Why Your Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Dirty
Why Your Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Dirty
(And How Our Techs Fix It)
You open the dishwasher door after running a cycle, expecting to find perfectly clean dishes, but that’s not what you get. Instead, little bits of food are still stuck to plates and bowls, and the cups or silverware aren’t particularly clean, either. Now, you are left trying to decide if you should run another cycle or just finish washing them by hand.
You don’t have to accept this subpar performance from your dishwasher in Maricopa County. There are a few issues that can lead to poor cleaning, and we’ll dive into those below. We’ll also explain what a qualified technician can do to solve the problems and get your dishwasher working perfectly again.
How Dishwashers Work
To understand why your dishwasher leaves dirty dishes, it helps to back up and take a closer look at how this appliance actually works. When working properly, modern dishwashers use four elements to get dishes incredibly clean:
- Hot water
- Spray pressure
- Detergent
- Filtration
When your dishwasher runs, the water it uses is heated to 120-150°F. That hot water is pumped through the spray arms that spin around the unit and distribute water across the dishes. Dispensed detergent helps to break down grease and food particles. Finally, the filter catches and removes debris from the system to prevent it from being sprayed back onto your dishes.
A failure in any of these key areas can lead to your dishes coming out dirty. For the average homeowner in Phoenix, it’s hard to isolate the issue and determine exactly what is going wrong. All you know is that your dishes aren’t as clean as they should be, and it’s becoming a hassle.
The Most Common Reasons Your Dishwasher Isn’t Cleaning Properly
So, we’ve outlined the four areas that need to work together to get your dishes clean. But where does the breakdown usually occur when a dishwasher stops working properly?
- Clogged or Dirty Spray Arms
- Spray arms have small holes that allow the water to shoot out and spread across your dishes evenly. As your dishwasher ages, small food particles and mineral buildup can gradually clog those holes. If even some of the holes in the spray arms are clogged up, water flow inside the appliance will be restricted, and dishes won’t come out perfectly clean.
- A Worn or Failing Pump
- Your dishwasher’s water pump pushes water out of the spray arms and out onto the dishes at high speed. If the pump wears out, the spray can weaken, and dishwashing performance will decline. This is a problem that requires a qualified Phoenix appliance repairman to properly diagnose.
- Low Water Temperature
- Hot water cleans dishes far more effectively than cold or lukewarm water. Though sometimes tied to water heater issues, this problem often results from a heating element failure inside the dishwasher.
- Dirty or Blocked Filters
- A clogged filter is another source of trouble for many dishwashers. With each passing cycle, the filter will collect more and more food debris. As it gets clogged, water struggles to flow through the dishwasher and recirculates debris back onto the dishes. Fortunately, this is an easy issue to fix, as you can remove the filter while the dishwasher is off and clean it.
- Incorrect Loading
- Sometimes, it’s not a mechanical failure that leads to dishwasher issues. If you don’t load the appliance correctly, you won’t get the results you want. Specifically, prevent overloading the dishwasher, as crowding the space will make it hard for the water to get to every dish. Also, don’t place items directly over the spray arms, as this will block the water and keep the rest of the dishes from getting clean.
- Broken Soap Dispenser
- The soap dispenser needs to open at the right time during the cycle. If that doesn’t happen, the detergent won’t mix properly with the water. If you find that detergent is still in the compartment after the cycle, you’ll know this is an issue. The door can get stuck due to residue buildup, so try cleaning it out before calling (480) 466-9606.
- Low Quality Detergent
- Detergent quality plays a bigger role than many Queen Creek homeowners realize. Lower-grade detergents often contain less effective cleaning agents and struggle with hard water. This often leads to a dishwasher finishing its cycle with residue, spotting, or food still stuck to dishes.
- Failing Inlet Valve
- The inlet valve is responsible for allowing the right amount of water into the dishwasher at the start of the cycle. This valve can fail and restrict water flow. Without enough water, the spray arms won’t have sufficient pressure or flow, and food and residue won’t be removed effectively.
- Wrong Cycle Selected
- Be sure to pick the right cycle for the load you are running. If you have a full load of dirty dishes, choosing the quick cycle or light wash isn’t going to work.
How Professional Technicians Fix the Dirty Dishes Problem
While it’s frustrating to have problems with your dishwasher, a professional appliance company will know how to improve dishwasher cleaning performance. At ACR, we respond to calls for dishwasher repair in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek quickly. Here’s what you can expect from a dishwasher repair call:
- Full System Inspection
- Our technicians will perform a full system inspection to check all major components of the dishwasher. This check includes the spray arms, pumps, filters, heating elements, and supply lines. Food left behind may point to restricted water flow, while cloudy dishes or detergent residue can suggest heating problems or hard water buildup. Checking the full system helps us identify the actual issue instead of replacing the wrong part.
