The Dish on Dishwashers

How much would it take to make dish washing easier? Only about eight inches!

It's simple. Raise your dishwasher eight inches off the floor and you'll feel like you have cut your dish chores in half. You won't have to bend and stoop so much, and that will make all the difference. While you're at it, leave a space next to the dishwasher where you can pull up a chair. Then, an older relative can sit down to load and unload dishes. Or, a family member who uses a wheelchair will be able to help with kitchen chores.

Are you shopping for a new dishwasher? Keep these ideas in mind when you go to the store:

1. Look for button controls. Some dishwashers have a large knob that you have to turn to start the wash cycle. These knobs are hard to handle for people with small hands. They can be impossible for those who have arthritis. A plastic pad with push buttons is a better choice.
2. Take your dishwasher shelves out for a spin before you hand over your money. Make sure you can slide them in and out without any trouble. You need to be able to pull each shelf all the way out, even when it is full. That's the only way you'll reach every dish.
3. Go for a quiet dishwasher. Buy an "ultra quiet" one if you can find it. These washers won't get on your nerves. You'll still be able to talk on the phone while they do their thing. Is there a family member who has trouble hearing over background noise? He or she will like the quiet model too.

Why Settle for Average?

Try thinking "outside the box" when you go shopping for a dishwasher. It might help you find a unit that's best for you.

Have all the kids moved out of the house? If so, why not buy a smaller dishwasher? It will use less water and power. It will take up less space. And, you can put it wherever you want. Try it on a countertop. Or, mount it on the wall at a comfortable height. You'll never have to bend over to get a clean fork.

Some dishwashers fit into what looks like a regular kitchen drawer. You load these "dish drawers" by sliding them out of your cabinet. If one is too small, buy two! A unit that has two drawers holds as many dishes as your old washer.