As a utility company we are constantly asked, “Why doesn’t my dishwasher clean better?” For this consultation, we offer the following ideas and suggestions.
Whenever we diagnose a “poor housekeeping” complaint, the main thing we want to know is:
1) Is the water hot enough? 2) Are you using a suitable detergent? 3)
you are using a rinse aid and 4) your loading practices.
1 Water temperature
Most manufacturers suggest a minimum of 120 Fahrenheit for the dishwasher to begin the cleaning process, 140 to remove food soils, and 155 to sanitize and kill bacteria. In restaurants they raise the temperature of the dishwasher to 180 Fahrenheit to meet health requirements. Consumers misinterpreting these requirements have led to problems for the home dishwasher.
In a dishwasher, the temperature of the washing water is essential. Unfortunately, it is now common to find household water temperatures of 100 Fahrenheit or below.
Many people have lowered the temperature of the water in their homes in an effort to be conscientious consumers. Yes, it reduces electricity consumption. Unfortunately it has other consequences.
Manufacturers say it doesn’t provide enough heat to wash dishes properly and can leave dishes covered in bacteria and food residue. Supporters of lower water temperatures say it is both environmentally friendly and necessary to protect children from any chance of scalding at bath time.
One of the latest ideas is a mixing valve added to hot water tanks. It is preset and will not allow temperatures above 115 Fahrenheit. It does this by mixing cold water with hot water to maintain this preset maximum.
This debate about hot water tank temperatures has resulted in a catch 22 scenario. Lower the temperature to lower consumption and be safer for children, but end up leaving bacteria on the dishes we eat.
Low water temperature can also affect cycle length. If it is too low, the dishwasher may stop to try to heat the water. A normal 40 minute cycle could be extended to 2-3 hours with all the heating delays. Some dishwashers can clog completely.
2 Using the right detergent
We always suggest that you use a name brand detergent. A good detergent is always worth what it costs. So stay away from the ones that are super cheap or the ones that claim to do the dishes and everything else in the house. If you’re not sure, ask your neighbors what they use.
Gel or crystal, the choice is yours. Both seem to work equally well. Whichever shape you prefer, the one thing we always stress is, “when you find one that works for you, stick with it… even if it costs more than others.”
The glass is less dirty, while the gel dissolves faster with water. If the water temperature is low (as described above), gel may be an option because it will mix better.
If you use glass detergent, be aware that it can absorb moisture from the air. When this happens, it will swell up and become lumpy or hard. These clumps will be difficult to break down and will not dissolve completely. If at the end of the cycle you see detergent left inside, it may be evidence of hardened crystals.
Additional evidence of moisture buildup can be seen if the box appears to be swollen. If seen, replace immediately with a new box.
A box of detergent should be consumed in 2-3 months. If not, throw it away and buy a new one. Match the size of the box to your needs. Don’t buy a big box just because it’s on sale. If you have to throw away most of it, it wasn’t a great deal.
Some detergent manufacturers now offer a product that combines detergent with rinse aid. Others offer a detergent that includes a special agent to dissolve grease. Others are in the form of a tab or inside a dissolvable plastic bag.
Also, dishwashing detergent and dishwashing detergent are not interchangeable. Attempting to do so will cause problems. Each type of detergent is formulated to do a specific job.
“Dishwasher detergent” is the one used to wash dishes in the sink. It is definitely not for the dishwasher. Anyone who has mistakenly put it in the dishwasher can attest to the mess this will make. The churning action of the water will produce massive amounts of foam. This results in the dishwasher flooding out the door and across the kitchen floor.
So the moral of this story is: “Don’t confuse dishwasher with dishwasher.”
3 Rinse Additive
This is something that is forgotten once you have used the free sample bottle that came with the dishwasher.
Their job is to make the water run faster from the dishes so they dry faster. Without it there would be small drops of water especially at the end of the cycle. Glasses, especially, would appear to be water-stained or left with a gritty residue. So if poor cleaning is a problem, check the rinse aid level.
But remember, only a drop or two are added per charge. A few ounces of rinse aid last a long time. For so long, those customers often think it’s not being added and blame the additive for problems it has nothing to do with.
To refill, look on the dishwasher door for a removable cap or plug. It is often overlooked because the time between recharges can be months. Also, appliance manufacturers could help solve this problem if more of them added some kind of “Hey, I’m empty” indicator.
Frigidaire dishwashers have a small clean indicator. Right next to the soap dispenser is a clear plastic eye that changes color when the additive is empty. So every time you add detergent to the machine, you’ll also see this eye staring back at you. White if it is empty and black if it is full. Simple, effective and smart.
4 Proper charge
Lastly, don’t forget that the way you load dishes can drastically affect how well they clean.
Proper charging will allow water to get into all the nooks and crannies. Try the following suggestions:
Cups and glasses on the top rack with the base up
Dishes on the bottom shelf all facing the same direction
Bowls on any of the shelves, but all facing the same direction
Utensils in the utensil holder in a mixed way (some knives, forks, spoons together in each compartment) to leave spaces between them
Large items, such as spatulas, placed on the top rack
Pots bottom up where space allows (sideways are fine if placed so water drains)
Arranging dishes and utensils in an orderly manner really helps to do better washing. Allows the jets of water to fully penetrate the dishes. Try it… it works.
The analogy I offer clients is: if you were going to take a car trip, would you pack the car efficiently or just open the doors and dump everything inside so passengers would have to scramble with luggage? I think you get the idea.
Dishwasher Efficiency
If your dishwasher has a mechanical problem, the result can be poor cleaning. Anything from low water pressure, a broken pump, not draining completely, or even a blocked filter could be the cause.
So how do you know if the machine needs repair? You do not. But by reviewing all of the above issues first, many of the most common causes of poor cleaning can be easily eliminated.
Also, you’ve probably heard this a million times before, but before you call for service, read your owner’s manual. You can include some valuable information. They will usually give you a checklist of items to try before calling the service.
summarizing
Now you know what it takes to get dishes sparkling clean out of the dishwasher. Hot water, good detergent, rinse aid, and proper loading practices. That’s that’s all. Provide these four things to the dishwasher and your cleaning success is guaranteed.
So load up the machine, go get a liquid refreshment, put your feet up, and let the dishwasher do all the work.