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  1. Home
  2. Cleaning

Expert washing machine and dishwasher tips

How to save time and money on cleaning. - by Laura Barry
  • 03 Feb 2020

WATCH: Watch the video below for crazy cleaning tips that really work

Many of us spend a large portion of our time cleaning up after ourselves and our family. From endless loads of washing to constantly running the dishwasher, it can feel like we’re always spending our time, money and energy on cleaning.

However, the experts at consumer advocacy group CHOICE have pulled together a list of their best tips t get the most out of your washing machine and dishwasher.

 

Be wary of 'magic' hacks

“Recently there was a social media storm around using dishwashing tablets to clean your washing machine, with many people claiming it gave them miracle results, ”says Choice white goods expert Ashley Iredale. "This may work initially, but I wouldn't recommend it. Washing machines aren't designed to deal with highly caustic dishwasher detergents, so doing this may damage seals and hoses over time. Which could also void your consumer guarantee or warranty as the manufacturer may say you didn't follow proper instructions."

dishwasher
Getty

Tips for using your dishwasher

Don't wash by hand

CHOICE experts all agree that using a modern dishwasher on a full load is more water- and energy-efficient than washing your dishes by hand. "Using a typical modern dishwasher uses about six times less water than hand-washing a typical pile of dirty dishes, and getting the water in your sink hot enough to do the dishes takes nearly twice as much energy as you'd use running your dishwasher,” says Ashley.

Clean your dishwasher with vinegar

Use this clever – and cheap – hack to remove soap build-up and odours, and give your dishwasher a little TLC to help ensure it lasts as long as it should (around 11 years, according to Choice). 

Pour around 1 cup (250ml) of vinegar into the bottom of the unit or into a bowl on the top or bottom rack, then run the machine through a full cycle with no dishes or detergents. However, check your manual first, as some manufacturers advise that you not use vinegar to clean certain models.

Save time and water: don’t rinse

But do scrape. Say Choice experts whose testing has found rinsing dishes before you put them in the dishwasher doesn't make any difference to how clean they'll come out at the end. Do scrape off any large bits of food residue though, otherwise they'll accumulate in your dishwasher.

Turn up the heat

Run out of dishwasher tablets or detergent and got a pile of dirty dishes you really don't want to do by hand? Choice have found that many recipes for DIY dishwasher liquid or natural alternatives don't work very well. However, turning the temperature up and doing a cycle with plain water may work.

laundry
Getty

Washing machine tips

Convert a wheelie bin to reuse your greywater

Try this affordable hack to reuse greywater from cleaning your clothes to save water. 

“Rig up a hose from your washing machine and feed it outside to collect in a tank, or, as our clever CHOICE staff member Alice did, in a wheelie bin. Then you can use the water on your garden and save hundreds of litres in the process.”

Do the occasional hot load in the washing machine

“Commercial washing machine cleaner is expensive and largely unnecessary. If you regularly wash in cold water, run the occasional very hot empty cycle, with just a bit of good-quality detergent in the dispenser, and it'll help keep scrud at bay. Also, ditch fabric softeners as they add to build-up.”

Brighten up

“Brighten your colours and whiten your whites without using expensive and non-eco-friendly bleaches with vinegar! Try adding around a cup to your load. Vinegar is also a great alternative for fabric softeners, which are expensive and damaging to the environment.

You might also like:

How to load your dishwasher for the best results 

How to clean your front loader washing machine properly 

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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How to keep kids busy in the garden

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Skewered charred calamari

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Is this the most popular indoor plant of 2020?

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Get a real-life mini Christmas tree delivered to your door

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The most popular plant trends of 2020

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A cheese festival is coming this November

A cheese festival is coming this November

Consumer watchdog Choice reveals worst products and shops of 2020

Consumer watchdog Choice reveals worst products and shops of 2020

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