My apartment dishwasher isn't cleaning very well. Any advice?

[ryner1988]

Hi all,

Subject basically says it all...the dishwasher that came with my apartment isn't cleaning the greatest and I've noticed this issue for a while but it's gotten really bad lately. I'm not really sure what to do, and apartment maintenance here sucks, as I've written about before.

A couple days ago I washed a pretty nondescript load of plates, bowls, silverware and cups. There were only a couple difficult items in there. One of them was a baking sheet, placed along the side and facing towards the middle, that had a bit of cheese gunge from some stuffed mushroom caps I cooked on it. The cheese did not come off at all and I used the pots and pans cycle for that load. There was also a muffin tin, used to make some from a box banana muffins, only had a bit of dregs from the muffin batter on it and again, this was not removed. These are just a couple examples of what has been happening often lately.

I did notice that it seems like the brushes aren't moving very much during the actual wash portion of the cycle, they seem fine on rinse cycles. Could it be that the brushes are stuck but only on one part of the wash program? that doesn't seem very logical to me but I guess anything could happen.

I can get you guys a model number if anyone can let me know where it might be located on the machine. It's one of those 18-inchers with a row of buttons at the top of the machine, has programs like normal wash at the very left, followed by pots and pans, china/crystal, etc. It was in the apartment when we moved here in 2015 and at that point apartment complex was about a year old, so I'm guessing machine is about 9 years old currently.

Just trying to figure out if there's anything I can troubleshoot on my own, short of calling apartment maintenace. I know I likely will have to do that eventually but maybe there's a more deep-clean I can do in the meantime or something? I have washed the filter and it didn't seem very dirty, as well as running some baking soda and vinegar through an empty machine.

Thanks for any help guys.

Ryne

 

[luxflairguy]

Have you tried running a dishwasher cleaning tablet through? It might help? Also dishwashers don't have brushes! It all water power. It could also be that your detergent is old. How hot is the water going into the machine? The hotter the better!
I have an 18 inch Frigidaire that needs a bit of help now and then. Running a cleaner tablet through always helps. Greg

 

[launderess]

Model number and brand would help....

Eighteen inch dishwashers in past only came from one or two sources. One was "Frigidaire" (also sold as Sears/Kenmore) which was a DM design. Miele, and maybe a few other European appliance brand offered them as well. Then came China invasion first with Danby and now several others. IIRC however despite their brand names many of these Asian 18", table/counter top and even portable dishwashers pretty much all come from same few or single manufacturer.

Market for 18" dishwashers in past wasn't very huge, thus only a few manufactures bothered.

Had a Sears/Kenmore 18" dishwasher (portable) for several years until the thing broke. While yes it beat washing things by hand, but only just.

Upper rack often saw inside of glassware or cups with yibbles. Even outside of things on upper rack had bits of food or whatever remaining after cycle was done. This no matter how well one scrapped dishes before loading. Was *not* going to pre -rinse dishes before loading, though that likely would have vastly improved results.

 

[washdaddy]

you mentioned that you've cleaned the filter which is a good start but have you also taken the wash arm out of the unit and checked to make sure there isn't anything possibly blocking the arm?

 

[combo52]

Definitely need a model number

There are certain things that go wrong with certain appliances. It’s very helpful to have a model number.

From your description it’s most likely one of the newer Chinese built 18 inch machines. Most common problems of these are clogged filters and clogged washarms if the filters are precisely installed, debris gets into the washrooms pretty quickly and clogs them up on these.

It also greatly helps to use a good detergent and the high temperature washing option.

Don’t bother running vinegar and baking soda, etc. through it it’s just a waste of time water, baking soda and vinegar. Use a commercial dishwasher cleaner if you’d like they can help a lot.

Does the dishwasher have a mineral buildup inside or is it shiny and look like new? It should always stay shiny like new if it’s working properly again and being used properly.

John.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

my apartment dishwasher

My apartment Kenmore 630 dishwasher does great cleaning the dirtiest of dishes. I'm not sure why yours isn't doing it.
What detergent and rinse aid are you using? It is a Bosch built unit.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

dishwasher cleaner

I use Cascade dishwasher cleaner and it does great.

 

[ryner1988]

Thanks all for the responses! Where can I find the model number?

Is there a way to detach the wash arm and check for debris in there?

I'll also try a dishwasher cleaner and see what happens.

 

[ryner1988]

As far as detergent, I use the Cascade Complete Action Packs pods.

 

[luxflairguy]

IF we KNEW who manufactured it we'd be able to tell you where the info is!

 

[DADoES]

 
Dishwasher model/serial tags are often on edge of the tub frame, visible when the door is open.

Ryne, your reference to reduced sound of water spray until the later rinse period may be an indication that the pods are causing excess sudsing, which can reduce spray pressure and arm rotation.

 

[ea56]

Glenn is on to something about too many suds. Since this DW is only 18” a regular size detergent pod is probably too large for this smaller DW. Try using either powdered or gel DW detergent in the amounts recommended in the owners manual and you shouldn’t have an over sudsing problem anymore.

Eddie

 

[qsd-dan]

X3 about suds.

 

Pull the door open on the main wash cycle right before it drains and look for suds.

 

You may need to switch to a gel or powder detergent and measure it out.

 

[ryner1988]

I am running a load right now and will report back whether it's an over-sudsing issue or not. Right now it's on the prewash stage of the cycle and everything sounds fine.

I've always used pods so not familiar with other dishwasher soap types. What would you guys recommend between gel and powder?

 

[pierreandreply4]

do not know if you have the brand in the us

do not know if you have that brand in the us but i would reccomend sunlight advance dishwasher detergent here a link from amazon.ca if you went to check the brand https://www.amazon.ca/SUNLIGHT-Advanced-Dishwasher-Detergent-count/dp/B087NMT67K

 

[combo52]

Hi Ryne

What is the water hardness where you live unless you have soft water three grains of hardness or less do not use powdered or liquid detergent in this or any dishwasher unless you’re going to add water softening chemicals along with the detergent.

Pods are the best thing to use and all dishwashers unless you have perfectly soft water at this time.

John

 

[ryner1988]

John,

The water here in Indianapolis is very hard, 274 PPM. I live in an apartment, so there is no whole-house water softener here. I'm guessing that can be contributing to my dishwasher issues, but I've never been sure what to do about hard water challenges. It's just something Indy residents kind of accept.

Ryne

 

[ea56]

At the risk of being wildly unpopular here I’ll make a suggestion that worked well for me. Five years ago when my DW crapped out I began washing the dishes by hand while I waited a month for the DW to be repaired under warranty. By the time the repairs were completed I’d learned to like washing the dishes by hand and I haven’t used the DW since April of 2018 and probably never will again.

The dishes are always spotlessly cleaned to my satisfaction and they are always clean and in the cabinet whenever I need them, instead of in the DW waiting to be cleaned. I never have to stop and wash a pan, bowl or utensil that I need when I’m cooking. Problem solved.

I’ll duck and cover my head now. Just my two cents worth.

Eddie

 

[gelaundry4ever]

rinse aid

I am currently using Cascade power dry rinse aid and it does wonders.