FOR many busy families, the dishwasher is an essential kitchen helper.
But you can make yours work even harder and more affordably with a few simple tricks.
Here’s what you need to know . . .
CHEAPER CLEAN: Dishwasher tablets are pricey so cut them in half if you have a smaller machine.
The reduced dose is usually still enough to get dishes sparkling.
And buy bigger packs to get the best value. For example, Sainsbury’s all-in-one dish-washer tablets 60-pack is £5.60, which breaks down to 9.3p per tablet, whereas a 30-pack is £3.10, equalling 10.3p each.
STAINS FOILED: Roll a sheet of aluminium foil into a ball and pop it in the cutlery basket. The foil reacts with the detergent to help get rid of dull stains on silverware, leaving it shiny and bright.
LEMON SQUEEZY: If you have squeezed the juice from half a lemon, you can use the rest of it to clean your dishwasher.
Just pop it in and run the machine on its normal cycle.
The acid cuts through limescale and soap build-up to help keep the machine clean and running efficiently.
ACID NOUS: You can also give your dishwasher a good clean by putting a cup of white vinegar in a dish on the top shelf of the machine and running a hot cycle.
GREEN CLEAN: Unless dishes are heavily soiled, the eco function of your dishwasher will leave your pots and dishes spotless.
This cycle uses less water, and at a lower temperature, helping to reduce your water and energy bills.
FULL HOUSE: Make sure your dishwasher is full so you don’t run it more than is necessary.
Cutting out just one cycle a week knocks £12 a year off energy bills, says the Energy Saving Trust.
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