How to Remove an Upper Dishwasher Rack

A bad upper dishwasher rack can be harmful to your dishes. These racks are normally covered by a layer of rubber or plastic to protect the metal dishwasher rack posts and also protect your dishes. Over time, this material can degrade, leaving sharp metal posts that can scratch your cutlery. Manufacturers are aware of this and often sell replacements. You must remove the old rack prior to inserting the new one.

• 1

  Turn the dishwasher power off. In the majority of dishwasher installations, this will need to be done at the central breaker or fuse box. Locate the circuit where the dishwasher is installed and turn the switch to the "Off" position. Test that the power to the dishwasher is off by turning on the appliance. If it doesn't power up, you've cut the right circuit. Open the dishwasher door.

• 2

  Slide the upper dishwasher rack out about one-third of the way.

• 3

  Remove the end caps on the rack. This action depends on the model. Older dishwashers will have a plastic cap in place on each side of the rack. Slip the edge of a flat-head screwdriver underneath the end cap to pry it out of the rack on each side. In newer models, the end cabs simply need to be snapped backward.

• 4

  Slide the dishwasher rack out of the brackets.