Dishwasher – Poor Wash Performance

Automatic dishwashing detergents are now phosphate-free to comply with various state regulations that became effective July 1, 2010. Please check your detergent container to see if your detergent is phosphate-free. This may effect the cleaning performance. We recommend using a high rated detergent, such as Cascade or Finish and a rinse agent.

Check the wash cycle selection. Select the appropriate cycle for the dish load. Selecting a short or light wash cycle may save water and energy, but may not provide proper wash action for a heavily soiled load. If food soils remain on the dishware after the cycle, a longer cycle may be required. Please consult the Owner’s Manual. 

Water is the main ingredient in washing dishes. Water is a universal solvant and the hotter the better.  Proper water temperature is essential to achieve optimum results from your dishwasher and the detergent. Hot water is needed to dissolve and activate the detergent so that it can loosen and remove common food soils. The hot water heater should be set to deliver at least 120 degree Fahrenheit water to the dishwasher. Run the hot water at the kitchen sink until the water reaches the hottest temperature. Although this may seem to be a waste of water, the result will be improved performance therefore, eliminating rewashing or hand washing your dishes.

Use the added heat options to increase water temperature inside of the dishwasher. For example, use “Added Heat” or “Wash Heat Boost” or similar options if your dishwasher is equipped with these features. Think of all the times you filled a bowl or something with hot water and soap and let set to get the tough stuff off.  It was the water doing the most work.

Check the amount of detergent and the water hardness. The amount of detergent needed depends upon: water hardness, the amount of food soils left on the dish load, and the temperature of the water going into the dishwasher. For those who live in areas where Lake Michigan is your water source, don’t be fooled by the clarity of the water. Lake Michigan water is considered hard water and has a hardness level of around 11 grains hard. Soft water is less than 3 grains hard. If you do not have a water softener softening your water, it will affect the quality of your wash and the amount of detergents you will use. Today you can buy dishwashers that have small watersofteners built into them.  

More detergent is not always better. If you rinse your dishes clean before you wash them in the dishwasher there is nothing for the detergent to work on. The result is a foaming of the detergent and it will result in a filmy residue left on your dishes and glasses. Remember the dishwasher is a designed to wash dirty dishes and the cycles are designed to clean different amounts of soils and is not related directly to dish types.

Use a Rinse Agent. Rinse agents such as Jet Dry® promote wash and dry performance by causing the water to sheet off of the ware inside the dishwasher. This prevents water spots from forming on the glassware and dishware. It also assists in the drying of the dishes

Check the dishwasher loading. Make sure dishes are loaded properly to insure that water can reach all of the soiled surfaces in all racks. Please consult the Owner’s Manual. The Owner’s Manual will tell you the proper loading patterns for your specific dishwasher model.

Here are some common loading guidelines for assistance:

• Be sure that larger items do not block smaller items from the wash action.
• Place all items in both racks so that they are separated and face the center of the dishwasher. This will help to ensure that water reaches all soiled surfaces.
• Place glasses with the open end facing downward to allow proper washing action.
• Do not place glasses over the tines, but rest between the tines. This will allow the glasses to lean toward the spray arm and will improve wash performance. It also promotes dry performance by reducing the amount of water remaining on the top of the glass after the wash cycle is complete.
• Do not allow flatware to nest. This prevents proper water distribution between the surfaces. Load flatware, except knives, with some handles up and some down to prevent nesting. For safety, knives should always be loaded handles up.
• Do not block wash system parts including spray arms and towers located in the lower and/or upper racks.

Excessive amounts of food may clog the dishwasher filters and reduce wash performance. To prevent this from happening, scrape dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. It is not necessary to pre-wash your dishes, just scrape off the big chunks.

Not all dishwashers work the same. Think of them as mouse traps. All mouse traps catch mice, but differently. All dishwashers wash dishes, but differently. Just because they have similar controls and nomenclature does not always mean they are equal as a cycle or feature. Refer to your use and care manual for details on how to use the appliance for best results. Remember that the dishwasher is a slave to you and only does what you ask of it and the results are measurable by how you load it, how you choose the cycles, what the temperature of the water is, the hardness of the water and how you use the detergents and rinse aids.

For recommendations for choosing and using detergent and other questions you might have about dishwashers, call your experts at Young’s Appliances.
(thanks to General Electric for assisting with this blog)