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We’re five weeks into this school year, so our routine is in full swing.
Oh my word, routine makes such a difference.
As you know, the biggest deal breaker in my personal housekeeping routine is doing the dishes. It’s the one habit that keeps our house out of chaos.
So, when Maytag asked me to share how I’m relying on my Maytag kitchen appliances in this back-to-school season, I was happy to do it.
You may remember I served as a Maytag Kitchen Ambassador last fall. Almost a year later, I can say that I’m still in love with my appliances.
And that affair with my dishwasher? It’s still totally hot and heavy. When asked which appliance I depend on the most to keep things going in our home, that’s the one that comes to mind first.
To prove just how much I depend on it, I took pictures last week that show I really, truly don’t pre-rinse my dishes. By not pre-rinsing, I save time, water, and my own sanity.
Plus, I get to do a little dance of joy every time I open the dishwasher and see that all the gunk and ickyness really did come clean.
I just love dancing with joy.
I did the dishes every night back when I didn’t have such a fantabulous dishwasher. Back when I did have to pre-rinse and pre-scrape and all. Doing the dishes is a habit that has to be done.
But . . . having a quality appliance that makes what I already have to do SOOO much easier is AWESOME.
Not that EVERYthing comes off every time. I occasionally load it wrong and put two dishes too close together for water to get to them.
And sometimes I burn things. Last week I didn’t completely scorch, but did slightly burn the bottom of some lovely cheesy chicken and rice soup.
Even though it required some fingernail flicking to get that small amount off, I didn’t mind since I had avoided the whole soak-it-forever-and-then-hand-wash-the-soaked-ickiness thing.
See why I’m still in love?
The dishwasher is my stand-out fave appliance, but I also want to mention my new back-to-school-related lightbulb moment about my Maytag fridge. The water dispenser has a measuring/auto-dispensing feature that I thought was cool, but hadn’t utilized much.
My kids love it and use it all the time for fun, but I only appreciated it when I didn’t have a clean measuring cup or when I was being funny and telling guests they were each allowed exactly 8 ounces of water.
But since I’ve been using re-usable water bottles in my kids’ lunches this year, I’ve seen the real beauty of this water-dispensing system.
Many sporty water bottles are too tall to push on the thingamabob while also keeping the mouth of the bottle in the proper place.
I can just put the bottle under the spout and push the button for it to fill. And . . . I don’t have to stand there and hold the bottle! It only took me (slightly) less than a year to figure that out!
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Maytag. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. The opinions and experiences and dirty dishes are all mine.
Kristy K. James says
I need to have a look at Maytag. Since I have to (or FEEL like I have to) wash and rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I decided it made more sense to just hand wash them and let my son dry them right out of the drainer. I could totally get into use, load, push a button. Thanks for letting me know that there could be an end to the whole dishwater hands thing. 🙂
Dana White says
Make sure you’re using all the settings on your current dishwasher (like jet clean, heavy, etc) and use the more expensive detergent packs. I started doing all that after visiting the Maytag labs and even though my dishwasher was great before, all of that made a huge difference.
Kristy K. James says
I will give those suggestions a try, thanks! It would be nice to actually use the dishwasher for a change. 🙂
Kristy K. James says
Well… Old habits die hard and I’m used to hand washing and drying. I finally gave your suggestions a try tonight. Took me long enough didn’t it? 🙂 Old habits die hard and I’m used to hand washing and drying. I’m going to assume that the powdery white film on some of the items was because I also tried the white vinegar suggested by other posters. I would guess as seldom as I’ve used the machine – I wouldn’t think a full dozen times in almost six years – there might have been some hard water build up from that and the previous owners. So I’m running everything through again.
However…I am impressed. I waited until everything was dried on (not actual food, but the residue)…and it cleaned everything off. I was stunned. I think those little packets of detergent are going to be my new favorite invention. 🙂
Kristy K. James says
Obviously I’m too tired and shouldn’t have tried a cut and paste….
Chelsey Smith says
What detergent do you use, or what did Maytag recommend?
