Dishwashers make our lives so convenient that it is hard to live without them. Because of its usability factor that it helps to clean out all the dishes within no time. And one fine day, when you find that there are some issues within the machine, the first thought that comes to your mind is how long do dishwashers last?
As you all know that the electrical home and kitchen appliances are always unreliable. It can be due to human error of improper usage or it can be because of defective brand items. Irrespective of the cause, it is very hard to determine the accurate lifespan of a dishwasher. Because of several factors associated with the operation and maintenance of these machines.
The question of how long do dishwashers last also arises for first-time consumers who are looking forward to buying a dishwasher for a longer time. In this guide, we get you all the information that you need to know for the average lifespan of a dishwasher machine and the tips that you can use to increase the life of a dishwasher.
How long do dishwashers last?
The lifespan range of a dishwasher lasts from 5 years to 15 years. If we look at the average lifespan of the dishwasher it will come around 10 years. These figures are stated by the consumers based on the usage that is found across the globe.
If you look at the popular manufacturers such as Bosch, Whirlpool, and Samsung tend to have a greater lifespan of dishwashers.
There are also reports of dishwashers that are ranging above 20 years.
The life of a dishwasher purely depends on the way you use it, the type of brand, features that these machines possess and how you maintain them. We will be discussing each point in the next section so that it will be helpful for you to increase the average lifespan of your dishwasher.
How to increase the lifespan of dishwashers?
Every consumer is cautious about the lifespan of the dishwasher. In this section, we share some of the tips to increase the lifespan of dishwashers.
1. Never overload the dishwasher
One of the most common factors that decrease the life span of the dishwasher is loading it with more than the recommended capacity of the machine. This creates immense pressure and stresses the machine operations that affect the lifespan of the device. You always need to ensure that the recommended number of utensils are only inserted into the dishwasher for cleaning purposes.
2. Try to avoid running the dishwasher at half capacity
Wait until the day and fill the dishwasher with all the utensils. This eliminates the frequent use of the wash cycle that deteriorates the life of the device. When you are able to put all the utensils in one cycle, it reduces frequent use and improves longevity. This is also beneficial to nature as it consumes less water.
3. Check all the utensils whether is it free from any debris
You need to ensure that all the leftover food on utensils that you place within the machine is free from debris that acts as a blockage for the dishwasher. Some of the common causes can be because of the bones or any metallic substance that is gone with the utensil. Perform a double-check before inserting them into the machine.
4. Use the recommended detergent
Another common instance is that consumers fail to realize the importance of using a recommended detergent for dishwashers. When you use the recommended detergent, the wash cycle is going to get improvised and the machine operates without any hassle from which you will get clean utensils. Read the owner’s manual to see which detergent is being recommended by your dishwasher brand.
5. Place the utensils categorically
Every dishwasher will have its own style of racks that you can place your utensils in. You need to see where the plate, spoons, and tumblers fit within the machines. There are few dishwasher brands that have dedicated space that allows consumers to use the utensils based on the shape and size of the device layout.
6. Prefer dishwasher from a popular brand
If you are a first-time consumer, try to prefer dishwashers from a popular brand. The intention behind this is because popular brands are in the market for a longer time. They know how to manufacture these machines that have more life compared to the new brands which don’t have any track record.
7. Clean the dishwasher filter regularly
The dishwasher filter that is used in trapping out all the leftover food items should be frequently cleaned. This helps in removing the excessive accumulation of food items that will generate germs and foul smell that affects the operation of the device. This is the reason you need to check the dishwasher filter and clean it regularly.
8. Clean the interiors and exteriors of the dishwasher monthly
You need to ensure that the dishwashers are cleaned on a monthly basis. You can take the help of vinegar or any other detergents to extensively clean the interiors and exteriors of the machine. This is one of the best tips that you can use in increasing the average lifespan of your dishwasher.
9. Do not ignore the signs
If you find that there are any sounds during the operation of a wash cycle, you should not ignore them. Because this can affect in the long run when the issue is not at the start. Either you can check the issue by yourself or take the help of any professional service who knows the solutions for it. Also, you can check whether the dishwasher is under the warranty period so that you can get it serviced for free.
10. Periodical maintenance
This is purely dependent on the manufacturer’s brand of the dishwasher. As some of these company’s offer periodical maintenance that they check for any issues on every 6 months or annual basis. They will also let you know what are the possible areas that need to be repaired or maintained so that it helps in increasing the performance as well as the life of the device.
Suggested read: How does a dishwasher work?
How to identify whether the dishwasher has any problem?
You can easily identify the problem when the dishwasher encounters one. Here are some of the common instances that you can relate to.
1. Unusual sound
If the dishwasher has any problem, it starts to create an unusual sound that affects the performance of the machine. You should not ignore that the unusual sound can be a sign of a faulty machine.
Related: Why is my dishwasher so loud?
2. Dishes are not cleaned properly
After the wash cycle has been completed, if you find that the dishes are not cleaned properly then this can be a cause of concern. It can be due to the problem of detergent or the machine’s operation.
3. If you find any rusts or crack
You need to pay close attention to the exteriors and interiors of the dishwasher. If you find that there is any rust formation or cracks, you need to take the help of technical assistance in fixing this issue.
4. Water is not draining or getting leaked
This is one of the most common scenarios for the problems in the dishwasher. Check the source of water and see thoroughly whether it is getting leaked at any particular space. Alternatively, you can also check if there are any blockages. If there are no such issues, then there can be a serious problem within the machine.
Learn more: Why is my dishwasher not draining?
Concluding thoughts
Since you have understood how long do dishwashers last and the tips to increase the longevity of the machine, you need to be aware of the complete process and share it with your peer groups. It will also help them in maintaining and managing the dishwasher so that it lasts for a longer time without any hassle.
As the resources can survive more than 10 years, you need to be cautious enough and use all the above tips for getting the best use of the machine. Periodical maintenance and proper cleaning are some of the best ways to extend the lifespan.
If you have previously owned a dishwasher, let us and the other visitors know what is the average lifespan of dishwashers.