As a home trends writer, it’s my job to test out household hacks. My at-home testing is usually pretty uneventful, except for that time last summer when I nearly broke my 7-year-old dishwasher while testing various detergent tablets (oops!).
The machine, which had seen daily or every-other-day use up till then, was clearly not pleased to be on its third cycle of the day. When the door started leaking, I knew my dishwasher had made its grievances known. Thankfully, after a well-deserved rest and a return to a more routine schedule, my dishwasher was working just fine again.
In hindsight, I shouldn’t have subjected any of my own home appliances to that level of testing. But the good news is, the increased workload wasn’t enough to do any real damage. According to Hannah Pregont, creative director at appliance marketplace AJ Madison, “Frequency alone isn’t what causes early failure; poor maintenance, hard water, low-quality detergent, and overloading are far more damaging. In many cases, dishwashers that are used regularly actually age better than those that sit idle.”
How Long Do Dishwashers Last?
Still, kitchen appliances do have a lifespan. Most dishwashers last between 8 and 12 years, although it’s less about the time and more about the number of wash cycles, says Dennis Godynuk, owner and licensed appliance technician at Comfort Appliance Repair of Tennessee. “Run it twice a day, and you’ll rack up miles faster,” he explains, adding that with good care and maintenance, you can still get a good 10 years out of it.
While I still cringe when I think back to how many “miles” my dishwasher racked up last summer, I’m confident I have at least a few more good years with it before it needs to be replaced.
What Happens to a Dishwasher with Regular Use?
It’s important to know that usage alone does not age a dishwasher. “When performance declines, it’s almost always due to buildup or blockage, such as a clogged filter, obstructed spray arms, or grease and mineral residue, rather than mechanical wear,” Pregont says.
So go ahead and run it every day. If it’s in need of some TLC, Godynuk says you might notice mineral scale buildup on the heater, chipped or rusted dish racks, or leaky gaskets. It’s worth checking your manual to see what, if anything, can be fixed or replaced, especially if you’re still under warranty.
There’s also the issue of water and energy use. Godynuk says that newer dishwashers are more efficient than older models, but still use about three to five gallons and 1 kWh per load, so make sure you fill the dishwasher for every cycle. My water usage was definitely higher last summer, even though I was using the eco-cycle, which Godynuk recommends. (It was humbling to receive a “You OK?” letter from the Department of Environmental Protection recommending an inspection for leaks in the house due to unusual water usage. Yikes!).
How to Take Care of a Dishwasher So It Lasts Longer
I’m aware that my dishwasher is likely on the back end of its life, but I’m determined to keep it around for as long as possible. I even dug out the owner’s manual to read up on proper maintenance! I recommend you do the same because even with all the how-to videos available on dishwasher maintenance, it’s important to follow the best practices for your own model so you won’t unwittingly void any warranties. Here are some expert tips to help pretty much every dishwasher run more smoothly:
How to Choose a Dishwasher That’s Made to Last
When it’s my dishwasher’s time to go, I want to make sure I buy a replacement that will also last a decade or more. Here’s what the pros told me to look for:
On her last point, it’s important that a dishwasher is easy enough to clean so you can do so regularly (without breaking your back!). “With proper maintenance, a heavily used dishwasher can clean just as effectively years into its lifespan,” Pregont says.
How often do you run your dishwasher? Let us know in the comments below!
