Once you have your block salt softener in place then you need to make sure it is working effectively by clearing out any other calcium deposits hiding in your plumbing.

One of the worse affected devices for calcium deposits is the dishwasher, which can stop washing effectively if there are any blockages. These can be caused by food debris, or from calcium building up in hard water areas. Here is how to go about making sure it is in tip top form.

Check the filter

This is an unpleasant job but it has to be done. Clean it by soaking it in hot soda crystals and scrubbing the mesh to remove any build ups. Obviously remove any obvious debris.

Check the arm holes

This is another place that calcium build ups and food debris can lurk. Push a pin into the holes individually and run around the hole to see if there is any resistance. You may loosen any blockages, so tilt the arms to let any left over water flush the debris out.

Use a decalcifier

You can buy dishwasher cleaning kits in supermarkets. These simply get popped into an empty dishwasher on a normal hot cycle, to flush the cleaning chemicals through the mechanism. If you have had to invest in a water softener due to living in a hard water area then it is a good idea to use these one last time.

Use salt and rinse aid

It is important to continue to follow best practice for looking after your dishwasher. Use salt and rinse aid for best results.

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