My dishwasher does not always dry the dishes completely - even though I use the same cascade with each use.

probably needs a new spring. you can order a whole new door with spring easier, just search google for appliance parts

Check the temperature of the water. Should be 120 deg. Also are you using powder or liquid? Liquid dissolved a lot quicker that powder. So liquid is actually better to use. Try running the hot water at the sink until it gets hot before running the dishwasher. Also you may want to try mixing half cascade liquid and half lemon shine.

Hi,

The scum, film and white residue problems have started since the reduction of phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

Here is a tip that will help you to solve the problem of films, residue, and scum in your dishwasher.

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101
/............

Using a light lubricant, you might place a drop or two of oil on the upper rack's rail wheels or the bottom if either squeaks when pulled out. Take a look at the wheels on each rack (up and lower) to see if either is damaged or is not rolling properly on the rails. There's nothing to explain the "scum" other than the water coming into the machine....Cascade is a good brand and a minimal amount is needed for each load. The CUP located in the door of most machines will hold about twice what's required to clean a load of dishes,pans,etc. Cascade has a RINSE AGENT included in its manufacture. Be sure to rinse your dishes well before loading. Try different settings and see if it makes a difference.
If you have the time, take the lower rack completely out, when the machine is cold and the water has been pumped out of the chamber. With your fingers, feel around the bottom-center, check for debris, forks or other objects that can sometimes collect under the lower plate and under the drying element.
There's little to speak of, dishwashers are merely "boxes with spinning hoses and a drying element" so any liquid "coming-into" the wash-cycle is a function of your local water supply and plumbing. Sometimes "hard" water causes a "scum" and people will use softeners which are installed outside and will "clarify" water before inputting into your house. That would be a last resort.

Hi,
Check your heating element..

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers…

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

heatman101

Asker's Testimonial " explanation very clear. will give it a go and see how simple it was. thanks Ronnie " - ronnieshomes

depending were you live they changed the formula in cascade,but they are doin a new formula are you using a rinse agent? claean the machine clean spray arms and soap dispencer,with no dishes run machine with 1cup of CLR or 2Cup of vinegar just pour in tub and let it run full cycle no drying.Thanks

I have a Whirlpool Gold dishwasher and had the same trouble. I found the solution. Fill the detergent dispenser to the top with Cascade Complete liquid gel - it is in a green bottle, then put a half a cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the tub before you start the dishwasher. I have tried them all and Cascade Complete Gel works best. Don't use powder. It really builds-up on my dishes and only the gel keeps the film off my dishes.

I also add Jet Dry in the rinse-aid dispenser but I have a friend who use vinegar in that too. The dishes come out sparkling clean with no film or white build-up. If they still are filmy after three washes using this method, then you may have some build-up in the dishwasher and you can put a cup or two of white vinegar in the bottom - with no detergent or dishes and wash and rinse well. That helps get rid of build-up.

hello. this will help a great deal.

First of all empty out your dishwasher, toss in two cups of plain white or cider vinegar and run it on the highest and longest cycle.

Always run the hot water in the sink first and start the dishwasher only when the water is as hot as it will get.

This wash will clean out your dishwasher thoroughly.

Then always do your dishes after you have rinsed any residue off of them before placing them in the dishwasher and I always recommend the pot scrubber cycle if you have one.

I think I can help. We have the same dishwasher and we have very hard water. The dry powder detergents don't work well. We have found Cascade All in One Gel detergent works best and we use only a little; don't go beyond the first mark in the detergent dispenser, regardless what the instructions say. We have found using more of any detergent makes white film. Don't fill up the pre-wash side either. The Cascade All in One Gel does both at one time, so no need to put some in the pre-wash side. Also keep Jet Dry in the rinse dispenser and make sure it is set up higher, turn the arrow to 4. Try that and move up if needed. Next, we put half a cup of white vinegar in the dishwasher, just pour it in the bottom each time, right before we wash the dishes. This works GREAT! We used the white vinegar in on our former dishwasher of 9 years and never had any trouble with any film buildup. The vinegar cuts all the film and makes glasses look terrific.

If you are still are having trouble, cut out the Heated Dry at then end. The heat can cake hard water on your dishes. It may not dry the dishes as well, but it seems to stop any buildup. Using the vinegar though, we use the Heated Dry and still have no film buildup. So for us, we use a small amount of Cascade All in One Gel detergent (buy this basic gel, no added anything), 1/2 cup white vinegar poured in the bottom and Jet Dry in the rinse dispenser. We always have sparkling clean dishes with no hard water buildup. If you don't have real hard water, but just a little hard water, you might try decreasing the white vinegar to 1/4 cup and increase it if you start seeing the white film build back up. Also don't overload the dishwasher. Make sure there is space in-between each dish and have all plates face toward the center.

Make sure you turn your sink faucet on to as hot as you can get it and run the water until it is hot, then turn off the faucet and turn on the dishwasher. This helps to keep the dishwasher from running longer, which would mean more hard water swishing around longer if you don't heat the water, and you know what that means, plus the heating element has to work harder to get the temp up and that makes it burn out quicker. Once a month check your jet sprays, that turn around in your dishwasher, because the little holes can stop up with hard water gunk and this will cause film on your dishes to build up. Take a toothpick and crush the gunk in any holes and make it go out of the holes. Hope this helps you!

Hi Dirty Dish gang.
After having 2 appliance repairmen here, I now have the latest scoop on our dishwasher problems, $200 later!
Los Angeles IS currently having hard water issues. Also, all the new cleaning gels etc. are actually a cause of our dishwasher problems.  
So, here is what we need to do:
1. Use Cascade POWDER detergent only.  Make sure is is just "plain" no "scented" or "complete"  or gel, etc. (I have tried a phosphate free powder and gel and this is a cause of our problem as well!) 2. Use Jet Dry in the dispenser (set it to a 2-3 opening) 3. Make sure water is at least 120 degrees 4. Only run dishwasher on "normal" setting.  All others just run it longer, hence causing more water stains. 5. Do not pre-wash dishes! You can knock of chunks with a "non" soapy brush, but don't rinse (the oils actually help to clean the dishes) 6.  Do not wash sponges in dishwasher.
Acid Wash: The repairman just gave my washer an Acid Wash today. It says it is an acid derived from lemon, I got mine from Carters appliance in Torrance, CA for about $19. I am to run a normal cycle with the above mentioned Cascade after this "acid cycle" is finished.
If you are still having problems:
Monthly maintenance: Glass Magic: Buy a box of Glass Magic (near the Cascade)  Use 1 Tbsb in main detergent compartment of dishwasher along with the Cascade, till washer starts working again. White Vinegar: You can run an empty dishwasher with white vinegar once a month.  Fill a bowl with 2 cups vinegar and place on bottom rack.  Then run as a normal cycle...this allows vinegar to disperse slowly.
So far it seems to be working.  Good luck.