8 Essential Commercial Dishwasher Maintenance Tips Every Kitchen Should Know

Your commercial dishwasher is the unsung hero of the kitchen. It powers through piles of dishes, glassware, and utensils, helping you keep up with rushes and stay in compliance with health codes. But like any hard-working piece of equipment, it needs a little attention to keep doing its job right.

At EnviroCare, we’re all about making sure your equipment works for you—not against you. Whether you’re running a restaurant, school, retirement community, or hospital kitchen, here are eight simple but essential maintenance tips to keep your dishwasher performing at its best.

1. Check and Clean the Filters Daily

Your dishwasher’s filters catch all the food scraps, debris, and gunk that can clog up the works. If you’re not checking and rinsing them every day, you’re asking for trouble—slow drainage, odors, and even damage to internal components. Quick rinse, big payoff.

2. Wipe Down the Interior After Each Shift

Leftover grease and residue can build up fast inside the tank. A daily wipe-down of the walls, door seals, and spray arms keeps your machine clean and hygienic—and helps you spot any leaks or issues early.

3. Inspect the Spray Arms Regularly

If your dishes aren’t getting fully clean, clogged spray arms are often to blame. Remove them and check for mineral buildup or debris in the nozzles. A quick soak and scrub can restore full cleaning power.

4. Keep an Eye on Water Temperature

Consistent high heat is key to proper sanitation. Most commercial dishwashers need to maintain a rinse temperature of at least 180°F. If your readings start to dip, don’t ignore it—it could mean your heating element is struggling and needs service.

5. Use the Right Detergents and Rinse Aids

Using the wrong chemicals—or the right ones in the wrong amounts—can cause buildup, poor cleaning, and even damage your machine. Always use products recommended for commercial systems, and calibrate your dispensers regularly for proper dosing.

6. Delime on a Routine Schedule

Minerals in hard water can build up quickly, especially around heating elements and jets. Deliming isn’t just about aesthetics—it prevents corrosion, improves cleaning performance, and extends the life of your dishwasher. If you're in a hard water area, this should be a monthly ritual.

7. Leave the Door Ajar After Use

This one’s easy and often overlooked. After the last wash of the day, prop the door open to let the interior dry completely. It helps prevent mold, mildew, and funky smells from taking over.

8. Schedule Regular Preventative Maintenance

No surprise here—your dishwasher lasts longer and runs more efficiently when it’s professionally maintained. At EnviroCare, our preventative maintenance plans help you avoid surprise breakdowns, expensive emergency calls, and downtime you just can’t afford.

Let’s Keep Things Running Smoothly

You rely on your dishwasher to perform day in and day out. These small, consistent maintenance habits can make a big difference in the long-term reliability of your equipment. But you don’t have to go it alone—our team is here to help you stay ahead of the problems, not just respond to them.

Ready to give your dishwasher some well-deserved care? Schedule a maintenance check with EnviroCare today.