Quick hack to improve dishwasher performance.

Problem

Our dishwasher recently has been having a few problems. The symptoms are;

Grit left on glassware

Tablet not being washed out of container,

Inefficient cleaning, particularly of top tray. 

Loads not getting cleaned in a single wash. 

On removal of the spray arms (upper and lower) these have been frequently blocked by removed food,

This spray arm was being blocked frequently

Hypothesis

I believe that these problems have a common point of failure. Whilst we are good at emptying our filters, food is still passing through the filter and getting caught in the spray arms, this is difficult to remove, and degrades the performance of the washer. 

Filter assembly - showing holes large enough for sweetcorn to penetrate

The large holes in this filter system allow food particles through large enough to clog the spray arms. 

Solution

filter assembly, muslin square, cut down to size, and filter basket

Step 1 obtain a piece of muslin cloth, about the length of the filter, squared.

Step 2 remove the primary filter basket, from the filter as shown

Drape the cloth over the assembly

Step 3 drape the cloth over the filter assembly

reattach the basket over it.

Step 4 reinsert the filter basket, it should still clip in in the cloth is thin enough.

Step 5 replace the filter assembly. 

Results

We have run the dishwasher with the muslin cloth adding a filtration layer.  Whilst we have had to wash the filter more, it has paid off with cleaner glassware, less repeat cleaning, and a much smoother operation all round. Washing the filter more has meant rinsing more carefully, and once in the last week we have removed it, and washed the cloth out in the kitchen sink.  A lot more dirt has been caught using this filter.