How to Fix a Dishwasher That Doesn’t Clean Dishes Well

Do your dished come out stained and spotted? If so, you are not alone. This is among the biggest complaints among dishwasher owners. Here’s how to save money by fixing the issue yourself.

1. Review these basics first:

l Are you using the right dishwasher detergent?

l Do you overload the dishwasher?

l Does the silverware fall on the lower basket? The spray arm cannot spin if obstructed.

l Do you scrape food bits off dishes before placing them on the racks?

l Is the water temperature at its optimum? Make sure your household water heater is not above 120 degrees F.

2. Clean the spray arm

Bend the spray arm to ensure it spins freely. Also, ensure that there isn’t any debris in the spray arm. Start by taking out the wire baskets by removing either the pin or cap at the end of the sliding racks. The cap will twist off with a clockwise turn. The pump usually sucks out most of the dirt, but if you hear a loud crushing sound when the dishwasher is running, there might be an obstruction such as broken glass in the pump intake. Just unscrew and remove the pump cover.

3. Clean the float switch

The float switch is rarely the issue, but it takes about five minutes to fix. So, you can simply open and clean it anyway. Debris can make the float to get stuck in a raised position, thus preventing the tub from filling.

4. Clean the valve

A common problem associated with clogged intake valves is low water level during the cycles. So, before you get through the complex cleaning steps, check the water level. Close the door, turn on the machine and allow it to run until it fills during the second cycle. If the water doesn’t rise to the heating element, the water level is very low. Thus, close the machine and proceed to clear the intake valve screen.