Everybody expects to have clean dishes after the dishwasher washing cycle is finished. What if the dishes are not clean?
Dishwasher not washing properly is a common problem and can have various reasons. Today we are going to talk about 9 most important causes of this problem. So, you can fix your appliance and enjoy your shiny dishes again.
Tip: if you have studied the article about dishwasher components and parts, you can follow us in this article more easily.
Warning: unplug the dishwasher before any troubleshooting or repair operation to avoid any electric shock.
Badly loaded dishwasher can affect its washing quality
If you haven't placed the dishes properly inside the racks and they are squeezed next to each other, water and detergent can't reach the dish surface and won't clean them.
Tip: refer to the dishwasher manual to learn how to properly load your appliance.
Note: wash the cutlery separately or place them in their special basket. Never leave them among the other dishes. The color may be changed or there may be black stains on them.
Wrong program doesn't let the dishwasher wash properly
Your dishwasher has various washing programs which are selected according to the number of dishes and their dirtiness. So, the dishwasher not washing properly can be because of selecting the inappropriate program.
Tip: if your dishes are too greasy, select a program with higher than 55°C that lasts at least 1:30 hours.
Clogged dishwasher filters prevent its perfect washing
Dishwasher filters don't let the food particles enter the washing cycle in the tub. They are located beneath the dishwasher baskets and can be removed easily. Clogged filters prevent proper water circulation in the tub and let the impurities circulate with the water among the dishes. So, there won't be any proper dishwasher washing. Clean the filters with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
Note: it's better to clean the filters after each wash and finer filters at least once a week. Replace the worn out filters.
Clogged spray Arms lower dishwasher washing quality
Spray arms spray out water on the dishes while spinning. If their tiny holes are obstructed or the spray arms are cracked, the water pressure is reduced and lowers the dishwasher washing quality. Remove the arms gently and wash them with warm soapy water. Use a toothpick to unclog the holes if necessary.
Low quality detergent can't guarantee proper dishwasher washing
Detergent used in the dishwasher has a direct impact on the dishwasher washing quality. Low quality detergents can leave stains on the dishes. Using too much detergent can also badly affect the dishwasher washing quality.
Tip: washing powders usually can't completely dissolve in low temperature water and leave stains on the dishes. Gel-type detergents also leave traces on the back of the door and dishwasher interior body. Washing tablets are the best choice but they can't dissolve in lower than 50°C water and can leave stains on the dishes.
Warning: using too much rinse-aid can produce extra foam that will definitely leak out the dishwasher.
Note: environmentally friendly detergents seem good but they can also lower the dishwasher washing quality.
Insufficient salt badly affects the dishwasher washing quality
Salt regenerates the resin inside the dishwasher to soften the water entering the appliance. Without any salt, the hard water containing lime makes it difficult for the detergent to dissolve and lowers the dishwasher washing quality.
Note: all-in-one tablets can in no way substitute the salt.
Defective detergent dispenser and dishwasher not washing properly
If the dishwasher dispenser is faulty, it can't release the detergent at the right time. So, the dishwasher washing process can't be done properly.
Too soft water lowers the dishwasher washing quality
As we mentioned before, hard water can lower the dishwasher washing quality but too soft water can turn acid and ruin the glasses and cutlery. Soft water produces too much foam and leaves white stains on the dishes.
Note: turn down the setting of the water softener to the minimum. Consult with the appliance manual.
Defective heating element doesn't let the dishwasher wash properly
The heating element heats up the water in the dishwasher. If it is faulty, the water won't heat up, detergent can't dissolve properly and there will be stains on the dishes.
Warning: put on safety gloves before checking the heating element. It has sharp edges.
There are other reasons for dishwasher imperfect washing quality:
- Clogged wash pump
- Faulty spray arms inverter
- Faulty solenoid valve
- Obstructed water distributor
- Clogged softener
- Faulty control board
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