Why Your Dishwasher Isn't Cleaning Dishes Properly

A dishwasher that sends dishes out cloudy, gritty or still dirty is doing a lot of running for very little result. Before you write it off, it is worth knowing that poor cleaning is far more often a maintenance or loading issue than a serious fault. Here is how to get it washing properly again.

Clean the filter

The filter in the base traps food so it does not redeposit on your dishes. When it clogs, dirty water recirculates and everything comes out worse than it went in. Remove it, rinse it under the tap, and scrub the mesh. Doing this every couple of weeks makes a noticeable difference.

Check the spray arms

The spray arms have small holes that jet water over the dishes. Bits of food, seeds and hard-water scale block those holes over time. Take the arms off (most just unclip or unscrew) and poke the holes clear with a toothpick, then rinse. Make sure the arms spin freely, as a tall item can catch and stop them turning.

Do not over-rinse, but do scrape

Scrape plates before loading, but you do not need to pre-rinse them spotless. Modern detergents actually need some food residue to work against. What matters more is not blocking the spray arms with oversized items.

Load it properly

Overloading is a top cause of poor results. Water and detergent need to reach every surface, so do not nest bowls together or crowd the racks. Face dirty surfaces toward the centre where the spray is strongest.

Check your detergent and rinse aid

Old or damp detergent loses its punch. Make sure the dispenser flap opens during the cycle and is not blocked by a tall item. Add rinse aid if you are getting spots and film, which is common in the harder water areas around the Illawarra.

Run a hot maintenance wash

Every month or so, run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner to clear grease and scale from the internals. This keeps the spray arms and pump working as they should.

When to call a professional

If the filter and spray arms are clean, the machine is loaded well, and dishes still come out dirty, the problem may be the wash pump, heating element or water inlet not delivering enough hot water. Those need a technician.

Wollongong Service Company services dishwashers across the Illawarra and South Coast. Book a repair or call 02 4229 3777.