What's Wrong with My Dishwasher?!

Try running it empty, but first, toss a cup of white vinegar in there. You might need to cycle it twice to get the stink out. If that doesn't work, since I don't know what kind you have, there are some models that have actual filters which are a HUGE pain in the butt to change and you'll have to call someone to do it (my husband has to do this for college kids who live in the buildings he works for, and often, because they don't pre rinse anything!)

But try the vinegar, that almost always works.

This happens to mine too if I dont clean it every month.

You can get a Dishwasher Cleaner from any store. I get mine at Walmart cause they are cheaper, only like $3 and it cleans your dishwasher out completely.

You put it in your empty dishwasher and let it run on the hottest cycle and let it do its thing. Afterwards the dishwasher smells so clean and your dishes will see a great improvement.

I do it once a month!

Also, before you start the dishwasher when you clean your dishes run your kitchen sink water on hot for a minute and then start your dishwasher it really helps too.

Our appliance guy told us to run vinegar (or get a cleaner) through a few times, then NEVER use liquid or gel ever again--powder ONLY in a dishwasher, liquid ONLY in a washing machine (go figure).

And you might very well be using too much. Especially if you were using liquid dishwasher soap.

Now I use the little powder packets (no guessing, or adding a smidge more) and no problems.

my friend had this happening and she called a repairman who told her that dishwasher soap no longer can have a certain ingredient in it (phosphates, I think?) - anyway - he recommended buying this stuff called "Lemi-shine" - you can get either liquid or powder and get it by the dishwasher soap. Fill one of the soap dishes with your regular dishwasher soap and one with the Lemi-shine. I now use it religiously! No more white film!

I just had a dishwasher repairman come to my house. I had been cleaning the entire inside of my dishwasher out, and the seals, etc. Still dishes were bad looking. i had not been cleaning out the spinner blades on the inside, and when he did that, and I switched to Finish Detergent, my troubles were gone. I had trouble like you did, and used every detergent I could find, until I finally called the repairman. My dishes look nice now.

Lemi-shine!! We had the same problem and that fixed it. It is due to the lack of phosphates.

Run one of those dishwasher cleaners through it. You can find them in the dishwasher soap aisle. They usually are about $4, and are lemony or something. But they cut the hard water deposits and residue from your machine. You also may want to consult your owner's manual for how to clean your machine. There is probably a food trap that you can empty somewhere...

Yep, it is likely that your dishwashing detergent no longer has phosphate in it. Use Quantum Finish powertabs and the problem will go away. It works really well and the dishes come out perfectly.

I second the Lemi-shine! I had the same problem and this fixed it. I now use it as a booster with every load, and my glasses are clear. It's about $3-4 at Target with the other dish washing detergent. A small green bottle, usually near the rinse aids. It's amazing!

You can purchase a dishwasher cleaner where you purchase dishwasher detergent. Our 10 year old dishwasher started having that problem last year. I purchased the cleaner, set the bottle upside down in the otherwise empty dishwasher and ran it for 2 cycles. It has work just fine ever since. It has been more than 6 months and I am thinking of doing it again for maintenance. It removed all the stains and build-ups. And, it does not expose the dishes we eat and cook with to extra chemicals.

Another possibility....

Do you have a water softener? (Or naturally soft water?) If so, you are supposed to use a VERY small amount of d/w detergent in the dispenser cups.... otherwise, the detergent "etches" the glasses.... what looks like a white film is actually very fine scratches......