The dishwasher no longer cleans properly – Causes & Solutions

The most common reason for dirty dishes after washing is the machine itself. Over time, dirt builds up inside. If this is the case, it can also no longer clean the dishes properly. Food residues & Co are always stirred up and settle on the dishes. How to clean the dishwasher properly, we have summarized in a separate article.

Special machine cleaners are also available in stores that you can use at regular intervals, or alternatively home remedies such as citric acid or baking soda. They ensure a clean dishwasher, but you should proceed exactly according to the instructions for use.

Also, make sure that the dishes you put in the dishwasher under £500 are not too much stubborn food residues. If you pay attention to this, you’ll ensure that the machine doesn’t get dirty in the first place. Pre-rinsing by hand, on the other hand, is not necessary and is even not recommended.

If your water is very hard and dishwasher salt is missing, the dishes will not clean properly. Most machines will indicate when this is the case. Add salt regularly, it is used for water descaling. “Hard” water becomes “soft” water, much less dirt residue remains on the dishes.

Another cause for not clean dishes can be the wrong dosage with dishwasher tabs. If you have calciferous water coming out of the tap, you need regeneration salt and rinse aid. Check that you are using the right tabs, don’t cut corners and go for high-quality products. If necessary, you can also add two tabs to the machine.

It can happen that the spray arms of the dishwasher under £400 are stuck. Especially if you’ve set up the machine so that the arms can’t turn freely due to high dishes or pots. Before starting, check to make sure the lower and upper arms have free range of motion. Simply turn the spray arms manually for a short time. Also check periodically on the extinguishers through which the water is sprayed are not clogged.

Sometimes the cleaning container does not open, the tab is not dispensed during the cleaning process and cannot dissolve. Therefore, also test before rinsing whether the flap can open or is possibly blocked.

Another cause can be a clogged dirt filter. Check the dishwasher strainer above the drain, it is usually located in the center of the machine. A clogged filter will prevent the water from draining. This is constantly transported back through the pump into the rinse arms. From there it spreads again over the dishes, which of course then cannot get clean. The clogged drain strainer reduces the flow of water, and the dishwasher no longer cleans properly. Regular inspection of the drain strainer therefore prevents the dishwasher from becoming clogged.

Glassware or drinking glasses, in particular, quickly fail to get properly clean. They lose their shine through the rinsing processes and tarnish. Glass should not be cleaned too hot, it is best to choose two separate processes, one for the dishes and pots, a second for the glasses. If you want your glasses to keep their shine, wash them by hand.

When the dishwasher stops cleaning properly, an unpleasant odor often forms as well. Germs and residues settle on seals and filters. You should clean these areas regularly with a special cleaning agent. If the odor persists, it may also be due to a kinked wastewater hose. Avoid long standing times of the dishwasher contents, rather start the machine once more or rinse small amounts by hand.