A British Gas engineer has shared a straightforward dishwasher cleaning tip that can help tackle food residue and reduce household expenses. The advice focuses on a common issue many people face: dishes still covered in food particles after a wash cycle.
The Cause of Food Residue
According to British Gas, the problem often lies in blocked spray arms. In a Facebook post, the energy supplier explained that blockages around these components can prevent water from reaching all areas, leaving food behind. The post stated: "Tired of your dishwasher leaving bits of food behind? Before you run another cycle, check your spray arms for blockages!"
How to Fix It
A British Gas engineer demonstrated the inspection process in a video. He advised customers to avoid running a second cycle unnecessarily, which wastes electricity. Instead, he recommended checking the spray arms first.
"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," he said. "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."
Additional Cleaning Tips
British Gas also published a spring-cleaning checklist for kitchen appliances. The list includes:
- Fridge and freezer: Remove old food, clean shelves, and defrost the freezer.
- Oven and microwave: Clean out food debris and wipe down surfaces.
- Dishwasher: Clean the filter and wipe down door seals.
- Washing machine: Run an empty cycle with white vinegar to remove mould.
The company also advised checking the boiler, radiators, thermostat, plumbing, and electrics. The full checklist is available on the British Gas website.
Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners
Many supermarkets sell dishwasher cleaners for regular maintenance. For example, Tesco offers Tesco Dishwasher Cleaner for £2.70, which claims to eliminate grease and limescale and prevent drain blockages. The product recommends use once a month.
Customer reviews are mixed. One satisfied user wrote: "This product left my dishwasher sparkling clean and a lovely fresh smell." Another said: "Keeps your dishes sparkling clean! Great quality; use it monthly to keep the machine fresh. Would highly recommend." A third added: "Cleaned dishwasher perfectly, smelled clean afterwards. Good price compared to market leader. Value for money." However, one customer reported a negative experience: "Left a terrible smell in machine which passed on to all utensils and food."
