Dishwasher problems

Question

When I use my dishwasher, the dishes never feel clean sometimes I run it twice. How do I thoroughly clean my dishwasher?

C.debeer.sa · Answer

We now have anew rule.We geta bucket of water, then rinse he disches before we put it in the Appliance.now the disches is clean every time

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Try cleaning the dishwasher out by putting orange juice inside and run a full cycle. The citrus aids in naturally removing debris.

Jean Myles · Answer

Have you ever cleaned the inside of the dishwasher?There is a product called FINISH that cleans the grease and lime scale that accumulates in the hoses and the drain .You put the container in a empty machine on the bottom shelf, then you run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. Yes it cost a few dollars but you don't have to do it very often. I do it once every 6 month it work very well .. You can also add a package of lemon Kool aid and run the machine empty for a cycle. I have never done it ,but really nothing to lose just the cost of a pkg of Kool aid.

William · Answer

You can also use one cup of vinegar and run one light cycle. I do this at least once a month. Also check that there are no food particles blocking any of the holes in the sprayers and that they spin freely.

MN Mom · Answer

I use Finish in each cycle. It keeps the dishwasher clean and also helps with spotting on dishes and glassware. You might try scraping your plates and bowls of leftovers before sending them through the cycle. Maybe your machine is just recycling bits of food instead of cleaning everything as it should.

Louise · Answer

I ALWAYS RINSE BEFORE WASHING. SO COULDN'T BE THAT. TRIED VINEGAR, ALSO SODA. DOESNOT WORK

Creativeme · Answer

Make sure to run your garbage disposal before starting the DW. I think some of the DW soaps have changed too. You might want to change out to some different ones and see how they work. Plus the other suggestions.

Jemma Dee · Answer

My extremely hard water leaves a powdery grit on my dishes. I use a small amount of Lemi Shine (citric acid) in each load. It also helps to make sure that your liquid rinse agent reservoir is kept filled.

Phil a · Answer

Since there are only sprays and no physical wiping of the dishes, really hot water is a prime key to clean dishes. If your dishwasher has a 'hi-temp' setting, it helps to use that, since it actually heats the water in the dishwasher to 140° to clean. If the water coming out of the adjacent faucet tap is below 120° , raise the temp on your water heater to at least that. If you feel a film on the inside surfaces of the dishwasher, use AFRESH for Dishwashers once a month, as this has cleaners that clean that film off. (If you have a High Efficiency Clothes Washer, AFRESH once a month keeps clothes smelling clean as it cleans the washing machine of any soap film). We also use 1/4 Cup of Chlorine Bleach every so often, especially when cleaning plastic dishes with tomato / chile stains. If there's any excess water left in the bottom of the dishwasher after draining, the pump may not be working correctly, or the drain line to the Air-Gap might be plugged. If you don't have an Air-Gap in the drain line, you open yourself up to siphoning dirty water from the disposal back into the dishwasher. Make sure nothing is blocking the spinning of the spray arms, make sure any spray arm attached to the roll out tray 'plugs' into the water supply socket in the back of the unit. Not knowing how old the machine is, it's hard to say if it's just tired, with weak seals and weak spray. If it doesn't 'sound' like it used to when new, with loud spray sounds, it might be an issue with the pump. Dishwashers can be complex machines doing a simple job, but if you ensure the basics are working, you should get clean dishes. Good luck and let us know what you find out. Also, see the related posts below this subject.

Linda Johnson · Answer

We always rinse before putting things in our dishwasher, but we had the same problem you did. I looked on youtube and found a video about how to clean a dishwasher. I took it apart and cleaned it. That did the trick! It's easy to do...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxcD6DdSUio

Louise · Answer

don't have garbage disposal

Sheenaireland · Answer

I had the exact same problem with really hard water, gritty dishes and stained cutlery and glasses etc. You could buy CLR and run it empty with it. After that use lemi shine in both the pre -rinse compartment and split half your washing powder with the lemi shine in the wash compartment, I have also changed to solely using powders, I was told by the dishwasher service mechanic that they are much more effective and I am much happier than using them, I think they are substantially better than they mini packs or liquids. The dishwasher stays sparkling clean by using the lemishine, as do all the cutlery and dishes! (I have no connection to any companies!)

Louise Adkins · Answer

Maybe it is time to replace the dishwasher.

Louise · Answer

where do u buy clr?

Louise · Answer

clr,where 2 buy

Deanndeb · Answer

Have you checked the drain filter? Sometimes they can get clogged and the stuff you're trying wash away just keeps circulating back onto you dishes. Hard water can leave your dishes feeling chalky as well. Run a cycle w/o dishes using 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons of Citric Acid to get the residue out of the DW (I get it bulk on Amazon...much cheaper than the brand name stuff they sell in grocery stores). After that use 1/2 teaspoon in the pre-wash cup and 1 teaspoon in the main wash cup with each load of dishes along with your regular detergent.

KellyAnn Clark · Answer

I have added vinegar to mine about 1cup. I've just poured it in the bottom also dish cleaning soap where it's goes and start. Hope it helps.

Louise · Answer

tried that also. thanku

Louise · Answer

used it. smelled like ir was burning when it finished, should i run again with plain water?

Phil a · Answer

How old is your dishwasher? If this issue happened gradually over time it just may be worn out. If it happened all of a sudden, you must have a blockage in one of the spray or drain lines. If it's a newer dishwasher, it might be worth calling an appliance repair shop to check it out. I'm in California and I can get an appliance repair estimate for $40, so you should be able to find something even less. Then you'll at least know what the problem is. It's been almost a week since you reported this issue and it appears you haven't yet resolved it.

Louise · Answer

thanks, they chg u and and leg here for repair.

Louise · Answer

i tried the CLR,haven't washed any dishes since i did it.

Phil a · Answer

If you've tried everything suggested and still can't find or fix the problem, just call a few repair shops and see how much they charge for an estimate? Then you can decide if it's worth repairing or replacing. Until you find out what's going on, you'll be washing dishes by hand or using extra water. Water is probably cheap in Tennessee, but here in California, it's worth its weight in gold. Sometimes, it's just easier, and cheaper in the end, to call a pro.

Sandra · Answer

Are you rinsing your dishes before you load the washer?  If it's an older model you have to do that.  Sorry, I had to ask.  Have you tried using one of the rinse agents. Like Finish?  I have a dishwasher that is about 4 years old and I have a problem with the pre-load dispenser. It leaks out of the bottom into the dishwasher.  So I just use the one time wash system that it also has in it. No problem.  It works very well.  I hope you figure it out without spending a bunch of money. It's certainly a GR-R-R-R.

Louise · Answer

yes, aways rinse.

Cynlane55 · Answer

I use baking soda & white vinegar, to remove the soap residue, It also cleans out the sprayers while your doing it. Works great for me. Now I can run with no soap, Just the baking soda & vinegar instead, my dishes sparkle now.

Louise · Answer

tried that, did not work

Phyllis Marsh · Answer

Did you check to see if the holes on the spray arms are clogged?

Louise · Answer

where r they?

Cynlane55 · Answer

Sorry it did not work. if you have had it for years and never took care of it:; It will take more than once. Use the whole box & whole bottle. ' if you don't know where the sprayers are CALL A PLUMBER.

Dishwasher problems

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Dishwasher problems

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