How do you know when you need a new dishwasher? Dishwashers are a staple appliance in most households in the UK. When you've got a busy lifestyle, having a dishwasher helps to take care of one of the household chores you dislike the most. Washing up was placed in the top 10 least favourite chores when 2000 Brits were surveyed. Dishwashers first became popular in the UK in the 1950s and it's believed that as of 2023, 49.5% of all households in the UK have a dishwasher.

As well as taking away one of the most hated chores, it has been proven that on average, dishwashers are four times more effective than handwashing. It's also a great way to save both time and water. A good dishwasher should last approximately 8-10 years, as long as it's maintained regularly. So how do you know when it's time for a new dishwasher?

How do you know when you need a new dishwasher?

How do you know when you need a new dishwasher? Infographic from Home Feeling.

You may not want to admit that you need a new dishwasher, but there will be signs if yours is starting to give up the ghost.

You've found a leak

Obvious signs of a leak include:

  • puddles on the floor near the dishwasher
  • damp in neighbouring cupboards
  • rust inside the dishwasher

Depending on the cause of the leak, it could be an easy fix. On the other hand, it could be a very costly repair and a new dishwasher would be more beneficial.

The door isn't closing

If you're finding that the dishwasher door isn't closing properly, then the first thing you must do is check there is nothing blocking it. This could be something as simple as a rogue utensil. Next, you should check the latch on the door. If the latch is faulty and is the reason why your dishwasher door isn't closing, them it may be repairable. Depending on the age of the dishwasher, this could be an easy repair.

Unfortunately, if your dishwasher door has warped then this is irreparable. Warped doors can't be fixed and your only option would be to buy a new dishwasher.

Your dishes are cold

If you take your dishes out of the dishwasher straight after the cycle has finished, they should be warm. Dishwashers have a heating element which heats the water during the wash and rinse cycles. If this is broke, then the water won't heat up. This then means that you won't be getting a hygienic clean with cold water.

This particular issue can be fixed, however you will need to decide if the cost of the repair is worth it. If you have an older dishwasher, then the parts needed may no longer be in production, hard to source and may be costly.

Your dishes are coming out dirty

If you've noticed that your dishwasher isn't performing as it should; if you're finding that your dishes are coming out spotty or dirt, then you must check the following:

  • make sure you're using the correct detergent
  • ensure that you are loading the dishwasher properly and efficiently
  • ensure that you're rinsing the dishes before loading them and they are not caked with food

If you're doing any of the above wrong, then this could be an easy fix. You may not need to invest in a new dishwasher. However, if you have eliminated these three causes and your dishes are still coming out spotty or dirty then your dishwasher may be malfunctioning. It may be worth calling an engineer out to investigate. From here, you can decide if the cost of repair is worth it.

The drain is blocked

Are you finding that you're opening your dishwasher at the end of a cycle to pools of water? If water isn't draining after a cycle, then there's a high chance that the drain is blocked.

First of all, you'll need to check the drain for anything obvious that may be blocking it such as bits of food. If the drain appears to be clear, then you can try to clean it with appropriate products. Make sure that any cleaning products you use are designed especially for use in dishwashers. If cleaning doesn't work, then that is a sign that there is a bigger problem. You would be better off investing in a new dishwasher.

How do you know when you need a new dishwasher? Integrated dishwasher. Home Feeling.

How do I choose a new dishwasher?

If you've come to the decision that you need to buy a new dishwasher, then there are a few different aspects that you need to think about. We have a great range of dishwashers here at Home Feeling, you just need to find the one that is right for you. Things you need to think about include:

  • Freestanding or integrated? Which option is best for your kitchen - do you want the dishwasher to be on display or integrated so it looks like part of the units.
  • How many place settings do you need? If you live alone, then you won't need to go for a dishwasher that has 14 place settings. However, this would be perfect for a family of 5.
  • Slimline or standard? How much space do you have for your dishwasher? Slimline dishwashers are much narrower than standard sizes, so you can fit them in smaller spaces. These smaller capacity dishwashers are also better for smaller households.

You can shop Home Feeling's range of dishwashers here.