on a regular basis. Washing your sponges once a week can really make a difference.

Hats: We bet you didn’t know you could clean hats in the dishwasher! Washing them in the washing machine doesn’t work very well, but the top shelf of your dishwasher can. It helps clean out all the dirt, sweat, and grim while keeping shape. If the hat has a cardboard rim, we don’t recommend putting it in the dishwasher.

Toothbrush Holders: The bottom of your toothbrush holder isn’t usually a pleasant sight…and usually full of grime. Place it face down on the top shelf of the dishwasher just like a regular cup and watch it get sparkly clean.

Plastic Toys: Some of your kid’s plastic toys can even be washed in the dishwasher. Cleaning them with rags and chemicals can make them unsafe for your children, but popping them in the dishwasher can be a game changer. Put toys on the top rack to be safe and put smaller toys in a mesh bag to keep them from falling through.

Shelving from the Refrigerator: It’s hard enough to clean the shelving from your fridge. Make life easier and put them in the dishwasher. Place them on the bottom shelf just like a place and watch them get clean! If you find that the shelves are too big, you can always take out the top shelf of the dishwasher to create more room.
 
Of course, these are just a few things you wash in the dishwasher, but there are many others. We’d love to hear what’s worked for you! 

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May 24th, 2022

5/24/2022

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Dishwashers are a god-send. Most of us out there do not enjoy washing dishes. So when our dishwasher starts having trouble, it can get frustrating. One source of dishwasher trouble is a clog. This can be caused by not rinsing dishes properly before running them through the washing cycle. Make sure you clear all bits of food off your dishes to help prevent clogging. If there are bits of food, they can accumulate in your filter basket or drain hose causing clogs.
But how will you know if it’s clogged? Signs indicating a clog can be water backing up in the sink, gurgling sounds, shaking or thumping while the dishwasher runs. Standing water in your dishwasher after a wash cycle also indicates a clog, because leftover food is clogging the drainage basket.
Once you’ve figured out the dishwasher is clogged, how do we fix it? First, clean your drain basket. Make sure it is free and clear of debris. Then you’ll want to gather all the items you’ll need to clear the clog. 
  • Phillips head screwdriver to remove drain gates
  • Baking soda and vinegar
  • Bucket
  • Gloves
  • A drainage snake
Next, make sure the dishwasher is unplugged. Remove the dish racks and find the drain grate, it will be located somewhere near the bottom of the dishwasher. You can then remove the grate with a phillips head screwdriver. You can try using baking soda in the pipe and then adding vinegar to clear the pipe. Or you can auger the drain with a drainage snake. Avoid using a chemical drain cleaner, as it can eventually damage the drain. Then you can reattach your drain grate, return the dish racks to their place, and plug the dishwasher back in. Run the dishwasher through a cleaning cycle to see if the problem has been resolved. 
If the problem persists, give a plumber a call as there might be a bigger issue. Call Tony’s Plumbing and we’ll get your dishwasher all cleared up and draining smoothly! 


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    At Tony's Plumbing & Heating, we offer outstanding residential and commercial plumbing and heating services in the East Twin Cities metro. With our blog, we hope to bring you useful tips and tricks for ever day life! 

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