Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 3 Possible Reasons and Solutions

Having a dirty dishwasher can be an incredibly frustrating experience. Not only is it a chore to clean your dishes by hand, but it can also be difficult to figure out exactly why the dishwasher is not doing its job properly. There are three main reasons why your dishwasher may not be cleaning dishes properly — and luckily, each of them has an easy solution. 

In this post, we’ll discuss why your dishwasher might not clean dishes properly, and how to solve the issue. We’ll also explain how to ensure that your dishwasher is running efficiently and effectively in the future, so you can keep your dishes, and your sanity, in check.

Maintaining Your Dishwasher

Depending on what manufacturer and model your dishwasher is, chances are that it is designed to get your dishes spotless after a cycle. But should it fail to do so, there are some simple steps you can take to figure out what’s wrong and maintain your dishwasher so future cycles come out as desired. 

1. Detergent Issues 

One of the most common causes of dishes not being thoroughly cleaned is an issue with detergent. The usage of too much or too little detergent can cause poor cleaning performance. To ensure you’re using the correct amount, check your dishwasher’s manual for the recommended amount of detergent for each cycle. Additionally, it is important to make sure that you purchase dishwasher soap designed specifically for dishwashers, as regular dish soap will not work as effectively and may cause other problems as well. 

2. Clogged Filters  

Dishwashers have filters that need to be regularly cleaned to ensure effective performance. If these filters become clogged due to food particles or other debris, the water flow may become obstructed and fail to come through the jets correctly, preventing the machine from properly cleaning dishes. To prevent this, use a dish sponge or brush each month or two to remove debris from the filter screens at the bottom of your machine. 

3. Poor Loading  

How you load your machine can also cause poor cleaning performance if done incorrectly. Make sure all large items are placed away from spray arms in order to ensure that they are reaching optimal cleansing temperatures and are properly rinsed with water during the cycle. Additionally,  for even coverage by the jets and water distribution system during wash cycles, taller items should be placed in one corner rather than spaced around the dishwasher.

Summary of Possible Causes and Solutions 

To sum up, improper detergent usage, clogged filters, and poor loading arrangement could be potential causes for the lack of cleanliness of your dishwasher and the dishes inside it. To resolve these issues, follow the directions in your dishwasher’s manual for recommended detergent usage, clean filters with a dish sponge regularly, and arrange dishes in an optimal manner within the machine for even coverage and cleaning results. Also, pre-cleaning dishes using a sponge can be helpful to get any extra food or grease off your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you to better understand why your dishwasher may not be giving you the results you need, and how to solve the problem. From verifying that you’re using the correct amount of detergent to checking your dishwasher’s filters, these things should ensure clean and sparkling dishes every time!