dishwasher making pots dirtier! Why?

alfieroux

Hi,

I did a bit of search but didn't find a thread which answered my query, so I hope someone on here can direct me...

My dishwasher has started to make the pots filthy, I have put the finish dishwasher cleaners through the system (the little upside down bottle types) but this has not improved things. Relatively clean looking cups that have had juice in etc come out covered in gritty dirt, dirty pots look untouched. The soap tablet has been released into the system but is usually not disolved and there is a mushy mess of it inside the door.

My question - without the aid of a plumber or any technical knowledge is it possible to sort the problem? It doesn't LOOK blocked or anything but I have no actual idea what I am meant to be looking at. (What a typical girl I am...)

Many thanks for any help in advance

Mrs Alfie

wallbash

The soap tablet has been released into the system but is usually not disolved and there is a mushy mess of it inside the door.

1st just stick it in the cutlery rack . will eliminate late/none opening

Double check salt reservoir

Look at spinning arms, check the little holes

You have already done the

finish dishwasher cleaners through the

You did do it on the highest temp setting?

greenbee

Have you taken the filters out and given them a good scrub?

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

Have you cleaned all the filters? There's usually 2 I think. Check out the instruction booklet. The tablet problem might be solved by using a higher temperature as another poster suggested. The higher temp might get rid of more dirt too. Maybe as a temporary measure you could use dishwasher liquid instead of the tablets until you find out the problem.

edit - cross posted

jackyann

Clean all the arms - tiny bits get caught in the spray bits and clog them up (sweetcorn worst culprit!) - you can test them (if you can take them out) by running water into them.
Then I run an empty wash with vinegar on the highest setting.
I don't buy expensive cleaner; every so often I run a hot wash with vinegar, then a hot wash with a tablet (yes, I know that's 2 hot washes, but still cheaper I reckon)
I also reckon it is worth running a hot wash every so often. When I get a few pots & pans, I run a hot wash, just make sure not to put any glasses in.

alfieroux

I have tried all the wash setting inc. the 70 degree one, it seems to make no difference. I have removed one filter and washed it - not sure where I would find a second. Will also check the salt (although I don't actually know what the salt does-sorry).

I have just checked the "arms" I guess that these are the two spinney round things one on the top, one at the bottom. There were bits in the little holes so I poked them with a knife - fingers crossed that this will solve at least some of the problem, will put it on after tea to see if it worked. That's the last time we ever eat sweetcorn!

Thanks all who replied.
Mrs Alfie

alfieroux

jackyann - where do you put the vinegar? Is it just malt vinegar or something specific? Thanks

becs

Change dishwasher tablets. We had the same problem with ours when we used the finish 4 in 1 tablets. We switched to basic liquid and used salt and rinse aid and the dishes are sparkling now.

happy35

i had this problem with the Finish ones that had the red ball in them, I am now using Tesco basics after reading about them on here and dishwasher is fine

I just use cheap malt vinegar to clean my dishwasher

wallbash

Will also check the salt (although I don't actually know what the salt does-sorry).

If you don't know what it does , have you ever checked it , This is the VERY likely cause of all your problems.Go buy a bag of dishwasher salt , check manual .
I top up salt every few weeks

casper_g

wallbash wrote: »

If you don't know what it does , have you ever checked it , This is the VERY likely cause of all your problems.Go buy a bag of dishwasher salt , check manual .
I top up salt every few weeks

The OP hasn't said where in the country they are. If they're in a soft water area they are unlikely to need it -- my parents' last dishwasher lasted 20 years without a bit of salt, and worked really well right up until it died (of something unrelated to the lack of salt!).