Is Your Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 7 Reasons Why

Your home appliances are complex machines, with intricate electrical wiring, plumbing connections and gas lines. If something goes wrong with your appliances, it can cause various issues, such as your dishwasher not cleaning properly. In these cases, you might need to hire a professional for Madison appliance repair to make your busy life easier.

If you still have dirty dishes after the wash cycle has completed, you know you have a problem. But, several things can lead to your dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly, or at all. In their years on the job, responding to repair service requests, our service professionals have seen their fair share of problems, and these are some of the common issues that mean your dishwasher is not cleaning as it should.

Type of Detergent Used

As cliché as it may sound, the reason your dishwasher is not cleaning could be your detergent. The detergent you use to clean dishes in this appliance needs to be able to handle grease, dried food residue, and tough stains. This means you shouldn’t use the gentle-on-hands dish soap you use when hand washing your dishes. Instead, opt for a specially formulated, high-quality detergent rather than cheap dish soap.

Most dishwasher detergents come in powder, gel, or tablet form. Powdered detergents are typically the most affordable option and work well for everyday dishwashing. Gels are convenient and effective for tackling tough stains, while tablets provide a pre-measured dose for easy use. Whichever form you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal cleaning results. Additionally, consider adding a rinse agent to ensure you get sparkling clean dishes.

If your dishes aren’t getting clean after running your dishwasher, try switching dishwasher detergents first, to see if that makes a difference, before calling for an appliance repairman.

User Error

A common cause for your dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly is how you’re loading it. Improper loading can lead to poor water circulation and inadequate coverage of the dishes. To ensure optimal cleaning, when loading dishes it is important to ensure there's adequate space between items, allowing for unobstructed water flow and efficient detergent distribution. For instance, ensure cups and bowls are not facing up, and smaller items, like Tupperware lids, are secured in place before starting any dishwasher cycle. Also ensure that nothing is blocking the movement of any components, like the spray arm, to ensure proper coverage.

Another common user error is using too much dishwasher detergent. This can result in excessive suds and may even lead to leaks or damage to the dishwasher over time. It's important to carefully measure and use the recommended amount of detergent for each load.

Be sure to consult your appliance manual to ensure you’re not overloading or improperly loading your appliance, and that you are using the correct amount of detergent. If you are, or the problem persists, schedule service with a repair professional.

Clogged Detergent Dispenser

You need water and a cleaning solution to get sparkling glassware, so one cause of your dishwasher not cleaning is that there is an issue with the detergent dispenser. A blockage could be causing it to not release enough detergent during the wash cycle, or not release it at the proper time. This can result in poorly cleaned dishes and glassware that still have residue and spots on them.

If there is a jammed spring in the dispenser, try cleaning it with a small brush and a mixture of hot water and vinegar to dissolve buildup and food debris.

The gasket around the detergent dispenser in your dishwasher could also be cracked, causing leaks. If it’s damaged, or the spring or dispenser door is broken, you will need to replace these parts to get your dishwasher to properly function again.

Water Temperature

While our Madison appliance expert can appreciate you trying to be more energy efficient, while cold water might work in your washing machine, it won’t work well when it comes to cleaning dishes. The ideal temperature of your dishwasher should be around 120 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that bacteria and food particles are effectively removed during the wash cycle. This is the temperature setting that is recommended by most dishwasher manufacturers for optimal cleaning performance. Be sure to check your user manual to ensure that you are setting the hot water temperature correctly.

If your dishwasher model doesn’t have a heat-boosting mechanism in, make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees. Our experts stress being cautious though, as at that temperature, water is scalding and can cause serious harm if you’re not careful.

Hard Water

Madison has hard water, full of minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can wreak havoc with your appliances. Without the invention of a water softener, hard water can cause mineral buildup and scale in any water-based appliances, leading to decreased efficiency, a shorter lifespan, and leaving residue and white spots on dishes and glassware, affecting their cleanliness and appearance.

If the water hardness in your home is the reason your dishwasher is not cleaning dishes properly, you can try using a vinegar mixture to clean your unit and remove the mineral deposits that are causing the issue. Our appliance experts can also recommend using a dishwasher cleaner specifically designed to tackle hard water build-up, ensuring that your kitchen appliance runs efficiently, and your dishes come out sparkling clean. However, to permanently deal with hard water deposits on your dishes, you should look into installing a water softener system in your home.

Spray Arm Issues

Your dishwashing machine's spray arm is responsible for distributing water and detergent throughout the appliance during the wash or rinses cycle. It spins and releases water to ensure that dishes are thoroughly cleaned from all angles during the cleaning process. If something is impeding its movements, or there is a clog preventing water spray distribution, your dishwasher is not cleaning anything properly.

First, ensure that when you load your dishwasher, there isn’t anything preventing the movement of the spray arm. This could be a pan handle sticking out too much, or a cutting board in the way, so properly loading your dishwasher racks will ensure nothing prevents it from doing its job. Try spinning it yourself to ensure they can move properly before starting a cycle.

Then, examine the component for blockages. You can use a toothpick to remove clogs in holes and scrub it with a soft brush, soap, and warm water. Depending on the dishwasher model, you may need a screwdriver to detach it, so consult the user manual for how to remove it for cleaning.

However, if you notice any signs of damage to your dishwasher’s spray arm, such as warping or cracking, it may be time to replace it.

Dirty Filter

Older models tend to have self-cleaning filters, but newer units come equipped with a removable filter that will need to be cleaned on occasion. If the dishwasher filter isn’t cleaned regularly, it can become clogged with bits of food particles and debris, reducing its effectiveness and potentially causing damage to the appliance.

Your user’s manual will be able to tell you the exact location and how to clean it, but you will often find it below the racks. To clean it, simply follow the instructions on how to remove it, and run it under a stream of hot water, making sure to rinse thoroughly. If there’s anything stuck on it, soak it in hot, soapy water for a few minutes before scrubbing it gently with a brush. Once you've cleaned it, place the filter back in place and reattach everything.

Remember, you will need to regularly maintain and clean your appliance, otherwise you’ll have issues with your dishwasher not cleaning dishes.

Faulty Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve lets water into your dishwasher, and if it’s blocked, clogged, or not functioning properly, your dishwasher may not fill with water as it should, meaning the dishwasher is not cleaning properly, and in some cases, may not start at all. If the inlet valve isn’t working, you’ll hear a buzzing, hissing, or other unusual noises when the dishwasher is supposed to be filling with water. This could indicate that the valve is not opening correctly to allow water in, and that there is an inefficient water supply.

As this is a more complicated issue than the previously mentioned ones, it’s best to contact a Madison appliance repair specialist to handle the needed repairs.

Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? Professional Advice Is a Call Away!

Should you ever encounter an issue with any kitchen appliance that you can’t troubleshoot yourself, remember the team of experts at Mr. Appliance of Madison WI are just a call away for care advice. Whether you’re in Madison, Middleton, Sun Prairie, or Verona, we can help you get to the bottom of your appliance woes, including your dishwasher not cleaning dishes.

Contact your Madison appliance specialist today, and see how we can help you solve your appliance problems.