We rely on our dishwashers to lessen our daily load of work and if the soap dispenser breaks or dysfunctions, the dishes come out greasy and dirty and may require to get washed again by hands. So what’s the solution in this case?
A broken soap dispenser doesn’t mean you have to replace the entire dishwasher. You can easily buy a soap dispenser and replace the broken one.
How To Use Dishwasher With Broken Soap Dispenser?
You can use your dishwasher if its soap dispenser is broken. You can throw your dishwasher pod right into the dishwasher along with the dishes. It won’t work as well as the soap dispenser, but it will get the job done.
Keep in mind that It is not recommended to keep using a dishwasher with a broken soap dispenser, so you should consider replacing the soap dispenser ASAP.
A detergent dispenser or a soap dispenser is designed in a way that it releases detergent evenly during the whole wash cycle into the main compartment where the dishes are loaded.
Typically a soap dispenser has two compartments; one for the pre-wash and the other for the main cycle. The compartment for pre-wash is unsealed, and the compartment that holds detergent for the main cycle is sealed.
If the soap dispenser breaks or malfunctions, the soap will not be dispensed evenly throughout the wash cycle, resulting in greasy and dirty dishes.
A soap dispenser can have several reasons for not functioning properly. It is necessary to identify the root cause of this problem before moving onto its solution.
Identifying The Issue
Always start with examining your dishwasher for properly identifying the issue.
If your soap dispenser is not working properly, it doesn’t necessarily entail that it is broken. It can have several problems. Let’s start with the first one.
Detergent Buildup In The Dispenser
A soap dispenser is filled with detergent during a wash cycle and if the soap is not dispensed out properly during the cycle, it will start to harden up and will clog the opening of the soap dispenser. Check the inlet valve of your dispenser to see there is lime formation there. The lime formation can be one of the reasons for clogging.
The newer models have systems in place to shoot water directly at the dispenser; this helps the dispenser in dispensing all of the detergents inside it.
The older models don’t have very powerful systems to make sure that all the detergent is dispensed. So, consumers who own older models are more likely to face this problem.
Once the dispenser is filled with old and dried detergent, you’ll have a hard time closing its lid. If the lid isn’t closed properly, all the detergent will flow out at the start of the washing cycle.
To clean the detergent residue, pour hot water on the lid and the inside of the dispenser, take a cloth or a brush and remove all the detergent residue.
If you face this problem often, you should clean the soap dispenser every week for a consistently smooth performance by your dishwasher.
Ruptured Spring
A tiny spring at the back of the dispenser helps its lid in popping up. This spring is responsible for opening the lid at the right time during the wash cycle so the dishes can get cleaned properly. This spring can rupture if you don’t handle it with care.
If this spring is broken or ruptured, the soap will not get dispensed at the right time. A ruptured spring can also be the cause of extra detergent buildup in the dispenser.
To test out if the spring is broken or not, just open the lid, and if it doesn’t pop up the way it should have, there is a good chance that the spring might be displaced or simply broken.
Get the necessary tools to pry open the lid and then take a look at the spring. If it is displaced, move it back to its original place. If you find a broken or a disfigured spring, you’ll have to replace it with a new one.
Loose Cap Of Rinse Aid Compartment
A rinse aid cap is the top part of a specific compartment for adding in a rinse-aid. The top part of your rinse aid compartment might be loose and it may be the cause of all the problems your dishwasher is facing.
Many dishwashers do not function properly unless this cap is screwed tightly back in place. To make sure that the cap is tightly closed, unscrew the cap and inspect it for any potential damage. If the cap is in perfect condition, screw it back with care.
If the cap is misshaped, you should consider replacing it.
Broken Dispenser Latch
Another reason for your dishwasher not to function properly can be a problematic dispenser latch. The latch can have buildup detergent on top, which might be preventing it from getting closed properly.
Take a closer look at the latch and try to determine if it is broken or misshaped. If the latch is broken, then you’ll probably have to replace the whole detergent dispenser.
The latch may also have some dried-up food particles inside that can be removed easily for properly closing it in place.
Problematic Motor
The wax motor is responsible for timing the wash cycle and dispensing the soap at the intended time. If the soap dispenser and the rinse aid compartment are in perfect condition, then you should check the wax motor to see if there is a problem with it.
If you are unable to determine the condition of your wax motor, contact a professional. The professional may recommend you to replace the wax motor, depending upon its condition.
Worn Out Rubbers
The rubbers inside the detergent dispenser (also known as the dispenser gasket) can wear out over time.
Worn out rubber gasket gets loose and allows the soap to leak through it. Water can also seep inside the detergent dispenser and dilute the soap. This dilution will cause the detergent to become ineffective.
The soap should be dispensed at a specific time in the wash cycle for maximum benefit. If the soap continuously seeps out from the loose sealing, the wash cycle will be much less effective and the dishes will not come out squeaky clean.
You can always replace the dispenser gasket if it is worn out or loose.
Replacing The Soap Dispenser
You can easily order a new soap dispenser for your dishwasher from various online stores. Once your soap dispenser arrives, you can unscrew the back of your dishwasher’s door and replace the faulty dispenser with the new one.
You can always get professional help if you are unable to do it yourself.
Final Verdict
Dishwashers and all the other machines that you use very frequently should be well cared for. They should be well maintained and in case of any problems, you should get them tested professionally
