Give me your best dishwasher hints..

[C.Ann]

Here's the deal.. The house we moved into has a pretty new dishwasher -Maytag JetClean Dishwasher Quiet Pack, to be exact..

I'm not a big dishwasher fan - would just as soon do them by hand - but my son-in-law insists that I use the dishwasher rather than waste my time and energy standing at the sink..

I've tried it a few times now and I have noticed that if I don't use a second rinse cycle (and sometimes even then) I can see this "white stuff" on some of the glasses and bowls.. Now the water here is very hard - and I know the "white" could be that - or it could be the detergent..

Right now we're using Palmolive Gel Dishwasher Detergent and Jet Dry Rinse With Shine.. Can't use the "dry heat" cycle because it disfigures the plastic bowls..

So - am I doing something wrong that is causing these white markings? Is it the soap or the hard water? Are there better products I could use?

What do and don't you wash in the dishwasher - and do you have to avoid putting plastic bowls in there for the dry heat cycle too?

If I had my way there would be another much needed cabinet there rather than a dishwasher, but if it's staying, I guess I might as well try to learn how to use it.. LOL

 

[Rollwithit]

Be a gem and offer to pay for a water softener for your SIL. And make sure the plastic bowls are dishwasher safe.

 

[TheGoofster]

Sorry, but when I saw this thread it reminded me of a joke that my friend told me:
"What do you do when the dishwasher isn't working?"
"Kick her in the backside and tell her to start supper!"

Of course, he told me that joke before he got married. Now that he's married, I don't hear him saying it any more.

 

[hlbtimes2]

My guess is, its the hard water not the dishwasher or dishsoap. I, honestly, wouldnt be too worried about it. I dont use the heat dry on my dishwasher, to save energy. The dishes get hot enough, that they will air dry quick enough on their own. I typically run it after dinner, and empty it the next day.

 

[C.Ann]

Be a gem and offer to pay for a water softener for your SIL. And make sure the plastic bowls are dishwasher safe.

----------------------------

We really, really need a water softener here.. I never realized the problems associated with hard water until I moved into my DD's old house (where the water was also very hard) and questioned why all of their whites were "gray" and why I couldn't get the film off the tub and shower walls..

In this house, my SIL recently installed a jacuzzi-type bath tub and I'm wondering if the build up from hard water will eventually clog the jets..

I'm assuming it's cheaper to purchase your own water softener rather than renting from Culligan - correct? Anyone know how much they cost? I'd be willing to foot the bill if it will save the tub, save a lot of unnecessary cleaning, and allow us all to have "white" clothes again.. LOL

 

[Jennifer S]

I have the same problem it is the hard water. I have tried everything and nothing works. You will need a water softener.

 

[golfgal]

Water softener rentals run in the $20-30/month range around here plus salt. It is WELL worth having one. There are benefits to having a rental unit in areas with really hard water because they don't last as long and if you are renting you don't have to worry about fixing/replacing the unit. Something to look into anyway.

I noticed that our dishwasher isn't dissolving the soap very well. We switched to the blister packs of Cascade and that has made a HUGE difference.

 

[golfgal]

If you are in the Phoenix area, I know of a great softener dealer--some really good friends of ours. I can't remember what state you are in.

 

[Hercules10]

Sorry, but when I saw this thread it reminded me of a joke that my friend told me:
"What do you do when the dishwasher isn't working?"
"Kick her in the backside and tell her to start supper!"

Dern. Ya beat me to it...I was gonna say, marry a woman with small feet so she can stand closer to the sink.

 

[Cantw8]

Here's a helpful hint....NEVER and I mean NEVER put liquid detergent in your dishwasher....I'm talking about the kind you use to wash dishes in the sink, it creates a rather unfavorable condition

 

[Hercules10]

Here's a helpful hint....NEVER and I mean NEVER put liquid detergent in your dishwasher....I'm talking about the kind you use to wash dishes in the sink, it creates a rather unfavorable condition

Had one of them 'foam parties' did'cha? They're all the rave I hear.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I love my dishwasher so much that I had two put into our kitchen.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Here's a helpful hint....NEVER and I mean NEVER put liquid detergent in your dishwasher....I'm talking about the kind you use to wash dishes in the sink, it creates a rather unfavorable condition

When our parents were on vacation my teenage brother did this. Talk about fun.

 

[almacdonald]

Here's my best dishwasher tip...

If it can't be washed in the dishwasher without being ruined, you don't REALLY want that piece of dinnerware anyway.

 

[drag n' fly]

Here is my best dishwasher tip...


Make lots of chocolate cakes....so when he starts to complain all you hear is muffles.

 

[famofsix]

I have the same dishwasher and I found while the cheaper detergent works to clean the dishes it corrodes the racks. Cascade does not seem to be as harsh on it. I run mine on pots and pans with the santi-heat button pushed in. If you want you can switch to air dry and temp sense. You will just have to dry the dishes a bit before putting them away. The heated dry is probably affecting the plastic ware or the plastic ware is not dishwasher safe.
HTH

Or you can do the quick wash feature if you are just doing items other than pots and pans and hand wash the pots and pans.