I buy Citric Acid in bulk form from SoapGoods.com. They were the cheapest. This keeps my dishwasher clean and smelling good. In the begininning I used 3 T each time for about three washes -.now I only use 1 t. with my other granular soap. Also if you use liquid soap, I have been told by my appliance repairman that it is a no-no...use only granular.

Thank you Woodbridge Environmental for the great info.

Wow, that surprises me Becky J. because it even got somewhat dried on lasagna off our plates the first time I used it. Since hubby was working two days to get the tiles out in front of the DW opening to get the new slightly taller DW installed I hadn't gotten close enough to the sink to wash dishes for three days. That's what sold me on Finish. What was their reply about their product?

I'm thinking maybe the reason I've never had trouble with a dirty, smelly dishwasher is ...»

I use 1 cup of vinegar in the cup on normal cycle, no heat in the dishwasher once a month. For front loading washers, some machines have a tub clean cycle: use that, put in vinegar or bleach in the bleach slot. Skip the expensive laundry cycle cleaning aids on the market.

The reason I rinse my dishes so well, to almost clean, is I live alone with Gracie my Cat, and I usually only run dishwasher when completely full, now like yesterday I had family dinner, washed as I went by hand, so easy clean up after meal was finished. Just a few dishes, bowels, and silverware. Oh yeah, I lightly washed the roasting pan, still the dishwasher is no where full. I just don't want bugs in house, but want the benefits of a DW. Kills harmfull bacteria.

To Becky from Blair, I will try the Finish Quantum tablets next time I go to the store. The DW is from 1996, probably getting ready to expire, but no smells, or problems yet.

There's only two of us here Monica so we go two or three days without washing dishes. Ours does have a rinse only cycle, but I've not used it yet. I have used that cycle on our last DW a few times instead of rinsing by hand and liked it. Allot! I hate getting my hands wet since they dry so easily. Not sure if one the age of yours would have that or not. You're lucky to still have it working being that old. Our last one, which was to be top of the line last a little over seven years. They just don't make appliances to last like they used to.

glasses have a haze on them, how do I get rid of that?

With a rinsing agent Zoe.

Zoe try using citric acid (powder form) in with your soap. I add two teaspoons with each wash. My glasses were always cloudy until my appliance repariman told me about citric acid. Go to SoapGoods.com...they have reasonable prices. My glasses come out sparkling now. Also I always use a granular form of dish soap...which my repairman told me a long time ago was the best. Gels will cause clogging in the lines with build up. Hope this helps.

Oxolic acid (sp) is great too for cleaning. Do not use on dishes. Only need a tidy bit (tsp.) if done regularly.

Thanks to every one for responding. I do use a rinsing agent which doesn't help.I will try the citric acid.

Do you have hard water Zoe?

Goodness, I did'nt realize the age of the house either. LOL yikes !! 16 yr old. this is why the upright freezer went out on Saturday. When I bought the house in 2003, every thing was ok. Everything is from 1996, and everything is Kennmore. Time flies when your having fun I guess. LOL

Zoe I was having problems with haze and my dishes had a powdery film on them. I bought something to clean the dishwasher and my husband cleaned the little holes in the blade that shoots out the water. I also changed from those little tablets to a gel and started filling both cups in my dishwasher. All this has made a difference.

can you get citric acid at Wally World? (Wal-mart for you uninitiated lol)

I read that Kool Aid/Ade packets work too. Any one try that?

Well, I found out why my glasses were developing a terrible haze and thanks to Janice V. and her suggestion on citric acid it looks as if the haze is disappearing with each wash. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington to be specific and unbeknown to me a law was past that removed all phosphates from detergents.Again, thanks to everyone for their responses.

Very interesting Zoe. I'll have to ask my niece if she has that type of problem with her glasses and will tell her how to change it. Thanks for letting us know it worked for you.

can you buy citric acid in the local stores? I did hear that about the phosphates, but forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.

Oh wonderful Zoe, so glad it was a help. Becky I have no idea if Wally world has it...I only know my repairman said it was hard to find...but I looked on line (love the internet) and found it at www.soapgoods.com I bought 6 lb container...I use at least a teaspoon or two a day. My glasses are always sparkling clean now. Glad to help.

well, thanks! didn't realize until just now I asked that question twice....duh to me

Add a cup of White Vinegar to your Dishwasher with the Dishes at the start of the Cycle then let your Dishwasher do it's thing both the Dishes & Dishwasher will be cleaned ! Smells nice too :)

Oh I always use vinegar in my dishwasher it leaves a fresh cleaning dishwasher after finished and it sparkles inside as well

A must..I keep a spray bottle with vinegar...once loaded...spray dishes..silverware comes out sparkling and no water spots