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How can we prevent dishwasher detergent residue?

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Date: 07/19/2006 Topics: Cleaning > Dishes | Readers Request > Cleaning  
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Our dishwasher leaves a residue of detergent on everything we wash - especially glasses and plastic baby bottles. We've tried different detergents (powder and liquid), changed the amount of detergent (more and less), we use Jet-Dry, we've increased our water temperature, but the problem is still occurring. Does any one have any ideas for preventing detergent residue on dishes in the dishwasher? We're also looking for nontoxic detergent options.

Sarah from Brooklyn Center, MN
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By Bomans (2) Contact
From experience, don't use more than 1 tablespoon of detergent. No rinse agent. The detergents have the agent in them. Lemi Shine is for hard water. If it is detergent buildup, Lemi Shine will aggravate the problem. I am taking the advice of ThriftyFun member and trying Lemonade Kool Aid. I have a new KitchenAid top-of-the line dishwasher but doing dishes by hand and I will neverbuy that brand again. The washer has 2 cups for detergents when you shouldn't even use one full. It also has a rinse agent cup which you shouldn't use. It is clearly a design flaw and Customer Service isn't any help. They offered 25% off a new one.

Posted on 09/01/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lisa J. (Guest Post)
I physically wash my glass items with CLR lime remover before putting them in dishwasher. Add detergent as specified. I put full strength vinegar in my rinse dispenser. Using CLR is the only way I can get my glassware to come out spotless. I do not have a water softener and have very hard water.

Posted on 02/09/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lisa J. (Guest Post)
I physically wash my glass items with CLR lime remover before putting them in dishwasher. Add detergent as specified. I put full strength vinegar in my rinse dispenser. Using CLR is the only way I can get my glassware to come out spotless. I do not have a water softener and have very hard water.

Posted on 02/08/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Mr Wong (Guest Post)
I think that it is possible that the jet dry is leaving the resin. I have been using it for a while now and it does leave a residue that you have to really scub to get off. Not to say that is it your problem but something else that you can try. also you have to really scub your dishes to get that resin off before you try it again, unless you have the new dishwasher with a washing arm.

Posted on 02/01/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By marina. (Guest Post)
I purchased lemi shine in dishwasher isle in walmart. Used when I got home it worked miracles. Would recommend it to anyone.

Posted on 09/22/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Bruce Arnold (Guest Post)
I had the same problem for over 40 years. Then, I found a product called Lemi-Shine. Found it at Wal_Mart.
I also use Wal-Mart powdered detergent. Add about two teaspoons of Lemi-Shine, and I believe your problems will be solved. It may take awhile for the film to dissolve, but eventually it will. Also, have you checked the hot water line fliter? Sometimes these plug and do not allow the full amount of water to enter the dishwasher.

Posted on 06/25/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By frustrated (Guest Post)
What is CLR? I have the same build up and have used a product by Leslie's Pools to remove Calcium build up from pools. It has worked great to loosen the deposits, but I'd like some way to prevent this from recurring.

Posted on 12/27/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By laran (Guest Post)
My dishwasher was so bad that I had to go off my instinct and disassemble the components in the bottom reservoir. I had to chissel them away with a butter knife, shop vac it and run the dishwasher on the heaviest cycle with 1 cup of bleach and an entire bottle of white vinegar. It seems to have helped. I think from now on I will be using white vinegar at least once a week to give it a "bath" in hopes of preventing this in the future. Our water is very hard (Florida) and the calcium build-up was unbelievable! If anyone has tried CLR and had luck, please let me know! Thanks!

Posted on 12/20/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Robert (Guest Post)
I have a heavy scale buildup in my dishwasher, its calcium or lime buildup any solutions? Smells like plastic, a very annoying smell.

Posted on 09/24/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Kat (Guest Post)
We just invested in our first dishwasher after 20 years, and I was so excited to have one. But we also have a film now every time we wash dishes. However, it's not a scaly, white film; it's a greasy, soapy film. They look clean, but they don't squeak when you run your finger across them; they smudge. We, too, have tried different detergents, different amounts, and, of course, Jet-Dry. When I run it without any detergent, just Jet-Dry, the dishes are BEAUTIFUL! I'm wondering if I even need to bother with soap. I'm tired of rinsing all my dishes when they come out of the dishwasher!

Posted on 09/20/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Crabby Patty (Guest Post)
I have the same problem on a $1,000 dishwasher that I have only had for a few years. It's all stainless steel inside aand its all covered in white calcium. I have been running vinigar in it all day and after each cycle it is starting to look a little better. One guy on here said to let it sit overnight and that should dissolve the calcium on the bottom. I'll try that! Thanks!

Posted on 09/11/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Kyriana (Guest Post)
I was having the same problem of residue on my dishes. I have been adding straight white vinegar as the rinse aid and sprinkle about 1/2 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher. Use my regular detergent and VOILA! My dishes are now clean and residue free.
Oh yeah, I also have super hard water.

Posted on 07/09/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Sheraone (62) Contact
I agree about a water softener. Have also read that using lemonade drink crystals in the soap dispenser on an empty cycle will clean the deposits because of the citric acid in it.

Never had the problem so I cant vouch for it. But a cleaning product called (Lemi)shine sounds like a citirc acid base too.

