Vedika Global Group

Hi, I’m Rachel, and I rely heavily on my Electrolux dishwasher to keep up with my family’s non-stop kitchen mess. With two kids and a busy job, I don’t have the time or patience to hand-wash dishes every night. That’s why I was so disappointed when I started noticing cloudy glasses, unclean plates, and even leftover food bits stuck to dishes after a full wash cycle.

At first, I assumed it was a detergent issue or maybe just a bad cycle setting. But after a few more washes, it became clear something was wrong. The dishwasher was running, but the cleaning results were terrible. That’s when my neighbor, Alan, asked if I had checked the spray arms. I didn’t even know what those were, let alone how to clean them.

He then recommended a website called ManyManuals, which, according to him, helped him fix his washing machine without calling a technician. Skeptical but curious, I gave it a try — and honestly, I’m so glad I did.

Discovering ManyManuals and Finding My Dishwasher’s Manual

I visited manymanuals, typed in my Electrolux dishwasher’s model number (thankfully still visible on the sticker inside the door), and there it was — the full user manual, ready to download for free.

I found a section titled "Cleaning the Spray Arms" and immediately realized that this was something I had completely overlooked since installing the dishwasher nearly two years ago. According to the manual, blocked spray arm holes are one of the most common causes of poor dishwashing results, and they need to be cleaned regularly to keep the machine performing properly.

What Spray Arms Actually Do — and Why They Get Dirty

Before this experience, I didn’t really understand the role of spray arms in a dishwasher. The manual I downloaded from ManyManuals explained everything clearly:

• The spray arms rotate and shoot jets of water at different angles to reach all parts of the dishwasher

• Food particles, mineral deposits, and grease can clog the tiny holes over time

• Blocked spray arms reduce water pressure and coverage, leading to ineffective cleaning

In my case, this was exactly what was happening. Even though the dishwasher was filling and draining correctly, the spray arms just weren’t distributing the water properly.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process from the Manual

Following the instructions from manymanuals, I removed both the lower and upper spray arms. It wasn’t difficult — they just twisted off with a gentle counterclockwise turn. I placed them under a bright light and was shocked at what I saw: several of the small holes were blocked with tiny food particles, limescale, and grease buildup.

Here’s what I did next, based on the manual:

• Used a toothpick and a soft brush to gently clear out each spray hole

• Soaked the arms in a bowl of warm water mixed with vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral deposits

• Rinsed thoroughly and gave them a good shake to make sure no debris remained inside

After letting them dry for a bit, I reattached them to the dishwasher and ran a hot water cycle with no dishes inside — just to make sure everything was spinning freely again. The difference in noise (less resistance, smoother rotation) was immediately noticeable.

The Next Load Was Sparkling Clean

After reinstalling the cleaned spray arms and running a test cycle with actual dishes, the improvement was obvious. Glasses came out crystal clear, dishes were spotless, and even the cutlery tray looked like it had been polished. I realized just how important regular maintenance is, and how easily things can go wrong when you ignore parts like the spray arms.

Without the manual from manymanuals, I probably would have wasted money on new detergent, rinse aid, or even considered calling a service technician. Instead, the fix took less than an hour and cost me absolutely nothing.

Helping My Sister with the Same Problem

Not long after I fixed mine, my sister Claire complained that her Electrolux dishwasher wasn’t cleaning the top rack properly. I told her to check the top spray arm, and she had the same problem — several holes blocked and the arm not rotating. She didn’t have her manual anymore, so I sent her the link to ManyManuals. She found her model instantly, followed the cleaning steps, and fixed the issue that same afternoon.

It’s amazing how something so small can make such a big difference, and how overlooked this kind of routine maintenance can be. The trick is just knowing what to do — and ManyManuals provides the exact instructions straight from the manufacturer.

Maintenance Tips I Learned from the Manual

The manual didn’t just help me fix the immediate problem — it also taught me how to prevent it in the future. Here are a few simple maintenance tips from the Electrolux guide that I now follow:

• Clean spray arms once a month or more often if the dishwasher is used daily

• Scrape excess food off dishes before loading (don’t rinse, just remove solids)

• Use a dishwasher cleaner every few months to break down grease and limescale

• Run a hot water cycle with vinegar to keep internal parts fresh

Before this, I assumed dishwashers were self-cleaning. Now I understand that even the most efficient machines need a little help staying in top shape.

Why I’ll Always Use ManyManuals First

This whole experience taught me how valuable it is to have access to the original product manual, especially for appliances with moving parts or advanced features. The quick-start guides that come in the box don’t go into this level of detail — but ManyManuals gives you the full picture, free of charge.

Since then, I’ve used the site to find manuals for my microwave, washing machine, and even my daughter’s hair dryer (which had a mysterious flashing light we didn’t understand). Every time, the instructions helped solve the problem quickly and easily.

If your Electrolux dishwasher isn’t performing like it used to, don’t jump to conclusions. First, head to manymanuals, find your model, and check the spray arms. Sometimes, the solution is simpler than you think — and it might be sitting right there, in a manual you didn’t even know you could still access. It definitely worked for me.