We just bought a house with this dishwasher in it. It was not used for a year. When we have used it, it leaves a white powder all over the dishes and it doesn't clean the dishes. Do you have any suggestions?

If rinse aid levels in dispensor are ok then check if it is being used. the rinse aid setting may be set too low.

Hi, I have an older dishwasher also and recently mywife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I amtried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installedthem in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also foundthat if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad...So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to makesure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the onlinebuying...
Dishwasher SprayArms not Spinning

How to Buy ApplianceParts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The HeatingElement not Working

DishwasherMaintenance DishwasherResidue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

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

Hi,

The scum, film and white residueproblems have started since the reductionof phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

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

DishwasherResidue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

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

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1)scaling in the boiler tank.(boiler tank to be cleaned)
2)water hardness is more.

Try these things in order:

-Try to use a name brand powder, rather then a generic. Even a small box. I had similar problems with my LG dishwasher when I tried to save money by buying a generic powder. My dishes did not get clean and white marks were left behind on my stainless steel DW liner and the dishes. When you ad the powder, do not over fill the dispenser. Add less than the full dispenser cup and close it. Place some powder in that shallow square indent on the dispenser lid to help the pre-wash cycle. Also, run the water in the sink until hot water runs immediately before you start the DW.

-If, after using Electrosol or Cascade for 2 - 3 loads and your dishes do not come out clean, then I would run a load of dishes without adding the soap. Start the dishwasher and wait for it to fill and begin to wash. Open the door and add one cup of vinegar (white vinegar is fine.) Feel free to ad another cup after the first wash water drains and the second wash water enters and the DW begins the wash cycle again. Run a load of dirty dishes with the soap and check for good cleaning.

-If the problems continue, it is time to remove the filter assembly by removing the 9 silver phillips screws from the filter assembly. You will also need to remove the lower sprayer arm by pulling straight up and then out. With a flashlight, inspect the sump area that was hidden by the filter assembly, looking for any debris that has jammed into anywhere down there. Watch out for broken glass as you feel around. Reassemble and test with a load of dirty dishes.

The poor drying may be caused by not keeping the rinse aid re-filled. Check that first.

Also, these water and energy conserving dishwashers actually use the "dirt" from the dirty dishes to help clean the dishes during the first two wash cycles. Simply clear the big chunks off the dishes and put the dishes in the DW.

Please report back what you find or if you have more questions. OK?

Quit using the new Cascade. The formula change is what is causing the problem. No research from Cascade before releasing the product

the is a new product out called the dishwasher filtration system. it actually filters the water going into your dishwasher and leaves your dishes spot free. after the first load i was amazed that the white film was gone and my dishes were sparkling. you can get it at www.dishwasherfilter.com.

To check on the source of the white powder (calcium?) soak some dishes in vinegar to see if this cleans them up nicely ... or if the 'white powder' is actually permanent etching. You may have very 'hard' water and will need to deal with that with a water softener or additives.

Read the following article for a better understanding and try the vinegar test . (also ensure you are using dishwasher specific salt to regenerate your integral softener... assuming you have one)
http://www.dishwasher-care.org.uk/best.html

the problem is hard water and there is a new product out called the dishwasher filtration system. it actually filters the water going into your dishwasher and leaves your dishes spot free. after the first load i was amazed that the white film was gone and my dishes were sparkling. you can get it at www.dishwasherfilter.com.