The dishwasher has made cleanup at the end of the day so much easier. In fact, this method of cleaning dishes has become so convenient that we often take it for granted. That is, until we swing the dishwasher door open the next morning, only to find half-cleaned plates, greasy glasses, and food-caked silverware.
After a long day of work, shuttling the kids to and from their afterschool activities, and finally getting dinner on the table, the last thing you want to do is stand at the kitchen sink, re-scrubbing the very dishes your appliance was supposed to handle. But before you resign yourself to the reality of handwashing dishes, check out the top reasons your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly and find out how to address each problem.
1. You’re Not Loading the Dishwasher Correctly
A dishwasher is a marvel of engineering, but it still has its limits. For example, overcrowding the racks, placing large items in a way that blocks the spray arms, or nesting bowls and spoons together prevents water and detergent from reaching every surface. Similarly, tall baking sheets or large pots can prevent a whole section of your dishwasher from getting cleaned.
To avoid these problems, stick to the following tips for loading a dishwasher:
- Don’t Overload: Give your dishes enough space so that water can circulate freely around each item. If you have too many dirty dishes to make this feasible, remember that it’s better to run two reasonably full loads than one crammed to the brim.
- Place Dishes Face Down and Angled In: Place plates and bowls on the racks with the dirty side facing the center and angled downwards. This orientation gives them the most direct exposure to the water jets from the spray arms below.
- Understand When to Use the Top Rack vs. the Bottom Rack: The top rack is designed for glasses, mugs, and plastics (which are more susceptible to heat damage). The bottom rack is for heartier items like plates, pots, and pans.
- Take Extra Care With Silverware: Use the silverware basket slots to keep spoons and forks from nesting. Alternate them head-to-tail to maximize separation. If your basket doesn’t have dividers, mix them up to prevent spooning.
- Check for Blockages: Before you hit “Start,” give the spray arms a gentle spin with your hand. If they hit anything, rearrange the dishes until they can rotate freely.
2. The Spray Arms Are Clogged or Damaged
If you’ve mastered the art of loading a dishwasher and you still can’t get dishes cleaned properly, it’s time to inspect the spray arms themselves.
Over time, the small holes where the water jets out can become clogged with mineral deposits (from hard water) and tiny food particles that have slipped through the filter. When the jet holes are blocked, the water pressure is reduced, and you do not get an effective spray. In some cases, the plastic seams of the spray arm can split open, causing water to gush out from the side instead of spraying upwards onto the dishes.
The good news is that cleaning the spray arms is a straightforward maintenance task that homeowners can manage on their own. Here’s how to clean your dishwasher’s spray arms:
- Remove the Arms: The lower arm usually just lifts off its mount. The upper arm might be held in place by a plastic locking nut or a clip that you need to unscrew or release. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
- Inspect and Clean: Once removed, use a toothpick, a pair of needle-nose pliers, or a stiff wire to poke out any visible debris from the jet holes.
- Soak and Rinse: For a deeper clean, soak the arms in a bath of warm white vinegar for about 15-20 minutes. This will help dissolve stubborn mineral deposits. After soaking, rinse the arms thoroughly under a faucet, ensuring water flows freely through all the holes.
- Reinstall: Place the arms back in the dishwasher and secure them down.
If you notice a large crack or split in a spray arm, it will need to be replaced. Contact your local dishwasher repair team for the best results.
3. The Filter Is Dirty
As the name would suggest, your dishwasher’s filter catches larger food debris and prevents it from being recirculated back onto your clean dishes. If this filter becomes clogged with old food, it can’t do its job effectively. In some cases, the dirty water from the filter may splash up, creating a gritty film or leaving specks of food behind on plates and bowls. A dirty filter can also cause unpleasant odors to emanate from the machine.
Because the filter plays such a central role in your dishwasher’s operation, it’s important to clean the component at least once a month. Here’s how you can do this properly:
- Locate and Remove the Filter: The filter is typically a cylindrical component located on the floor of the dishwasher tub, usually under the bottom spray arm. It often consists of two parts: a coarse outer filter and a fine mesh inner filter. Most twist to unlock (often indicated by arrows).
- Wash the Filter Thoroughly: Take the filter components to the sink and wash them with hot, soapy water and a soft brush. Get all the gunk out of the mesh screen. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads, which can damage the fine mesh.
- Rinse and Replace the Filter: Rinse them completely and lock them back into place. Do not run your dishwasher without the filter, as this can lead to severe damage to the pump and other components.
4. Your Water Isn’t Hot Enough
Detergent needs hot water to dissolve properly and activate its enzymes, which are designed to break down food proteins and starches. If your dishwasher is filling with lukewarm or cold water, it may not be using enough detergent to get your dishes sparkling clean.
Why is the water in your dishwasher not hot enough? The problem can often be traced back to an issue with your home’s main water heater or the dishwasher’s own heating element.
To troubleshoot the issue, start by making sure your water heater is set to a minimum of 120°F. Then, before starting a cycle on your dishwasher, run the hot water at your kitchen sink for a minute until it’s hot to the touch. This purges the cold water from the line and helps your dishwasher start its fill cycle with hot water immediately.
If your water heater’s performance checks out and you suspect the dishwasher’s heating element is the problem, you will need to call a professional appliance repair company. A technician can use a multimeter to test its functionality and replace the part if it’s faulty.
5. Malfunctioning Detergent Dispenser
The detergent dispenser door is timed to pop open at the perfect moment in the wash cycle to release the soap. If it fails to open, your dishes get nothing but a hot water rinse.
To solve this problem, make sure there aren’t any tall utensils or plates physically blocking the dispenser from opening. If everything checks out, try cleaning the dispenser cup and its door to remove old detergent that may be gumming up the works.
If the door still won’t open, the latch or opening mechanism is likely broken. You will want to have a qualified technician replace the dispenser assembly.
Still Stumped by a Dishwasher That Won’t Clean? We Can Help!
If you’ve worked your way through these troubleshooting steps and your dishes are still coming out dirty, there is likely a more complex issue at play, such as a faulty water inlet valve, a worn-out circulation pump, or an electronic control board failure. These are all problems that require the diagnostic tools and expertise of a professional appliance repair technician.
The good news for homeowners in Alameda County and Contra Costa County is that the team at FixEm Appliance Repair is just around the corner. Our certified technicians have the experience to quickly diagnose dishwasher problems and provide reliable, lasting solutions for appliances from an array of brands.
Ready for sparkling clean dishes again? Book your service with FixEm Appliance Repair today and let us handle the dirty work! You can count on us for honest service and transparent pricing.
