Info Hub: Kitchen
Reasons Why Dishes and Glasses are Cloudy
Do your dishes, bowls and glasses look cloudy after being washed in your dishwasher? If this is the case then there might be something wrong with your dishwasher.
Here, we’ll introduce you to the common causes behind your dishes coming out of your dishwasher cloudy, and explore the various methods to solve or avoid this issue.
Why Are My Dishes Cloudy?
There are several reasons as to why dishes are coming out of your dishwasher cloudy. They include:
Etching:
There is a common type of corrosion called etching that can cause glass to disintegrate over time. It can also result in scratches and small pits on items. Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove.
Inadequate Home Water Pressure
To effectively clean a load, dishwashers need strong water pressure.
Hard Water:
Hard water is known to stain and leave mineral deposits on dishes, bowls, cups and other items.
Certain municipalities have been implementing strict regulations on the use of water softeners in their water supply. Laws passed in 2010 effectively limit the number of phosphates allowed in household dishwasher detergents. While this is a positive change, it may result in a white film forming on the items in your dishwasher as it goes through the wash cycle.
Dishwasher detergent manufacturers have taken steps to limit phosphates, or remove them altogether, as a means to get hard water to better clean dishes, glasses and other items.
Hard water can also:
- Adversely affect how well the dishwasher performs.
- Cause build-up in water lines. This can cause your dishwasher to break down or need to be replaced sooner than expected.
Troubleshooting Help
Review these steps which are proven to solve the more common causes behind this issue.
Etching
- First, confirm that etching is the problem by lightly trying to rub off the cloudiness. If this doesn’t work then etching is most likely the culprit.
- Once etching has occurred, it is impossible to get rid of. You can try to avoid it happening by using liquid rinse aid.
The tips provided below for dish detergent can also be used to avoid etching.
Dish Detergent
- Use at least one tablespoon of detergent for each load.
- You should only use fresh dishwasher detergent.
- Consider using extra detergent if your water supply has hard water and/or heavy soil.
- Always store detergent in a dry, cool room.
- Stick to using only packs or pods. Always refer to and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Hard Water
Liquid rinse aid works to reduce film and spots from forming. It’s a good idea to keep the rinse aid dispenser full at all times.
Home Water Pressure
The water pressure in the average home should be 20-120 psi.
You need to know if your dishwasher has the necessary water pressure. To figure this out, follow these steps:
- Turn on the faucet closest to the dishwasher and let it run.
- Under the faucet, place any 1-quart (0.946 litres) container.
- Count to determine how long it takes for water to fill the container. Anything longer than nine seconds means you probably have low water pressure.
One way to improve water pressure is to install a booster pump. It’s best to let a plumber determine if a booster pump is necessary and to also perform the installation.
Conclusion
This information should help you figure out why your dishwasher is making your recently washed items cloudy, and help resolve the problem so that everything that comes out of your dishwasher is as clean as can be.
Still need help? Contact our service department to schedule service.
