A Dishwasher is a precision appliance. Use it right and it performs brilliantly for years. Use it wrong and you get poor results, damaged utensils, or a machine that needs repairs early. This is the complete guide for Indian households — what to do, what not to do, and why each rule matters.
What to Put In — and What to Keep Out
✓Stainless steel thali, katori, dabba
✓Steel kadai (single-piece body)
✓Pressure cooker body (metal only)
✓Steel tawa (not cast iron)
✓All cutlery — spoons, forks, ladles
✓Glasses and ceramic cups
✓Borosil and heat-resistant glass
✓Melamine plates (cool/normal cycle)
✓Food-grade plastic (PP marked)
✓Non-stick with intact coating
✗Cast iron kadai, tawa, or cookware
✗Copper and brass vessels
✗Pressure cooker rubber gasket
✗Non-stick with scratched coating
✗Aluminium vessels and pots
✗Wooden ladles and spatulas
✗Crystal glassware
✗Terracotta, clay, ceramic pots
✗Items with bone or wood handles
✗Thin plastic containers (may warp)
Loading Do's and Don'ts
✓Scrape solid food off before loading — no need to rinse
✓Place bowls and katoris angled, face down
✓Load kadai face-down at an angle on bottom rack
✓Stand thalis vertically in plate slots
✓Check spray arms spin freely before starting
✓Leave space between items for water circulation
✓Use the right amount of detergent — no more
✓Keep glasses inverted in cup holders
✗Don't pre-rinse dishes under the tap
✗Don't place bowls right-side up (they pool water)
✗Don't overload — packed = poorly cleaned
✗Don't let utensils block the spray arms
✗Don't let glasses or cups touch each other
✗Don't use regular dishwash liquid — use Dishwasher detergent only
✗Don't put large items on the top rack
✗Don't place sharp knives point-up in the basket
Detergent Do's and Don'ts
This is where many users go wrong. Dishwashers require specific Dishwasher detergent — not regular liquid dishwash soap (like Vim or Pril). Regular soap produces massive amounts of foam that can overflow and damage the machine.
✓Dishwasher tablets (all-in-one pods)
✓Dishwasher gel or liquid detergent (in dispenser)
✓Dishwasher powder (in dispenser, not sprinkled loose)
✓Rinse aid (separate compartment) for streak-free drying
✓Dishwasher salt in hard water areas
✗Regular liquid dishwash soap (Vim, Pril, etc.)
✗Handwash or body soap
✗Laundry detergent
✗Baking soda or vinegar alone (occasional rinse only)
✗More detergent than recommended — causes residue
Maintenance Do's and Don'ts
✓Clean the filter every 2–4 weeks
✓Wipe door seals monthly with a damp cloth
✓Run a hot empty cycle with Dishwasher cleaner monthly
✓Check and top up rinse aid every month
✓Inspect spray arm holes — unblock with a toothpick if clogged
✗Don't ignore the filter — clogs reduce cleaning effectiveness
✗Don't open mid-cycle unless necessary
✗Don't leave wet dishes sitting for hours after cycle ends
✗Don't run with a nearly empty load — wait for a full load
✗Don't ignore error codes — refer to the manual immediately
Indian Kitchen Tip
If your area has hard water (most cities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra do), use Dishwasher salt in the salt compartment. Hard water causes white mineral deposits on steel utensils. Salt softens the water inside the machine and prevents this. This is separate from detergent and must be refilled every few weeks.
Follow these rules and your NOVÁK runs beautifully.
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