Dishwasher residue question

[kgle]

I am wondering if this is a simple problem solved by a water softener.

We have been in our house for 3 1/2 years now. Up until about 6 months ago, the dishwasher was working fine. Now, whenever I wash the dishes they come out with a gross white residue on them. I've tried switching detergents and even started using jet dry and nothing has worked. We have a water softener in the basement but its never been used by us.

I guess for one I would like advice on how to get rid of this stuff! Its gross. Also, I am wondering why we have never had issues until 6 months ago.

I am gonna feel like an idiot if this is just a hard water problem lol.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

We have a similar problem--a lot of our dishes come out with a gritty, brownish residue stuck on them. It's really gross and you have to wipe everything (especially the glasses!) down before you use it.

 

[D&DDisney]

Sounds like hard water. We had the same problem when we moved in and didn't have a softner.
The only way to get the residue off my dishes is soak or rewash in vinager or wipe the dishes immediately so the water doesn't have a chance to dry on it.
Good luck!

 

[emer95]

I could have written your exact post! Ours just started leaving a white residue a few weeks ago. I was going to try the route you already went- switching detergents, using a rinse aid. I never thought about hard water. If that was the problem though, why would it be so sudden? I really hope we don't need a new dishwasher! Ours is only 6 years old.

Good luck! Hopefully we can both find a solution.

 

[eduk8r26]

I had that problem, too, then I discovered something called Lemi-shine in the dish detergent section. A little of that in the dishwasher along with the regular detergent, and I've had no problem since. I'm on the West Coast, so don't know if it's available everywhere.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I am the queen of dishwasher issues, so here's what I've done to resolve mine.

1. Run a load (empty) with a cup of vinegar sitting on the bottom rack. Don't pour it in, just set it in the rack where it won't spill. If you have a lot of residue do it twice. This removes lime deposit.

2. Some people use Tang - the breakfast drink, to clean their dishwasher. Haven't tried it yet.

3. I've used a product available at WalMart called "Dishwasher Magic". Works well.

4. We had more than just filmy deposit, our dishwasher was leaving brown stuff (food) in our glasses and bowls-disgusting. We took apart our dishwasher and couldn't believe what we found

Pink, slimy, gross disgusting STUFF . We found this stuff along the back wall of the dishwasher BEHIND the water intake (we had to remove this ) I also found this stuff on the outside of the two pull-out racks-had to dip a scrub brush in vinegar to scrub it off.

It was DISGUSTING! To know that that pink slime was circulating in the water with my dishes. We had repairmen out three to try to figure out why our dishes were coming out dirty. None managed to find this disgusting stuff.

I would start with Vinegar, Tang, then Dishwasher Magic. If none of that works, take it apart and look for the SLIME!

 

[sammi]

We have the same problem and it used to drive me nuts but I have discovered that after I run the "normal" cycle I also run a "rinse only" cycle and that takes the white film off.

 

[doxdogy]

Had the same problem a couple of months. I tried everything to get rid of the film, nothing worked. Finally one day (got the dear nephew to help me) we took out the bottom portion that looked like a sieve, took at the spray arm. What was got in the trap below that was downright gross. Plus the sieve like contraption had built up soap residue. It took us about an hour to get it all cleaned. Haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[kgle]

Ahh thanks guys!

Yeah I have no idea why its so sudden either...but then again I have no idea how old the dishwasher is. I will have to go get some vinegar tonight and see how that works. I'll let you know how it goes!

I also attempted taking the high heat setting off to see if that would help and it didn't...(I used to keep that on for DS's bottles when he was still using them). I will see how the rinse only cycle works I wish I could just buy a new dishwasher!

 

[kgle]

Had the same problem a couple of months. I tried everything to get rid of the film, nothing worked. Finally one day (got the dear nephew to help me) we took out the bottom portion that looked like a sieve, took at the spray arm. What was got in the trap below that was downright gross. Plus the sieve like contraption had built up soap residue. It took us about an hour to get it all cleaned. Haven't had a problem with it since.

Would you be able to walk me through that? I would totally look at it, but I would have no idea what I am doing!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Also, it's been recommended to me to always turn the kitchen sink on until hot water flows, THEN start the dishwasher. If you don't, half of your dishwasher water is lukewarm.

 

[nskjerven]

might also try powdered soap rather than liquid. that seemed to be the problem with our tenants dishes in our rental with the dishwasher....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hard water problem. We have it seriously here and have yet to get a softner. It is on the list.

Get the Dishwasher Magic at WalMart. You have to use it at every wash.

 

[kgle]

might also try powdered soap rather than liquid. that seemed to be the problem with our tenants dishes in our rental with the dishwasher....

That's what I used to use. I buy powdered because its cheaper and my dad buys liquid. So I have tried both but they don't work.

 

[kgle]

I guess I could always stop being lazy and handwash my dishes but man I really don't want to do that! Our last house...we were there for at least 3 years and had no dishwasher. I loathe handwashing dishes *shudder*.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Hard water problem. We have it seriously here and have yet to get a softner...