Practice good loading good dishwasher etiquette begins with good loading. Regular dishwasher maintenance is important to get good operation from your dishwasher and its lifespan. You should set up a weekly and monthly maintenance schedule. A great way to prevent grease and detergent from building up creating clogs is to run a quart of white vinegar through the machine each month. Preventive care, even in small amounts, will help save on expensive repairs or even dishwasher replacement later on.