Frequently Asked Questions
dishwasher not cleaning properly?
Cold water is less effective at breaking down debris, so if your dishwasher’s water temperature isn’t hot enough, it may not be able to sufficiently clean the top rack. To check the water temperature in your dishwasher, you’ll want to use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the rinse cycle. Anywhere between 130°F and 140°F is considered optimal for cleaning dishes in a dishwasher. If you find the temp is lower than that, you may need to adjust your dishwasher’s settings accordingly.
Rinse aid is a detergent additive that helps prevent spotting on dishes after they have gone through the dishwasher’s rinse cycle. This is an important part of ensuring the top rack of your dishwasher gets properly cleaned. The next step then, is to make sure the rinse aid dispenser in your dishwasher is working properly. To do this, check and make sure the piston doesn’t get stuck in the “on” position, as this would prevent it from releasing the necessary amount of rinse aid over each cycle. You can also check to ensure there is enough rinse aid in the dispenser for it to work effectively.
Before troubleshooting, it’s important to clean out coarse debris from the filters and tub rims of your dishwasher. Coarse debris can include food particles, wrappers and packaging, etc., that may have been accidentally washed down into the machine’s filters or rims and prevent proper cleaning of dishes. To remove the particles and food scraps from the tub rims and filters, you can use a toothbrush or other cleaning brush to scrub them out. This will help ensure there aren’t any blockages in these areas that could be hampering your dishwasher’s performance.
One of the most common reasons top racks may not be cleaning properly is because the detergent isn’t being dispensed correctly. Check your dishwasher dispenser and make sure it’s not blocked or clogged with any bits of food, detergent or grease. You should also make sure that your detergent is still fresh and hasn’t expired — replacing old detergent can often remedy cleaning issues. Consider trying a new type of detergent; if you’ve been using powder, try switching to gel or liquid for different results.
Make sure your dishwasher is levelled with the rest of your kitchen appliances; too much tilt can result in dirty dishes as water won’t be able to spray uniformly on all levels. Also, ensure that the dishwasher isn’t vibrating excessively — this could cause the top rack to shake, grime to splatter and dirt to build up on surfaces. Check for any obstructions that could be making it vibrate, such as a loose pipe or an unbalanced adjuster and tighten them accordingly.