Does your dishwasher leave a residue on your dishes? Are you wondering why your dishwasher is leaving a white residue? You may have noticed your dishwasher is starting to leave a white residue or film on your dishes and glassware, and the problem persists even when you change detergents. Residue develops for a number of reasons. Fortunately, there are solutions that will help your dishes turn out clean and sparkling every time you run your dishwasher and prevent your dishwasher from leaving a white residue.
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Soap Residue
Soap is one of the substances that can cause your dishwasher to leave a residue on your dishes. You can prevent it by doing the following:
1. Cut down on the amount of detergent you’re using. If you’re using too much, the rinse cycle can’t remove the excess. Using excess soap will also cause a build-up on the inside of the dishwasher, which in turn can end up on your dishes.
2. Try a different type of detergent, making sure it’s a high-quality one. Dishwasher detergents are available as gels, powders, and tablets or pods. Each type works differently in dishwashers:
- Gels are usually the least expensive, but also don’t clean as well. They’re ideal for delicate dishes and glasses because they’re less abrasive.
- Powders work best for burnt-on stains on pots and pans, and are too abrasive for glassware and tableware.
- Tablets or pods are concentrated gel packs or dishwashing powder that pre-wash and degrease dishes. Many contain rinse aids that help remove soap residue.
3. Use rinse aid. The chemicals create a more efficient rinse by helping the water run off the dishes.
4. Make sure the water you’re starting the dishwashing cycle with is the hottest water possible. Run the water at your kitchen faucet until it’s hot, then start the dishwasher. The water needs to be at the right temperature to dissolve and properly use the detergent so no white residue is left behind (between 120 and 150°F).
5. Check the water pressure for your house and to the dishwasher. If it’s low, there might not be enough pressure to rinse the soap off the dishes. Causes of low water pressure to the dishwasher include:
- A clog or kink in the water supply hose.
- A blocked water inlet valve screen.
- Too small a water line that’s restricting the flow of water into the dishwasher. The water line should be 3/8-inch o.d. (outside diameter) copper, or 1/2-inch o.d. plastic.
6. Run a smaller load to see if overloading or improper loading is causing the soap residue problem. Water needs to reach all the dishes for a proper rinse. Here’s how to properly load a dishwasher (always check your owners manual for any special loading instructions):
Upper rack: concave items, such as mugs, glasses, bowls, large silverware and utensils, and dishwasher-safe plastics to prevent warping.
Lower rack: plates, platters, larger utensils, and cooking utensils.
Utensils rack: eating utensils and larger utensils that can easily be placed here.
Arranging the upper rack:
- Angle bowls facing the center and not too close together to prevent breakage, and to allow water and detergent to reach them.
- Glasses and mugs go between the tines and not on them.
- Place large silverware and utensils horizontally.
- Secure utensils with long handles so they don’t fall through and stop the spray arm from rotating.
Arranging the lower rack:
- Arrange plates and platters vertically.
- Stagger small and large pieces so water and detergent can reach the top rack.
- Place oversized items, such as dishwasher-safe cutting boards, along the perimeter.
Cutlery basket/utensil rack:
- Load forks and spoons with handles facing down.
- Load knives with handles facing up.
- Mix up cutlery so items don’t nest together, preventing proper washing and rinsing.
- If using a utensil rack: lay each item flat and don’t overlap them. You want to ensure that each item can be cleaned.
7. Don’t use a light cycle for a large load. Run the cycle appropriate for the amount of dishes being washed.
8. Make sure nothing is blocking the spray arms, and that they’re clean and free of debris.
9. Run vinegar cycles through the dishwasher to break up and remove soap residue:
For the first cycle, place a large, dishwasher-safe bowl in the top rack and fill it with vinegar. Run the cycle on the heaviest setting with the hottest water.
- For a second cycle, add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher, and start it on a low setting with the hottest water. Stop half-way through for 20 minutes, then continue.
- Repeat this procedure to refresh your machine as needed.
Hard Water Residue
If you have hard water, you’ll usually find a white film of mineral deposits on your dishes after a wash cycle. Hard water deposits can also build up inside your machine, adding further mineral residue to dishes each time.
Eliminate hard water residue with these solutions:
- Run regular vinegar cycles to help remove mineral build-up inside the dishwasher.
- Use a rinse aid and citric acid for each wash to clean away hard water deposits from dishes and the dishwasher. Add 1 teaspoon of citric acid to your detergent for each load. Alternatively, you can put 3 to 4 tablespoons of citric acid in the detergent dispenser, and run an empty load on normal to clean out mineral deposits.
- Use a detergent that’s sodium-based and softens the water.
- Install a soft water system for the home. This is a more permanent solution for removing minerals from hard water. Soft water lathers more easily than hard water, and is more effective for cleaning. Many people add more dishwasher detergent to get a better cleaning with hard water, but the soap doesn’t completely rinse off, and results in more residue.
There’s nothing better than clean dinnerware and sparkling wine glasses straight out of the dishwasher. But what if your dishwasher is falling down on the job and your glasses, pots, pans and dishware look streaky or have bits of residue still caked on? For more dishwasher tips click here.
Always consult your owners manual for specific cleaning and operating instructions.
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