Dishwasher Appliance Repair: Dishes Aren’t Coming Out Clean

Have you been having issues with your dishwasher? Do your dishes come out looking less than sparkling clean? Problems like these are frustrating to say the least, especially when all you want to do is cook dinner, but you are faced with a dishwasher full of dirty dishes to work with.

While you could very well need a repair made to your dishwasher, it is also possible that some simple troubleshooting could solve your problem. Before you call out the repairman, try these tricks below. Your fix might be a simple one that you can take care of on your own, potentially saving you time and money.

Is your dishwasher overloaded?

An overloaded dishwasher simply cannot effectively clean your dishes. Make sure the items in your top and bottom racks aren’t overlapping, and check that there is plenty of space between pieces of silverware.

If you aren’t sure how to load your particular model of dishwasher, check the instructions that came with the appliance. If you no longer have the instructions, you can look them up online.

Is silverware getting in the way?

The spray arm (located in the bottom of your dishwasher) raises up and spins during a wash cycle. As it spins, it sprays jets of hot water onto your dishes. If silverware is dropping through the bottom of the basket and blocking the path of the spray arm it will prevent the arm from spinning, and therefore prevent your dishwasher from working properly.

Are you using the correct detergent?

Using the correct kind of detergent in the proper amount is an important step when running a dishwasher. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions to learn what kind of detergent should be used, and check the container of whichever soap you buy to learn how much to include in each cycle.

Do you always scrape and rinse your dishes before loading them?

Scraping and rinsing are important parts of your washing routine. If you skip these steps, your dishes are likely to come out covered in food bits. Not only that, but the food will be stuck on tight and hard to remove, especially if your dishwasher is set to dry the dishes after it has cleaned them.

Additionally, skipping the scraping step could easily give you issues with clogs down the line, making this step an even more crucial one.

Do you have hard water?

Hard water can leave dishes looking grungy with a strange film covering them. If you have hard water, a water softener is highly recommended in order to keep your dishes from looking and feeling less than clean.

Does something need cleaning?

Occasionally the spray arm, float switch, or valve screen may accumulate debris which can cause the appliance to stop working as it should. Cleaning each of these parts only takes a few minutes, and it’s such a simple task that it should definitely be done before moving on to more drastic measures.

Of course, sometimes none of these tips will solve the problem. In that case, a dishwasher appliance repair may be in order. While these cases are unfortunate, and you may be tempted to put the repair off, it is important that you have the appliance looked over and repaired quickly in order to keep your kitchen running smoothly and efficiently.

If you find yourself in need of such a repair, and would like a trustworthy, reliable, professional, and efficient company to get the work done quickly and correctly, please contact us at Fred’s Appliance Repair.

We are confident we can provide you with the exceptional service you need and leave you feeling 100% satisfied with our work.