1. You're Not Scraping Food Off of Dishes

While pre-rinsing dishes is unnecessary for a modern dishwasher, it is still recommended to scrape off hard or bulky items before loading them into the dishwasher. Failing to remove large food residue, toothpicks, napkins, and other debris will quickly clog your dishwasher's filter and likely cause further damage.

2. You're Using Too Much Detergent

If you've ever waltzed into the kitchen only to be shocked by soap suds leaking from your dishwasher, there's a simple explanation. And no, it's probably not the dishwasher's fault. You've simply added too much dish detergent or the wrong type of soap to your dishwasher.

In some respects, a dishwasher is a precision appliance that counts on a specific amount of soap and the type of soap to run a wash cycle. Choosing the wrong type of detergent or putting too much soap into the dishwasher disrupts the cleaning cycle and over-suds the appliance. At best, you'll end up with spots all over your dishes. At worst, you'll end up with soap all over your kitchen.

3. You're Not Clearing the Drain Filter

Wait—there's a filter on a dishwasher? If you're just now discovering this, you may be in for a deep cleaning. Dishwashers feature a drain filter, typically comprised of two separate screens, which prevents large particulate matter or debris from entering the drain.

Failing to remove and clean these screens regularly will lead to unpleasant odors and dishes that are not properly cleaned. It could even damage your dishwasher if neglected long enough.

4. You're Not Cleaning It

Your dishwasher is supposed to do the cleaning. Sort of. Your dishwasher can only clean dishes as clean as its interior allows, and if the interior is full of mold, mildew, and other unknown grime, you need to remove it before it spreads to your dishes.

Open the appliance, remove the racks, and scrub the mold and mildew away with a damp cloth. For stubborn grime, you may need a cleaning agent such as bleach. Never use bleach to clean stainless steel, as it can damage the surface. When in doubt, check your manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning your specific dishwasher model.

5. You're Not Leaving It Open

No, we're not saying you should leave the dishwasher open all the time. We suggest leaving the dishwasher open after running a cycle to allow it to vent the heat and moisture. This can prevent mold and mildew growth, which can lead to unpleasant odors and damage to the dishwasher.

Even letting your dishwasher dry after a cycle isn't enough to stop rust on damaged dishwasher racks. To fix this, remove as much rust as possible, then coat the rack with a dishwasher rack repair coating or a silicone sleeve, both of which are available at many hardware stores and online retailers.

6. You're Not Using It Enough

Giving your dishwasher a break and hand washing the sink full of dishes might have the opposite effect than you think. Not running your dishwasher with hot water regularly can lead to damage resulting from excess buildup and debris settling at the bottom of the dishwasher.

7. You're Not Removing Buildup

When buildup does occur, you need to remove it. The best way to remove buildup from a dishwasher is to run a cycle with an acid such as white vinegar or lemon juice. It's as simple as placing a bowl full of the acid on the top rack and running a cycle.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Dishwasher

• Run it often. A dishwasher used frequently will likely last longer than one run only occasionally, as it helps prevent buildup from occurring.
• Clean it regularly. Your dishes are only as clean as the inside of your dishwasher. Take the time to clean the interior of your dishwasher to help it work more efficiently and last longer.
• Let it air out. After a hot, steamy wash cycle, the worst thing you can do is close the dishwasher. Open it up to air out and dry it before you close it.
• Remove buildup as needed. Buildup in a dishwasher is expected and natural, but it's essential to take the time to remove it as necessary. To do so, an acid like white vinegar or lemon juice is usually sufficient.
• Use the right detergent. Don't fill your dishwasher with just any soap. Use the correct dish detergent and the recommended amount for optimal results.
• Watch what you put in your dishwasher. While today's dishwashers and detergents can clean even the dirtiest dishes, it's not wise to load a dishwasher with dishes covered in food and other debris.
• Clean your filter screens. Failing to clean your drain filter screens will lead to poor drainage and circulation of old food residue during each cycle.