Hotpoint’s Dishwasher Care Guide

Hotpoint’s dishwashers do the tough scrubbing and washing up for you, keeping your glasses sparkling and your bowls and plates squeaky clean. From washing up after a family dinner, to cleaning up after your favourite comfort meal, having a dishwasher makes your life easier — so you want to keep it running properly and performing at its best. 

Dishwasher maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated, and if you notice your dishes are not  coming  out as clean as you like, then your dishwasher may need some TLC. Looking after your appliances ensures they last and that you get spotless results every time.

Keeping your Hotpoint dishwasher in top shape can be as simple as learning how to clean and descale it. All it takes is a little TLC so your dishwasher can continue to deliver sparkling clean results you can rely on for years to come.

Cleaning any appliance can feel like a big task and it’s one that we all too often put off tackling. However, if you’re noticing an unpleasant smell from your dishwasher or that your dishes aren’t pristine then it might be time for a little dishwasher care. At Hotpoint, we’ve carefully  designed our dishwashers to do the hard work for you, and in order to keep your it as good as new we’ve also created a simple guide on how to clean your dishwasher.

1. How to clean the dishwasher filter. To clean the filter and keep the whole appliance smelling fresh, remove it from the dishwasher – it is usually located underneath the lower rack. Remove any large debris with a paper towel and run the filter under warm water from the tap to remove any smaller waste build-up. For any stubborn remains, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush whilst running under  the tap. 
2. How to clean the spray arms. Hotpoint’s dishwasher feature, 3D Zone wash technology  and clean spray arms will ensure you get a powerful clean, so keeping them free of debris is key to having  sparkling dishes. The holes on the spray arms can become blocked with debris, limiting the water jets’ power around the dishwasher.  Simply remove the arms and rinse them under hot water and remove any blockages with a soft brush to keep them working brilliantly. 
3. How to clean the dishwasher seal. Over many years dishwasher seals can become worn or dirty. To make sure they’re well maintained, wipe a damp cloth around the seals and over the doors to give them a clean every few months to save on dishwasher maintenance costs. 
4. How to clean the inside of the dishwasher. Every three months, run your empty dishwasher on a hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner to keep the inside hygienic and running more efficiently. A dishwasher cleaning product will cut through grease and stubborn food residues whilst the hot temperatures will sanitise the appliance and remove any bad odours.

Perhaps you’ve done some dishwasher care and given your appliance a deep clean, but you’re still battling with limescale build-up and pesky hard water marks on your crockery. Descaling is an important part of cleaning a dishwasher, especially if you live in a hard water area.

Ensure your dishwasher is empty and select a hot cycle – one that is at least 60°C. This will help keep the interior shiny and sanitary. After running the hot cycle for approximately 30 minutes to dislodge any looser limescale build up, open the door –  do this slowly so the water has time to drain. Add your dishwasher limescale remover, shut the door, and resume the cycle until it is complete. 

Dishwasher salt is essential to keep your appliance running smoothly. It works by softening the water to protect the machine from limescale build-up and to eliminate cloudy glasses and streaky cutlery. 

When the dishwasher salt indicator comes on, locate the salt reservoir beneath the lower rack of your dishwasher. Unscrew the cap and fill the salt up to the top before tightly screwing the cap back on. Ensure you clean up any excess salt that may have fallen out and pop the lower rack back in place.

Another simple yet essential product in dishwasher maintenance is the rinse aid. It is usually located next to the detergent dispenser in the door of the appliance. To find more information on  where to put rinse aid in your dishwasher,  please refer back to Hotpoint’s product manual. Rinse aid helps to loosen any stubborn or baked-on food , leaving you with perfect results, as well as aiding in drying time and keeps your dishwasher smelling fresh, too. 

Everybody wants spotless glasses and shiny cutlery so taking time for some dishwasher maintenance is key. Here are a few final top tips:

1. Keep the motor and technology working efficiently by running your dishwasher once every week, even if it is empty.
2. Ensure you aren’t overloading your dishwasher and that you are loading your pots, pans, and plates correctly to enable them to get a thorough clean.
3. Top up the rinse aid and salt as needed, keeping an eye on the dishwasher salt indicator and rinse aid dispenser. 
4. Clean the dishwasher once every three months, or when you notice it isn’t performing as well as usual.

From knowing how to clean your dishwasher to where to put the dishwasher salt, keeping on top of maintenance ensures your appliance will keep working brilliantly and delivering the assuring performance you can count on..