If you have a dishwasher with a broken soap dispenser, you might wonder if it is repairable or not. Well, the good news is it is not only repairable but usable without a repair.
You can normally use a dishwasher even if its soap dispenser is broken. To do that, you must put detergent or powdered soap on the dishes instead of on the dispenser.
However, experts would suggest repairing it. Using a dishwasher with a broken soap dispenser requires more water than usual. And not knowing facts like these can get you into trouble. So, keep reading to learn more on how to use dishwasher with broken soap dispenser!
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What Causes Broken Soap Dispenser In Dishwasher?
An electric dishwasher is a complex device. When one of its crucial components, such as the soap dispenser, starts to malfunction, it is often hard to trace the causes. Below are a few possible reasons behind a broken soap dispenser in a dishwasher:
Misplaced Dishes
Sometimes if you put the dishes in a manner that blocks the rotation of the upper motor of the dishwasher, its working cycle gets hampered. As a result, the soap dispenser does not function and might get broken.
Blocked the Dispenser Gate
After you turn on your dishwasher, the soap dispenser opens its gate to drop the dishwasher pod. If there is a big dish just in front of the gate, it cannot open itself to drop the pod. Thus, the dispenser fails to work.
Broken Spring
There is at least one spring attached to the soap dispenser’s opener. If any of those springs gets damaged, the dispenser might not open properly. As a result, when you use the dishwasher, it does not function properly.
How To Use A Dishwasher With A Broken Soap Dispenser?
Most people do not know that dishwashers with broken soap dispensers are usable. Though they do not remain as efficient as before, it still gets the job done. And there are numerous ways you can use it.
Apply Liquid or Powder Dishwasher on the Dishes
After you set all the dishes inside the dishwasher, take some dishwashing detergent and apply them in reasonable amounts to every dish. This will help wash the dishes perfectly even if the soap dispenser is broken.
Rewashing in the Dishwasher
If the dishes seem unclean after washing once, you can consider washing them again. But his method is not appropriate for long-term or repeated usage because it wastes a huge amount of water.
You should only follow this option when you are out of dishwashing liquids/powders while your soap dispenser is broken.
Hot Water in the Soap Dispenser
Putting hot water in the soap dispenser can help melt the dishwasher pod easily. So if your soap dispenser is broken, you can apply heated water with a dishwasher pod there.
How To Fix Broken Soap Dispenser In A Dishwasher
In the majority of the cases, the soap dispenser gets broken when its spring becomes out of place. You can fix it very easily. Below is a step-by-step that covers the reinstallation of the spring in a soap dispenser:
Step 1: Take Out the Spring
Push the door outwards with your two thumbs. Also, try to lift it up with your other fingers from the lower end of the door. Once the door comes out, the spring will come out as well.
Step 2: Reinstall the Spring
To do this, insert the spring’s short end on the door and the long end on the body. And finally, put the door back into its original position.
How To Replace Broken Soap Dispenser In A Dishwasher
If you want to replace the broken soap dispenser, you need to open the dishwasher’s gate to pull out the soap dispenser. Then you can install a new one there.
To do that, you just need a star head and a flat head screwdriver for it. Here is a step-by-step guide for it:
Step 1: Remove the Dishwasher Gate’s Cover
First, make sure that the dishwasher is turned off. Then open its gate and loosen all the screws that connect the cover. Now the cover should come out easily as you pull it towards you.
Step 2: Disconnect the Soap Dispenser
You will see two wires at the back of the soap dispenser. They are connected to the motor and the rinse sensor. You have to pull out these wires.
Step 3: Pull Out the Broken Soap Dispenser
Now with the help of a flathead screwdriver, you need to separate the soap dispenser. It can also be done without a screwdriver, but it is not recommended to do it with your bare hands. Because if you push/pull it more hard than necessary, it might get damaged.
Step 4: Insert the New Soap Dispenser
You just have to follow the previous steps now, but backward. Inserting the soap dispenser is rather easy and does not require any tools. And don’t forget to connect the two wires you initially disconnected.
Step 5: Attach the Door Cover
Reinstall the outer door with the help of the starhead screwdriver. Before doing it, make sure the wires are accurately connected with the new soap dispenser.
Is It Safe Using A Dishwasher With Broken Soap Dispenser?
In most cases, throwing soap into the bottom of the dishwasher before turning it on allows you to wash for years, even with a damaged dispenser. But, there are some downsides to it.
More Water Consumption
A broken soap dispenser does not release enough soap to clean the dishes thoroughly. As a result, the dishes need rewash which in turn requires an additional amount of water. Due to this, your water bills will increase.
Unclean Dishes
Another drawback is that cleaning might not be as efficient as you wish it to be. Since you are having a broken soap dispenser, the dishes might not be getting enough cleaning ingredients to wash off their stains.
You May Also Read: What Happens If You Run Dishwasher Without Water?
Conclusion
A broken soap dispenser is not hard to fix. Sometimes you can even use your dishwasher that has a broken dishwasher in it, but it will cost you more water.
So experts suggest you rather fix it. Thankfully the process of how to use dishwasher with broken soap dispenser turns out to be very easy if you follow the above write-up. And you can do it with the help of two tools only: a flathead screwdriver and a spearhead or a spiral screwdriver.
And all of the likely causes of this condition have been explained above. With these various possible solutions, you may try DIY without spending a dime on professional services.