- Cleaning and Component Restoration
- Sometimes, deep cleaning key parts of the system is what is required to get a dishwasher in Maricopa County working again. This is the case if the spray arms are clogged and can’t distribute water as they should. When clogs are removed and mineral buildup is cleared, the power of the spray is restored, and the dishwasher can perform properly again.
- Targeted Part Replacement
- Many dishwasher repairs come down to a single failed part. Once that problematic part has been identified, it can be replaced. This part could be the heating element, a pump, or a valve. With a new part in place of the broken one, the dishwasher can be expected to work well for a long time to come.
- Performance Testing
- When repair work is complete, our technician will run a full cycle to confirm that everything is back to working order. This important last step confirms that there won’t be any surprises after the technician leaves and the job is finished.
What Homeowners in Phoenix Can Do to Prevent Dirty Dishes After a Cycle
If your dishes are coming out dirty, there are a few DIY steps you can take before calling for help. Try the following tactics to see if you notice any improvement in the cleanliness of your dishes after a cycle.
- Fill the rinse aid dispenser. Using rinse aid will help prevent spots on your dishes and can cut down on the lingering unpleasant taste that comes from hard water.
- Run hot water before starting. Open your kitchen tap and let the hot water run for a minute before starting your dishwasher. This will ensure that your cycle starts with fully hot water, rather than having to gradually warm up as it runs.
- Scrape your dishes. Before you load the dishwasher, remove large food particles from your dishes. This will make the job easier for your dishwasher and make clogs in the filter and spray arms less likely.
- Use the right amount of detergent. Be careful to fill the detergent to the indicated level before each load. Too much detergent can leave residue on your dishes, while too little won’t clean effectively.
Fix Your Dishwasher Today
A dishwasher is supposed to save you time. Rather than manually washing all of your plates and bowls, you can load up the dishwasher and head to great local attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden or the Phoenix Art Museum.
If your dishwasher has become a source of frustration instead of a time saver, connect with ACR now for help. We provide Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek with professional and prompt appliance repair. Don’t head out to buy a new dishwasher when a simple fix is enough to ensure clean dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions - Dirty Dishes After a Cycle
How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?
It’s best to clean your dishwasher filter every two to four weeks in Maricopa County. A clogged filter will restrict water flow and force dirty water back onto your dishes. Just take the filter out, clean it in the sink, and replace it before your next load.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that isn’t cleaning properly?
The cost of repairing your dishwasher will depend on exactly what has gone wrong. If a clogged spray arm needs to be cleaned, for example, you may only spend $200 or less. On the other hand, if a circulation pump needs to be replaced, the job might cost $300 to $400.
Why does my dishwasher leave a white film on dishes?
White film can be caused by mineral buildup from hard water, which is common here in the Phoenix area. This issue can also happen when the water in your dishwasher isn’t hot enough to fully dissolve detergent. Adding a rinse aid to the dishwasher can help address this problem.
Is it better to repair or replace a dishwasher that isn’t cleaning well?
Most of the time, repairing your dishwasher will be the right choice. The average dishwasher repair in Phoenix costs less than $300, only a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new unit. The exception to this rule of thumb is when you have a particularly old dishwasher (more than 10 years old) that needs an expensive repair. In that case, replacement might be the way to go.
Why do my dishes have an unpleasant taste?
Residue left behind after a dishwasher cycle is usually to blame for an unpleasant taste on your dishes. This can have a few causes, including a dirty filter, hard water buildup, and using too much detergent. Try running a cleaning cycle to address the problem, and make sure the filter is clear. If these fixes don’t solve the problem, give us a call at (480) 466-9606 for assistance.
Why is it just the dishes on the top rack that aren’t getting clean?
Poor water flow is commonly the reason that your top rack dishes stay dirty after a Queen Creek dishwasher cycle. The upper spray arm might be clogged up, or the dishwasher might not have enough water pressure. Also, if you overload the bottom rack with dishes, the water from the lower spray arm won’t be able to reach any of the upper dishes. Check for blockages in the spray arms and experiment with different loading patterns.
Why is my silverware coming out dirtier than the other dishes?
Overcrowding is the primary problem when silverware is coming out dirty while the rest of the dishes are getting clean. If you pack utensils too tightly, water and detergent can’t circulate effectively during the wash cycle. Try spreading things out and adding fewer pieces of silverware in each load to see if the results improve.