You can purchase a wide range of Hotpoint Dishwashers from our on-line shop (shop4electricals.co.uk) at very competitive prices with quality service and technical support at all times.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Hotpoint Dishwasher

General Advice

What should not go into the dishwasher?

Lead crystal - may become cloudy or even break
Plastics - some plastics are heat sensitive and may melt or warp
Wood/bone handles - glued handles may become loose
Aluminium utensils - likely to darken
Cast iron - likely to rust
Pewter - likely to stain and discolour
Mixed metals

What temperature should dishes be washed at?

There is no ideal temperature for all loads.
Low temperatures reduce electricity costs
Low temperatures provide better care of dishes and glasses
High temperatures give better bleaching and grease removal

As a rough guide:

Glassware Lowest temperature consistent with good cleaning
Crockery Lightly soiled loads at 55C
Crockery Heavily soiled loads at 65C
Pots & Pans Wash at 65C or higher

Should I Use a Rinse Agent?
Rinse agents improve the drying process in the dishwasher as they cause the water to run off the load more easily, reducing the formation of streaks, spots and films.

Why Do I Need to Use Salt in my Dishwasher?
Salt is needed to ensure that your dishwasher's in-built water softener gives an optimum performance. You will especially need to use dishwasher specific salt if you live in a hard water area.

Hints and Tips

Preparation Hints

When collecting plates do not slide on top of each other as this often causes scratching of the glaze and damage to any patterns. Place the plates vertically on top of each other.
Do not stacks cups inside of each other
Always scrape lumps of food off plates before placing into the dishwasher to prevent the filter getting clogged.

Loading Hints

Always load the most heavily soiled items in the lower basket when using both baskets.
Never wash hand painted/antique china or expensive leads crystal in the dishwasher.
Don't allow plates to touch each other or stack items on top of each other - this stops the detergent solution from washing effectively and may also cause scratching.
When loading cups or mugs, ensure that the handles face in the same direction to maximise the available space.
Stack glasses and cups at an angle so that water can drain off.
Alternate cups and glasses to avoid scratching.
Hang gold or silver rimmed cups and mugs on stalks if these are provided in the dishwasher. This prevents damage to the finish of the rim.
Ensure that no item is placed in a position that will prevent the spray arm from rotating freely
Do not place wood or bone handled cutlery in the dishwasher in case the heat softens the glue for the handles and they become loose.
Do not allow cutlery made of different metals (e.g. stainless steel and silver) to come into contact in the cutlery basket.
Rinse silver items before placing them in the dishwasher as this will reduce the likelihood of tarnishing. This is particularly important if the items are soiled with egg or salt.
When putting cutlery into the basket mix the spoons, knives and forks. This will maximise the exposure of the cutlery to the detergent solution. Also, for safety load the knives with the blade pointing down.
Do not pack items too tightly. Glass or china could crack as the items expand on heating and plastic may become distorted.
Add the correct amount of detergent as specified by the detergent manufacturer into the dispenser. Ensure that dry detergent does not come into contact with cutlery.

Unloading Hints

Always empty the bottom basket first as if there is any water left on the items in the top basket it will not drip onto the items below.
Sometimes cutlery can begin to rust in the hot moist atmosphere of the drying cycle. Therefore, remove cutlery from the machine as quickly as possible after cycle completion or open the door after drying.
If you have put china items into the dishwasher then remove them one by one to avoid scratching.

Common Questions about Dishwashers

Glassware :

Food residues on glasses
Usually caused by food redepositing on the glasses during the main wash, mainly because the water spray is not reaching the soiled area. This could be due to non-rotation of the spray arm, excessive soil in the filter or insufficient detergent being used.

Spotting and film on glasses
Usually the result of failure to add salt to the salt container or insufficient salt levels. Could also be due to insufficient detergent or rinse aid or poor loading of the dishwasher

Iridescence (rainbow effect)
Usually the result of detergents with high levels of disilicate, very soft water or long cycles at high temperatures.

Scratch marks on glasses
Usually the result of allowing glasses to touch in the dishwasher or careless handling when loading and unloading.

How Can I Remove Cloudiness from Drinking Glasses That Does Not Come Off With Vinegar?
Cloudiness that does not come off with vinegar is the early stages of corrosion and is usually permanent and can be caused by a number of factors such as glass type, water hardness, wash temperature, drying conditions and detergent.

Can I Remove the Powdery Residue Left On Glasses and/or Cups?
Re-wash the load, paying particular attention to loading. Tall glasses should be placed near the centre of the machine to ensure good results. Old detergent that has been badly stored may not dissolve properly - always use fresh detergent.

Cutlery :

Stainless steel rusting
Usually the result of allowing the stainless steel to remain too long in the hot steamy atmosphere of the dishwasher or silver cutlery touching stainless steel in the appliance. Opening the door of the dishwasher early in the drying cycle will minimise the risk of rusting.

Cutlery Pitting
Usually the result of an electrolytic reaction caused by the touching of other metals such as silver. This could also be due to small imperfections in stainless steel which cause rusting. It is also recommended to rinse excess salty or acidic food from tableware before loading into the dishwasher.

Silver Tarnishing
Usually the result of sulphides or chlorides in the wash solution. This could also be due to silver cutlery touching stainless steel items or dry detergent poured onto wet cutlery.

Cookware :

Baked or dried on residues
Usually the result of incorrect wash programme, poor quality detergent, items poorly stacked or the spray arm rotation stopped by an obstruction.

Plastic :

Distortion of plastic
Usually the result of using plastic items that are not dishwasher safe, too high a wash temperature or squeezing plastic items into small spaces. Make sure you place plastic items in the upper basket away from any visible heating element.

China :

Residues on dishes
Usually caused by a cool or short wash cycle, insufficient detergent or a blocked filter. Also make sure that the spray arms are not blocked and can rotate freely.

Fading china patterns
Usually the result of very soft water and either an aggressive or using too much detergent. Unfortunately fading is permanent but switch to using a tablet instead of powdered detergents.

Scratches on plates
Usually the result of allowing the china to touch in the dishwasher or sliding plates when stacking them.

Metal marking
Usually the result of cutlery scraping against the glaze of the china in the dishwasher.

Failure to remove tea/coffee stains
Usually the result of poor quality detergent, hard water in the machine or a low temperature wash. Also avoid leaving tea/coffee to stand in the cup for long periods. Ensure that there is enough salt in the machine as well or alternatively rinse the cups before placing into the dishwasher.

The Dishwasher :

Oversudsing
This can be due to using a laundry or handwash detergent instead of a specific dishwasher detergent instead. It could also be due to excessive amounts of rinse aid in the dispenser or certain food soils that contain a high level of protein such as eggs.

White films
The most common cause of white film is the presence of limescale. Recommended approach is to purchase Hotpoint's own limescale and detergent remover powder (part number 089780) from the parts and accessories store here (link to accessories information page).

Odour
Usually the result of food decomposition during the washing and drying cycles or remains of food in the filter system. Recommended to purchase Hotpoint's own dishwasher deodorisers here (link to accessories information page).

Detergent Residues
Usually the result of using too much detergent or using tablets in small (4 place) dishwashers. Alternatively the spray arm could be blocked or not working effectively.

Drying :

Glasses and china not dry
Usually the result of low rinse aid levels or removing items before the drying cycle. Alternatively this could also be due to allowing water from the spray arm to fall onto the lower basket

This information is provided by the courtesy of Hotpoint.