Dishwasher not cleaning well.

Pooky1 · ‎12-23-2015

When I put cereal bowls in the top rack of the dishwasher they weren't coming out clean. I checked too spray arms to see if holes had stuff in them as they have other times and spray arms were fine. This happened several times.I went on utube and I looked up top rack not getting clean and I watched 2 different videos or it and both said the same thing.the problem was was in the bottom. I took the bottom wash arm out and a bunch of other stuff and I cleaned everything out.I was surprised of how nasty it was. There was a mesh fitted screen under there to that had slot of scrap on it. I put it all back together and I ran it empty with a glisten dishwasher cleaner. I now feel like I have a new dishwasher. And I realized things that wasn't coming out as clean as they used to Even on the bottom rack was now coming out really clean. It was well worth my effort. I was even thinking I may need a new dishwasher. I figured I would post it so if anyone else has this issue it may help someone.

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

I can't vouch for the accumulation in the spray arms as something that happens often. But not cleaning the (screen) filter at regular intervals will lessen performance. You won't need an overhaul such as the one you so admirably performed on your own if you regularly clean that filter.

Glad you got your appliance working well again. Your efforts really paid off.

CoffeeNut · ‎03-15-2010

Glad you were able to make it like new again. Mine has a mesh filter that you can pop out in the the bottom and clean. Surprising even with prerinsing how much gunk gets trapped by the filter.

Pooky1 · ‎12-23-2015

Gizmogal.the filter screen wasn't a normal filter that some dishwashers have just inside that you clean regular. Even the book that came with dw didn't say anything about it.probably because its so far under everything. Our dw is just over 12 years old.

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

When I got my very 1st dishwasher, the store owner told me to run it empty once a month with citric acid or Fruit Fresh. I've always had great results and it has extended the life of my dishwashers.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

I still pre-rinse my dishes even though they say not too. I have found out that if I don't the larger stuff ends up clogging the "vent". Not sure if that's the correct term, but it sticks up out of the top of the sink. The little metal cap that looks like part of the sink just pulls off and then, there's a top that screws off. Underneath that screw-off top I have had food particles stuck in there and it causes the dishwasher to not completely drain.

Also, if dishes aren't getting clean, before you go out and buy a new dishwasher, try a new detergent. I found out our powder from Costco had gotten wet at some point before we bought it, and it was clumping up and didn't clean well. I have a dishwasher that uses the pods now.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@Icegoddess My dishwasher instructions also say not to rinse the dishes but said to scrape the food scraps off which I do.

jellyBEAN · ‎04-03-2010

Did you get all the info from the videos you watched or did you refer to your DW manual as well, as far as cleaning various parts? I've used some cleaning tabs and I've used a cup of vinegar to clean, but I've never cleaned any filters.

I'm usually pretty good at taking things apart, its putting them back together thats the problem for me. I have a GE dishwasher thats been in use for about 5 years. I use it maybe once a week and my dishes are usually pretty clean when I put them in. The cat food dishes would be about the worst, but I do give them a wipe before putting them in there.

Hmmm, some day I'll have to look for filters. Another thing to add to my to-do list for the upcoming week. Fun, fun, fun.

Flowers are nature's way of laughing

Pooky1 · ‎12-23-2015

Jellybean. It wasn't a filter that the user has to clean.even when we have had we fixed repair man never said were supposed to clean it. It was mesh thing that was dirty. I had to unscrew like 3 or 4 different things to get down down to where I had to get. It was just on Utube that I saw it. Not my owners manual. If never mentioned anything about taking all that stuff apart. Repair men just had told me that I needed to run a dishwasher cleaner thru dw .