Dishwasher problems...

Ainat

We have a dishwasher that basically came with the house when we bought it (we moved in 1st March, house came with white goods). As first time buyers the fact the previous owner was including white goods was an added bonus. We know we're going to have to replace them, and she never tried to claim they were relatively new, etc. but it meant it wasn't an expense at the same time as everything else.

Anywho, back to the dishwasher. It's a Hotpoint Aquarius FDW20. It used to work fine, but now isn't cleaning properly (leaving traces of food on things, etc.) and is leaving a whiteish residue on some items (though not everything, which also confuses me). I've tried adding dishwasher salt and cleaning the dishwasher using some cleaning stuff from Sainsbury's. I've been using Finish Powerball tablets in it.

Having never actually owned a dishwasher before I'm not sure if there is something simple that I can do to try and fix the problem or if the dishwasher is simply on its way out. Google just seems to be telling me I need to add salt which I've already tried...

Any ideas?

pandora205

Are you using rinse aid? Although the tablets claim to be 'all in one' I find that makes a difference. You will also need to clean the jets on the spray arms, which may well be blocked. They click out quite easily for cleaning. I use a pin or toothpick to do this. Dishwashers will cope with most things but not solids which need to be rinsed off before putting stuff in.

adandem

You'll probably find there is a filter (usually at the bottom), this is removable and can be cleaned too.

trailingspouse

+1 for cleaning the filter.

It's usually at the 'front bottom' of the dishwasher (sorry, couldn't resist) and will probably need to be turned anti-clockwise to get it out. There will also probably be a metal mesh that comes out. Clean it all in a bowl of hot soapy water, an old toothbrush is handy for getting into all the nooks and crannies. Also clean around the place where the filter came out of, and inside where the door hinges.

Once you've done all that, replace the filter and the mesh and put the dishwasher on empty on the hottest wash with the proprietary cleaning stuff.

And THEN top up the salt and rinse aid. And you're good to go.

macman

Detach and clean the spray arms as well as the filter-the holes tend to clog eventually.

GwylimT

Do the white marks tend to be on glass items? It sounds like it just needs a good clean and the addition of rinse aid.

xyz123

+1 for cleaning filter and adding rinse aid. Just buy any supermarket brand rinse aid, unless you want to spend money buying branded stuff.

Ainat

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll give all of this a go and see what happens.