Dana White says
When I went to the labs, they wouldn’t give a definite brand recommendation, but said to spend money on detergent. And they said that due to changes in dishwasher detergent in recent years, companies were putting all their “science” into the new packs and tablets rather than into the powders or liquids. So I use Cascade or Finish pacs/tablets, whichever one is on sale. Not skimping on detergent also made a big difference.
Ceri says
hum didn’t know that what’s what they were doing with the technology going to the tablets and packs. They are SO expensive! Have you ever tried the Costco brand packs? I feel like the old dishwasher wont get the pack all dissolved. Maybe I will have to rethink that theory….
Dana White says
Are you using the extra-hot setting if you have one? I’d try that.
Ceri says
I keep my water in my house hot, dishwasher is old turn dial, so no settings. 🙁 I also make sure to run for a min before I start so the water going in is HOT.
Dana White says
And Costco does coupons regularly for the Cascade or Finish packs, so they end up being a decent price. And even though I’m ultra-cheap, I’ve decided it’s worth it.
Ceri says
I will watch for those in my coupon book. Did you know you don’t need the book anymore?? clipless coupons! 🙂
Ilse says
Love this! I am on a hunt for a really good dishwasher. What is the model name & model # of your dishwasher?
Dana White says
It’s the Maytag jetclean model MDB8959SAS.
Ilse says
Thank you!
Ceri says
So does your soap still have phosphates in it? Just wondering. I buy the phosphate free stuff, and I think gunk builds up in my crapy dishwasher. And I PRE-RINSE. Do you clean your dishwasher out? We have a fancy one at work, and I will pull the filter screen out and rinse it every once in a while, it is NASTY. They also have a basket stuff collects in that you can empty…. gross!
Dana White says
The phosphates were banned back in 2010, which is why dishwasher detergent suddenly stopped working as well.At the labs, they explained that detergent companies are putting all their money into improving the tablets rather than into the powders and gels, so it’s worth it to pay extra and get the packs/tablets. I have some dishwasher cleaner (but haven’t actually used it!), and mine does have a garbage disposal in it I believe. But yes, the ones with a filter do have to be cleaned out.
Just Laura says
Hmm… My dishwasher stinks, but I’ve never had a Maytag. I have lived here five years and am on my fifth dishwasher. The current one is a Whirlpool. I think the overwhelming problem with mine is that I need a new well (which is mad expensive) and I just don’t have enough water pressure for the dishwasher to work right. I also have hard water.
Do you know if the Maytag fills the tank until it’s full or is there a time limit? (Mine is never filled by the time limit since we have such low pressure.)
Also, do you have hard water and do you know how to accommodate that?
And which more expensive detergent packs? I tried Finish with the red ball and the red part just didn’t dissolve and my dishes and dishwasher insides were caked with red gunk… yucky..
And do you know how to get gunk out of the jet arms? My Whirlpool has two arms (one for each rack) and it always gets stopped up with the ickiest stuff, like oatmeal or worse. That may also be due to the water pressure. I’m forever cleaning it out with paper clips.
Dana White says
Hmmm. I don’t know the answer to your questions, but it does sound like it has something to do with the well. There are “dishwasher cleaners” you can use, like Affresh.
Kate says
Freaking, freaking jealous of your dishwasher. Although, I lucked out and hubs did most of the dishes last night AND tonight, which I finished, and we’re now on something like 8 out of 9 nights in a row that it’s been all done before bed, which is UNHEARD OF in our house. You inspired me, though it still took way too long to get my be-hind into action, lol.
Lisa Marie says
I too love my Maytag dishwasher. I recommend a Maytag to everyone. People don’t believe I don’t rinse and dishes come clean. Mine is an older one with the tower. Dishwashers are my favorite appliance although whenever I say that I say what would I do without a fridge, or washing machine aren’t they more important than a dishwasher?
I often say I hope this dishwasher never breaks because it cleans so good and have never had another brand dishwasher that has cleaned as good. It is good to hear a good recommendation about the new Maytags.
Dana White says
I love hearing this!
Chrissy says
No way!!! SEriously!!! I really need to look into getting a Maytag!