How Long Do Dishwashers Last?

If you’ve owned your dishwasher for a few years, you may be wondering how much longer it’s likely going to last. Compared to appliances like dryers and ovens, a dishwasher’s lifespan is on the shorter side, lasting on average around 10 years. While this is the average, several factors can influence how long your particular appliance will last, including usage, brand, and maintenance. In this guide, we take a closer look at what can affect your dishwasher’s lifespan and help you understand how to get the most out of your appliance. Let’s dive in!

Dishwasher Average Lifespan

Dishwashers generally last about 8–10 years, which is a lot shorter than the lifespan of an oven (around 16 years) or dryer (around 13 years). The reason for the relatively short lifespan is that dishwashers are constantly exposed to water and harsh chemicals, which can increase wear and tear. 

How Water Affects Appliance Lifespans

Appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers, don’t last as long as appliances like dryers and ovens, despite being built to the same standards. Water can have a few impacts on dishwasher longevity, including:

• Corrosion: The moisture in dishwashers can cause corrosion and rust in the metallic components as well as damage to the electrical circuits. 
• Degraded seals: Seals and gaskets can wear out over time, which can allow water to leak into internal parts of the dishwasher. 
• Mold and mildew: Pooling water can lead to mold and mildew growth, affecting the efficiency of the appliance’s performance and damaging seals. 

What Can Affect How Long Your Dishwasher Lasts?

While the average dishwasher lasts 8–10 years, that number can be heavily impacted by several factors. 

Frequency and Type of Use

A dishwasher that serves a large family and that runs multiple times a day will experience far more wear and tear than a dishwasher that only runs occasionally. This can shorten its lifespan and lead to it needing to be replaced earlier. Similarly, only running the dishwasher when full and choosing shorter or “eco” cycles whenever possible can also help to prolong the dishwasher’s life. 

Brand

Premium, high-quality brands like GE, Bosch, and Beko are likely to last longer than budget brands. 

Maintenance

Dishwasher maintenance can impact the lifespan of your dishwasher. Leaving minor issues unchecked can cause damage to other components, impacting the dishwasher’s longevity. 

Detergent

Many dishwashers recommend a specific brand of dishwasher detergent for optimal performance and longevity. Using the wrong brand can lead to residue and buildup, impacting the dishwasher’s performance and lifespan. 

Hard vs. Soft Water

The mineral content of the water in your area can affect your dishwasher’s lifespan. Hard water with a high mineral content can lead to scale and mineral buildup on the internal components, reducing efficiency and shortening how long the dishwasher lasts. 

How To Ensure Your Dishwasher Lasts

So, how can you make sure your precious dishwasher lasts as long as possible? Dishwashers are expensive appliances, so extending the lifespan will save you money in the long term. 

Clean Regularly

Keeping your dishwasher clean, particularly cleaning the filter regularly, is probably the most important thing you can do to extend your dishwasher’s lifespan. When the filter isn’t changed regularly, food debris begins to back up. And if left, this debris can begin to make its way into the dishwasher’s pump. This can block the pump mechanism, causing your dishwasher to struggle to remove water from the machine. All of this puts additional strain on all of the components, increasing the likelihood that your dishwasher will break down. 

Follow Brand Recommendations

Your dishwasher manual will include certain recommendations to ensure your appliance is operating efficiently and that it lasts as long as possible. Make sure you follow all recommendations regarding the frequency of filter changes and detergent usage to ensure your dishwasher lasts. 

Conduct Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is key to the long life of any appliance. If a minor issue crops up, either fix it yourself or call in a technician immediately. Ignoring the issue can mean that other components of your dishwasher have to work harder to compensate for the issue, causing excess wear and tear and a shortened lifespan. 

How To Know When It’s Time To Upgrade

If your dishwasher is getting close to the 8–10-year mark, it can be hard to know when it’s time to replace it. However, some telltale signs include:

• Performance Issues: If your dishwasher isn’t washing as well as it used to, despite having a clean filter, then it may be nearing the end of its life. 
• Leaks: A leaky dishwasher can damage your house and also cause additional damage to the dishwasher’s internal parts. Worn gaskets can be replaced, but if the leaks are happening frequently, it’s a good sign it’s time to upgrade. 
• Noisy Cycles: A noisy dishwasher indicates that the components are having to work hard to complete the wash cycle. This is often a sign your dishwasher is getting old. You may also notice this goes hand in hand with increased electricity usage. 
• Frequent Repairs: While the odd repair is to be expected, frequent repairs are a sign it’s time to upgrade. This is especially true if the cost of the repairs is close to half the cost or more of a replacement appliance!

How To Choose a Long-Lasting Dishwasher

When it’s time to buy a new dishwasher, there are some things that you should keep in mind.

• Research brands: Some dishwasher brands are known for their longevity, so do your research before you make your choice. The ideal replacement should have a long warranty to ensure you don’t have to worry about early breakdowns. 
• Read reviews: Customer reviews are the perfect way to find out what an appliance’s performance is actually like. When you’ve narrowed down your decision to a few models, make sure you thoroughly read customer reviews. 
• Check the features: Ensure that the dishwasher you buy is designed to fit your situation. For example, some dishwashers are specifically designed to handle hard water and will last longer in areas with high mineral content water.