What are common problems on dishwashers? Mine is not washing properly. What should i check?

Question

It was, but not now..... It washes but not very well. It used to work really well.

What should i check?

I have never had one before and this one is second hand so i have no book or experience with these things.

Answer 1

1st thing, check that there is no garbage blocking the drain grid.

Answer 2

Make sure the filters at the bottom are not clogged up with bits of food.  Then buy a bottle of Finish dishwasher fluid and follow the instructions to clean your dishwasher.  Use calgon tablets every now and then to prevent limescale buildup.  Make sure the machine doesnt need salt or rinse aid.  Finally have you changed your detergent?  I find Fairy liquitabs are the only ones that work well at all.

Hope this helps !

Answer 3

Check the bottom drain, it may be partially clogged, but also check the holes in the arms.  They too become clogged.  Take a piece of wire and poke around trying to open them up.

To clean dishwasher, first make sure the water is really hot at the machine........run hotwater at the sink to pull in the hottest water for the machine.  Now pour into the dishwasher a whole container of Tang orange drink and run the machine.  The citric acid in the Tang cleans the crud off the machine and helps unplug the holes in the arms.

Answer 4

First check to make sure you have loaded your dishwasher properly, this is a must in order to get good washing results, all dishes should be facing the jets

Don't use old dishwasher detergent as this can affect cleaning effectiveness and use a quality dishwasher detergent this helps get better results in cleaning, suggested brands to use that are very good are: Cascade, Walmarts Great Value or Cosco's Kirkland brands these are very good

Make sure you are using very hot water this is very important as this will help dissolve the detergent so you get a better quality wash

Also recommended are alternatives to rinse aid products which work better for less is White Vinegar just fill your rinse aid dispenser with vinegar instead of rinse aid products

You should also keep your dishwasher clean this can be done by adding one cup of White Vinegar to the dishwasher do not add any dishes or dishwasher detergent and set on full cycle again make sure you are using hot water, this can be done about twice a month in order to keep the dishwasher tub clean this will help your dishwasher clean your dishes more effectively, follow all these instructions and you will notice a difference in your dishwashers performance And do not use liquid dishwasher detergent they do not work well Good Luck !

Answer 5

Buy a new one.