How do I clean my dishwasher from Calcium and lime from hard water?

Question

We move into our house and at the beginning the dishwasher worked perfectly, but with time dishes started to come out dirty. I took out the lower spray arm and found it full of calcium and lime residue; I tried to clean it with CLR and a wire, with some improvement. After couple of cycles the dishes went back to the same. Are there any other ways to clean and keep the dishwasher clean from this stuff??? Home remedies?

Answer 1

Have you tried Jet Dry?  This should help with spots and smudges on dishes and glasses.  

If your spray arm is still crusted, try to soak it in the CLR or some vinegar in the washtub or sink.  Use the bathtub if necessary.  

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, soaking it in CLR is a good idea, but then I'd do this:  Pour about 4 cups of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher.  Run your hot water in the sink until it is really hot.  Turn on the dishwasher to its longest cycle, and run it through (turn off heat drying to save energy).  See how it works after that.  The next move I'd make is to run Tang through it.  Just dump about a cup of Tang in the bottom of the dishwasher, and follow the procedure above.  Tang also removes rust, and it's great for cleaning a dishwasher.  Vinegar is cheaper, and sometimes it does the trick, so try it first.

Answer 3

run a gal of vinagar thru it [no dishes]  once a wk.

Answer 4

I have always used Iron out , run the dishwasher on empty from time to time and add a bit of it when you run a load of dishes , this will keep them from getting stained, I also use it in the laundry for the whites to prevent them from turning yellow , to scrub toilets, tubs, sinks  or anything that has a rust stain on , make sure to work in a well ventilated space open your windows or turn the fan on . Consider purchasing a water softener for the house.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605...

http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/IronO...

if you use vinegar just add some when you fill the soap dispenser and it will work together , but I have noticed that I send you Iron Out  and you said that you have Lime and calcium , so I don't know if that is going to work for you we had iron in our water this is why I suggested to use it , I will look if I find something else for you , check my answers later on !

Okay I have found some help for you , I was surprised to see that rhubarb as a good solution for lime problems , so you best to plant some , not only you can enjoy pies but you also have a cleanser available to you  from the garden.

http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/stain-...

Answer 5

clr is the only thing that i can think of that will work the best. if you own the house your really need to consider buying a water softener. you skin will be softer, dishes and laundry will be cleaner and you will use less soap.