My dishwasher isn't getting my dishes clean anymore? What do I do?

Question

It is a 5 year old Kenmore dishwasher and I try to clean out the inside at least once a month and make sure there isn't any food down in the bottom of it. However, there is a black film around the door seal, but it isn't near the dishes, and I keep cleaning it, but it keeps coming back. And lately, I've noticed my dishes are not as clean as they used to be, often having to run them through a second cycle. Sometimes, even then, they still aren't clean. I do pre-rinse before I run the dishwasher.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Before you go to replace the thing, see if you can get it repaired. Kenmore has good repair people. But one thing you might want to try first is run it with no dishes in it, and instead of detergent, just use some vitamin C powder. You can buy it at the pharmacy, or at some grocery stores. If you can't find that, a high acid beverage power like Tang may work.

Finally, if you have any way to check that the pipes aren't blocked, do that. Your dishwasher may be backwashing from a blockage in the U trap. Try plunging your garbage disposal or sink drain, as the same pipes are usually connected to the dishwasher. If it won't plunge, you may have to cover the hole in the other sink to get the suction going.

Answer 2

If your machine has a salt crystal container in it somewhere check to see if it is full.  If not, buy large grain salt and fill it up.  This removres the hard ions in the water like calcium which when not removed leave a filmy look on everything even if you do a hot wash.

I suggest that you find the instructions manual if it is around somewhere and have a look at it.

Answer 3

Could be mold around the seal from moisture build up due to the seal being no good anymore.  Maybe you need to replace it.  That's a shame.  I have a Kenmore and I don't even have to pre-rinse my stuff.  Does a great job and it wasn't even one of the more expensive ones.  

I think there's something in the supermarket that you throw into your empty dishwasher and then put it through a cycle.  It's some kind of cleaner for it.  Check that out and see if that works.  It might just have a lot of built up **** in it that needs to be cleaned.