Something Is Wrong with My Dishwasher

I had this problem recently and I seen thhose commercials for the dishwasher cleaners on TV but always thought they were a marketing gimmick but I tried it anyway. It says if you never used one to do 2 and it took 2 but there was a major improvement. My washer runs like new again and looks like new inside too! They are found with the dishwasher rinse aids.

1st: Check the trap at the bottom of the dishwasher. You may have to remove a plastic cover that means taking out screws. There's a chance a piece of silverware or possibly even a piece of food is stuck in there especially if you don't have a chopper in the bottom. (My dishwasher has a chopper but even w/the chopper, it can only chop up to a specific size). Clear out any debris, utensils, and/or other things that are beneath this cover.

2nd: If there is nothing under the cover, you may want to try a cleaner made specifically for dishwashers.I can't recall if it's Cascade or Jet Dry that puts it out but it's in a bottle that you turn upside down in the utensil basket and then run the dishwasher without dishes. It's to clean the dishwasher and remove any stains and debris. It leaves the dishwasher smelling nice too. I've always found it with the dishwasher detergent and Jet Dry products.

3rd: If #1 or #2 doesn't work, you may have a clog and for that, you will need a plumber because any of the de-clogging liquids can damage a dishwasher. Contact your local plumber if it appears as if you have a stopped up drain.

In the many years I have had a dishwasher, and it's been many many years as I don't care for nor do I wash dishes by hand if I can help it... it generally turns out to be something stuck in the bottom like a piece of silverware or something or even the dishwasher needing cleaning with the cleaning product made especially for the dishwasher. Usually options #1 or #2 work for me. I hope it does for you but if it doesn't, don't be beyond calling a plumber to fix the problem without making it worse.

Best of luck...

Wipe the bottom and filter very good and run it through empty with a cleaning solvent. If you have hard water maybe a tiny bit of clr or lime away

You have food particles in the filter or vent. You can try to clean them out if you have access to them. If you do not then try a dishwasher cleaner. I believe you can find them near the dishwasher detergents. My brother had used a specific gel dishwasher detergent that left a nasty slime all over the inside and finally on the dishes. Changing detergents helped.

There's a small mesh area, usually inside the bottom of the machine. It catches food particles that you need to clean out at least once a week or more often. Just pull out the lower dish rack and look inside. You can swipe it clean with a dishcloth or use your hand. Hope this helps!

My MIL's dishwasher was having the same problem. Dishes were coming out dirtier and greasier than when they went in! My BIL took the drain apart and cleaned it really well. Now it works fine. Your drain may be clogged with grease and/or food.

D.

Clean out the drain in the bottom. Use only powdered detergent, not liquid or gel. You can run a load with vinegar as well. Also, I don't think you need to do them separately because our appliance guy (who gave us the above rules) told us to scrape, not rinse the dishes too clean becasue there needs to be some "gunk" in the load for the detergent to work best. Seems weird, but it has worked for us!

There is usually a 'catcher' at the bottom and it can get clogged. I am not sure how to get into it, I just know my mother-in-laws had paper, food and even a beer bottle cap in it. try finding it and cleaning it out, and also try to run a very hot, soak and scrub load with no dishes. One more thought, they are inked to the garbage disposal, there could be a clog in the pipes, too. Good luck! Sorry I couldn't be SUPER specific. I am sure you can 'google' and find some help, also.

I posted this same question several weeks ago!!! I received some great answers and advise. This is what I did and so far so good. I took all the pieces apart the filters, the parts at the top and bottom that spin and I unclogged all the little holes that the water sprays out of. I soaked them in boiling hot water and then picked the sediment out of the holes with a shish Kabob stick. (it worked). I put the dishwasher back together. Before doing another load of dishes, I purchased a bottle of dishwasher cleaner and ran that through. Then I switched from dish soap cubes to liquid soap. I think, part of the problem was, the soap cubes did not completely disolve and they clogged the water ports. So far my dishes are coming out clean again.

ps: I also cleaned the inside of the dishwasher with a sponge and vinegar and baking soda.

Good Luck

If you can't afford a new dishwasher, some suggestions besides what I've already read from your responses: Run the hot water in the sink first to get the water hot before turning your d/w on. If any of the cups, etc have uneven bottoms, wash them by hand. It makes a lip when turned upside down and catches food particles. Make sure the holes that spray the water are not clogged from minerals. Test your water pressure. Also, test every detergent before you find the one that best fits your d/w. OUrs works best with el cheapo Sam's club brand while our neighbors' has to have Cascade.
Good luck. (we are moving soon, so we didn't feel like replacing the d/w or I would have! )

Sounds like the drain is clogged. Something must be stuck, like a lid, cap, bunch of food, sippy stopper, etc is clogging it. First start by making sure nothing is in your garbage disposal b/c it drains through it. Then check in the bottom of your DW for the drain to see if something is blocking it. Also, make sure your DW is draining, make sure there is not sitting water in the bottom. Also, after all of this, pour some bleach in the bottom and run a load through to clean it out. Good luck!

Yup everyone has said clean the food collection catcher! Also, if your dishwasher dumps into a garbage disposal, make sure you have run the disposal well to rid it of any food that may be in the drain. I also rinse my dishes before I put them in even though manufacturer's claim it is unnecessary. I think it helps. Also make sure dishes are set in the dishwasher properly. Some of mine have little catch spots that hold water and particles. Overloading may not help as well as the washer can't clean everything well. Hope this helps!

This happens with our dishwasher all the time (it is a piece of you know what).
We have to clean the cather on the bottom diligently twice a month and we HAVE TO use a rinse agent like jet dry. If we do both, there are no problems.
Good luck!