Keeping your cutlery spotless can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle, especially when relying on your dishwasher. Fortunately, with a few clever tricks, you can easily maintain that shiny, stainless-steel look. Here are nine easy hacks to ensure your cutlery comes out sparkling clean every time.
1. Try a Vinegar Rinse
What to do: Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher (face-up) and run a normal cycle.
Why it works: Vinegar’s acidic nature dissolves stains and buildup, leaving your cutlery cleaner and shinier.
2. Sprinkle Some Baking Soda
What to do: Before loading your cutlery into the dishwasher, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on them.
Why it works: Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps remove stains while naturally deodorising your cutlery.
3. Load Your Cutlery Correctly
What to do: When placing knives, forks, and spoons in the cutlery basket, put the handles facing down. Ensure that different types of cutlery are separated to prevent them from merging and causing spots.
Why it works: Proper spacing ensures that water and detergent can reach all surfaces for thorough cleaning.
4. Add a Splash of Lemon Juice
What to do: Pour a few tablespoons of lemon juice into the detergent compartment or directly in the bottom of your dishwasher before running a cycle.
Why it works: Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent, breaking down grease and leaving your cutlery gleaming.
5. Run a Hot Water Pre-Rinse
What to do: Before starting your dishwasher, run the hot water in your sink until it’s steaming, then start the dishwasher immediately.
Why it works: This ensures the dishwasher begins with the hottest water possible, which is more effective at breaking down stains and cleaning thoroughly.
6. Use a Dishwasher Cleaner Regularly
What to do: Once a month, run an empty dishwasher cycle with a dishwasher cleaner.
Why it works: Regular cleaning helps remove any buildup of grease, food particles, or minerals that might transfer onto your cutlery during the wash cycle.
7. Perfect Your Drying Technique
What to do: After the dishwasher cycle is complete, open the door slightly to allow steam to escape, or if water spots persist, dry the cutlery by hand.
Why it works: Air drying helps prevent water spots, keeping your cutlery spotless.
8. Polish with a Microfiber Cloth
What to do: Once your cutlery has dried, polish each piece with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Why it works: Microfiber cloths are great at removing any remaining water spots or streaks, leaving your cutlery extra shiny.
9. Don’t Forget the Rinse Aid
What to do: Regularly check your dishwasher’s rinse aid compartment and ensure it’s filled. You can also add a few drops of liquid rinse aid directly to the detergent compartment.
Why it works: Rinse aid allows water to slide off the cutlery more easily, reducing water spots and giving your cutlery a brilliant shine.
10. Keep the salt topped up
What to do: Regularly check the salt compartment, usually located at the bottom of the machine. Ensure to fill it up with Dishwasher specific salt. Some Dishwashers will have an indicator light that alerts you.
Why it works: Dishwasher salt softens hard water, preventing limescale deposits and hard water stains on cutlery. Also allows detergent to work better when the water is softened, reducing residue and in return enhancing the shine.
Summary
With these simple hacks, you can ensure that your cutlery stays as gleaming as the day you bought it. A little extra attention and the right techniques can make a world of difference in maintaining the sparkle and cleanliness of your cutlery set.
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