You load your dishwasher rack as you always do, but when the glasses come out, they are cloudy, and the plates are still caked with last night's dinner. Before you start blaming your detergent, check something much smaller: the spray arm nozzles. According to Consumer Reports, food debris can clog these tiny openings, and the fix is just as simple: carefully clean each one with a toothpick or pipe cleaner. It's a five-minute job, and it's one of the easiest ways to help a dishwasher last longer.

Why spray arms get clogged in the first place
Most dishwashers have one spray arm below the bottom rack and another under the upper rack, with a few models adding a third arm near the top. Each arm sprays water through a row of small nozzle holes to clean the dishes, and food debris that clogs these nozzles can distort the spray pattern and reduce the dishwasher’s cleaning ability. According to the same Consumer Reports report, an expert who runs the outlet's dishwasher test lab recommends inspecting the spray arm holes every few months and clearing any debris gently. A widened or deformed hole can also disrupt the spray pattern.

The toothpick trick, step by step
The lower spray arm typically lifts off with a gentle tug, while the center or upper arm may require unscrewing from below the rack with a cross-head screwdriver. Once an arm is out, Consumer Reports recommends rinsing it under the faucet and checking for clogged holes, which can be carefully cleared with a toothpick or wooden skewer. The outlet’s testing expert recommends taking it slow and not making the holes any bigger, as that can impact the spray pattern. After clearing the holes, flow water through the arm again before reinstalling it to ensure that the flow is even.

Why hard water makes this more of an American problem
Food debris is one culprit, but mineral buildup is another, and the United States Geological Survey says it is a bigger issue in the United States than many people realize. Water hardness is a measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium, and according to the same USGS source, water counts as "hard" once it reaches 121 to 180 milligrams per liter, with anything above that considered "very hard." Hard water is especially common in the east-central and western parts of the country where the underlying rock is rich in carbonate minerals, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Discoloration and mineral residue can build up inside a dishwasher over time. The outlet suggests running a citric-acid-based cleaner through an empty machine once a month to keep the interior, pump, and spray arms free of buildup.

A vinegar soak for buildup a toothpick can't reach
If you can’t pick off the mineral scale, a quick soak can do the trick. According to Sciencing, an educational science resource, vinegar is a diluted version of acetic acid. When it comes into contact with calcium carbonate, the mineral that makes up limescale, it reacts and breaks down to form water and a soluble salt called calcium acetate that rinses away easily. Soak the arms in a bowl of warm water with a splash of white vinegar, scrub gently with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly before replacing them.

Don't skip the filter while you're in there
The spray arms aren’t the only thing you should be checking. Most dishwashers have a filter that captures food particles and debris during each wash cycle, says Consumer Reports. If that trapped debris isn’t cleaned out, it can circulate rather than drain away. Remove the filter, wash it under the tap, and replace it before closing the door.

Why this small habit is worth the effort
This kind of maintenance is good for more than a clean dish. ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the EPA and the Department of Energy, says that a certified dishwasher already uses less energy than washing by hand and can save a household about $220 a year in utility costs over handwashing. Keeping the dishwasher running as it was intended also matters for its longevity. According to Consumer Reports, there are practical ways owners can help a dishwasher last longer and avoid early repairs, and they include simple steps such as clearing the spray arms and cleaning the filter on a regular basis.

The bottom line
You don’t need to call a repair technician or spend money on an expensive cleaner to keep your dishwasher in good working condition. A little vinegar, a toothpick, and ten minutes every couple of months can get rid of the buildup that quietly grinds away at your machine. It is a small habit, but it protects an appliance you probably rely on every single day.