Posted on 07/08/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By symbi (Guest Post)
I have to use Glass Magic (phosphate) in order to get clean dishes. We have very hard water where I live (central california). I'd rather not have soft water because its bad for the watershed. But, so is phosphate. I've decided that since I run my dishwasher twice a week I'm choosing the lesser of two evils. I have a newer version of the same dishwasher at work, and everything comes out looking great -- same water source. I've read that some dishwashers have a built in water softener. This may explain why some people with hard water don't need to add anything, while some do. Still this doesn't solve my problem tonight. I'm out of glass magic, all stores in town are out of it, and my dishwasher is full. Have tried vinegar, baking soda, but nothing works. Will look for that small water softener (thanks) just for the dishwasher though I hate to sacrifice ALL my undersink space...

Posted on 07/08/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Minnestota Mommy (Guest Post)
I live in Lakeville, MN and we have really hard water too. After paying a $70 service call to an appliance repairman, he told me that it's hard water and I need to have my water softener serviced. They said my injectors may need to be cleaned.

So it turns out my water softener hasn't been working right for the last month or so, so I have nasty deposits on all my glasses and baby bottles too. A little CLR will clean the glasses, but it's not recommended for baby bottles.

Editor's Note: Try soaking the baby bottles in hot water and distilled vinegar.

Posted on 03/16/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Ann31485 (1) Contact
I live in a area with really hard water. All of my dishes, glasses and cups looked horrible - even if I hand washed them. I would soak everything in vinegar every once in awhile just to make them look half way presentable. Then I discovered Lemi Shine and now everything looks beautiful. My glasses sparkle, there is no longer that crusty film on everything. My silverware looks brand new. I actually look forward to emptying the dishwaher now, because I know everything is going to be clean.

Posted on 10/27/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By sparky (Guest Post)
Use Lemi-Shine (you can get it at Wal-Mart). I will not run my dishwasher without it! It cleaned out my dishwasher, all of my glasses are shiny (for the first time in years!) and it is safe for my septic tank.

Posted on 10/23/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By cookwie (1260) Profile Contact
The once a month dishwasher cleaner is available at Wal-Mart and other stores in the dishwasher detergent aisle.
It's called "Jet Dry Dishwasher Cleaner" and is quite simple to use. There is another brand, but as it's not available here, you'll have to find yout for yourself.

You pull the tab off the bottle (this exposes the wax plug). You place it upside down in the silverware holder in an empty dishwasher and run the dishwasher on the hottest and longest cycle.
This does a nice job of cleaning the interior of the dishwasher and helping the reservoir/grid where the ground up food accumulates to empty itself.
I know that the ground up food is supposed to be flushed away every time you do the dishes, but my dishwasher isn't doing that. I have had the repair guy over twice and tomorrow will be the next time. Maytag isn't living up to its reputation.

Posted on 09/13/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By michael mcnamara (Guest Post)
i have so much calcium buildup in the bottom of my dishwasher that the water is not draining. its either the calcium or an even bigger problem. i disassembled all the the little pieces at the bottom of the dishwasher. i have thought of putting CLR in the bottom for about two minutes and then diluting it, but i havent performed that due to the fact that i am worried that i will be causing a bigger problem. should i just call a plumber and let him handle it.

Editor's Note: One thing that wouldn't harm anything and might just work is filling the bottom of the dishwasher with white vinegar (you can buy a gallon for a couple of dollars) and let it sit overnight, then run it without dishes in the morning. Vinegar should dissolve the deposits. I'd use that before CLR because it is much more food friendly.

Posted on 09/12/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Allison (Guest Post)
Have you tried using less detergent? I only fill up one of the 4 sections in the detergent cup and it works just fine. I also really like the Cascade Complete detergent. I don't prerinse dishes, and there's nothing left on them after using that.

Posted on 07/26/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Grandma Margie (176) Contact
Put in 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar at the beginning of the final rinse cycle. Always works for me!

Posted on 07/21/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By suzi_homemaker01 (Guest Post)
It's probably not the detergent but hard water stains instead. You can buy a mini-water softener system for about $45 at Walmart that is just for your kitchen sink and dishwasher. Maybe you could try that!

Posted on 07/21/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By KLS8800 (Guest Post)
We have a dishwasher, and once a month, we get something that is sold in the same aisle as your detergent. It goes upside down in your flatware box, and you run the dishwasher empty. It cleans your dishwasher of the little things we don't think about. That may help. At least if nothing else, you are giving your dishwasher a bath. It may help...

Posted on 07/20/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By carla bledsoe (Guest Post)
sounds like hard water deposits. try some white vinegar in the rinse. maybe a lot of vinegar.

Posted on 07/20/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By grayhairedmomma in IA (Guest Post)
I've notice with our dishwasher that we get alot of detergent residue when our water softener is out of salt. When the water softener is working properly I don't even need to use Jet-Dry, and when it isn't working the Jet-Dry does nothing.

Posted on 07/20/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Carol in PA (Guest Post)
I think most of the kind of problem you described comes from the water that is used to wash the dishes. I have my own well and have very hard water. I have no problems with spotting or residue left on dishes. I use Electrosol powder or gel. I usually put powder in the first container and gel in the 2nd.. but I only fill them half full. I dont use Jet Dry because I dont need it.

My daughter has the same problem you have. She was overloading her dishwasher and using it on a lesser cycle...

Good luck

Posted on 07/20/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By halloweenfreak (44) Contact
well i know gel detergents are bad for dishwashers, so stay away from those. have you looked at the sprayer arms? could they possibly be gunked up? you might try putting some CLR in the bottom and letting it sit all day and then run it thru a cycle. you could have hard water too, which means you'd have to have a detergent with a higher ph level. thats all i can think of right off. hope something helps.

Posted on 07/20/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

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