Kenmore Dishwasher My dishes don't clean well. there is always residue on my dishes. the glasses are spotty. I use jet dry and cascade powder. my dishes and glasses don't come out clean. any suggestions?

Check the temperature of the water. Should be 120 deg. Also are you using powder or liquid? Liquid dissolved a lot quicker that powder. So liquid is actually better to use. Try running the hot water at the sink until it gets hot before running the dishwasher. Also you may want to try mixing half cascade liquid and half lemon shine.

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

Asker

Hi,

The scum, film and white residue problems have started since the reduction of phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

Here is a tip that will help you to solve the problem of films, residue, and scum in your dishwasher.

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101
/............

Hi,

The scum, film and white residue problems have started since the reduction of phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

Here is a tip that will help you to solve the problem of films, residue, and scum in your dishwasher.

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

Either it is not filling up enough or the wash pump is not working.

The most important thing to getting the best drying from this energy efficient, water conserving dishwasher is keeping the rinse aid dispenser filled. In my part of the US, I only see a rinse aid called Jet Dry.

The Cascade is the detergent powder and will not help the dishes to get dry.

Note: Even with the rinse aid full, some plastics will still be wet.

Put two cups of vinegar into your machine and run the hottest and longest cycle you have this will clean the machine and solve the problem.

The problem is hard water. Go to www.dishwasherfilter.com and get their new product. It filters the water and takes out the hard minerals that cause spots and clog dishwashers. It is very affordable and has a money back guarantee.

Quit using the new Cascade. The formula change is what is causing the problem. No research from Cascade before releasing the product

Hi Dirty Dish gang.
After having 2 appliance repairmen here, I now have the latest scoop on our dishwasher problems, $200 later!
Los Angeles IS currently having hard water issues. Also, all the new cleaning gels etc. are actually a cause of our dishwasher problems.  
So, here is what we need to do:
1. Use Cascade POWDER detergent only.  Make sure is is just "plain" no "scented" or "complete"  or gel, etc. (I have tried a phosphate free powder and gel and this is a cause of our problem as well!) 2. Use Jet Dry in the dispenser (set it to a 2-3 opening) 3. Make sure water is at least 120 degrees 4. Only run dishwasher on "normal" setting.  All others just run it longer, hence causing more water stains. 5. Do not pre-wash dishes! You can knock of chunks with a "non" soapy brush, but don't rinse (the oils actually help to clean the dishes) 6.  Do not wash sponges in dishwasher.
Acid Wash: The repairman just gave my washer an Acid Wash today. It says it is an acid derived from lemon, I got mine from Carters appliance in Torrance, CA for about $19. I am to run a normal cycle with the above mentioned Cascade after this "acid cycle" is finished.
If you are still having problems:
Monthly maintenance: Glass Magic: Buy a box of Glass Magic (near the Cascade)  Use 1 Tbsb in main detergent compartment of dishwasher along with the Cascade, till washer starts working again. White Vinegar: You can run an empty dishwasher with white vinegar once a month.  Fill a bowl with 2 cups vinegar and place on bottom rack.  Then run as a normal cycle...this allows vinegar to disperse slowly.
So far it seems to be working.  Good luck.