British Gas has offered guidance for households using dishwashers, addressing the frustrating problem of food residue remaining after a wash cycle. An engineer suggests there may be a straightforward reason behind this issue, along with an easy solution.
In a Facebook post, British Gas highlighted that blockages around the spray arms might be causing the trouble. The energy supplier said: “Tired of your dishwasher leaving bits of food behind? Before you run another cycle, check your spray arms for blockages!”
In the video, a British Gas engineer showed how to perform this inspection. He advised customers: “If your dishwasher is leaving food on the plates, check this before you run it again. Don’t waste electricity running a second cycle.
“The problem is usually your spray arms. Hard water scale and tiny bits of food block the water jets, meaning your dishes don’t get a proper wash. You can actually just pop these arms right off.
“Take a pin or a toothpick and poke it through the blocked holes to clean them out. Give the arm a flush under the tap and clip it back in. You get a perfect clean first time, saving energy and water.”
Homeowners can find more cleaning tips on the British Gas website. Publishing a rundown of spring-cleaning tasks, the experts identified various kitchen appliances that require routine maintenance. British Gas said: “Fridge and freezer – remove old food, clean shelves and defrost your freezer.
“Oven and microwave – clean out food debris and wipe down the surfaces. Dishwasher – clean the filter and wipe down the seals on the door. Washing machine – run an empty cycle with white vinegar to remove any mould.”
British Gas also advised customers to check their boiler, radiators, thermostat, plumbing, and electrics. The full checklist is available online, reports the Mirror.
Most supermarkets sell dishwasher cleaner designed for regular use. For instance, Tesco sells Tesco Dishwasher Cleaner for £2.70. The description claims: “Eliminates grease and limescale. Helps prevent drain blockages. Tesco dishwasher cleaner. Use once a month for a healthier machine.”
A customer wrote: “This product left my dishwasher sparkling clean and a lovely fresh smell.” A second shopper said: “Keeps your dishes sparking clean! Great quality; use it monthly to keep the machine fresh.
“Would highly recommend.” Another replied: “Cleaned dishwasher perfectly, smelled clean afterwards. Good price compared to market leader. Value for money.”
However, not everyone was impressed. Someone else claimed: “Left a terrible smell in machine which passed on to all utensils and food.”