Dishwashers are convenient appliances that minimize the amount of work you need to do at home. However, if your dishwasher leaves a white film on your plates, it can do the opposite of washing dishes. Here's how to clean the appliance that does the cleaning!
Why Does My Dishwasher Leave Residue on Dishes?
If your dishes are coming out of the dishwasher covered in white residue, then several causes may be behind it:
- Hard Water: Hard water contains dissolved minerals in it, which are left behind after the water evaporates. These mineral deposits may be the culprit of the residue.
- Detergent: Low-quality liquid detergent, powdered detergent, or dishwasher pods may leave white streaks on your dishes after washing them. Using too much detergent can also leave white residue on your dishes.
- Water Temperature: Your dishwasher uses very hot water to thoroughly clean your dishes without leaving behind any water marks or stains. Cooler water wouldn’t evaporate as quickly and will leave visible marks and streaks behind.
How to Get Rid of White Residue on Dishes
Citric Acid
- Pour some citric acid into the detergent cup or compartment of your dishwasher.
- Place the affected dishes in the dishwasher, making sure to exclude any silverware or other metallic items.
- Let your dishwasher go through a complete cycle with just the citric acid. Your dishes should come out film-free by the end of it.
White Vinegar and Dish Soap
- Put an appropriate amount of detergent into the cup or compartment of your dishwasher before adding a few drops of dish soap into it.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar to your dishwasher.
- Let your dishwasher complete an entire cycle. Your dishes should come out of the dishwasher sparkling clean.
What Does White Vinegar Do?
White vinegar is naturally acidic, making it effective in breaking down any grease, food residue, or hard water stains on your dishes, as well as inside your dishwasher. It also has the added benefit of having disinfectant properties, which means that it kills bacteria and mildew.
Lemon Juice
- Put a cup of lemon juice into your dishwasher’s top rack or basket.
- Let your dishwasher run a complete cycle
- Repeat if necessary
Additional Cleaning Tips
The best way to prevent your dishwasher from leaving a white film on your dishes is to keep the dishwasher clean. Here are a couple of tips to help you:
- If your dishwasher leaves white residue on your plates, chances are your dishwasher detergent is of low quality, or you may be using too much dishwashing detergent.
- Use a rinse aid on your final rinse cycle. Rinse aids help prevent streaks on your dishes after cleaning, and will help remove those white film residues on your dinnerware.
- Consider using a water softener, or adjusting the water hardness level settings on your dishwasher to prevent mineral deposits.
Cleaning Your Kitchen The Professional Way
Cleaning the kitchen can be a hassle, especially when you've already got a full schedule ahead of you! Don't worry about keeping your home clean, and let our cleaning professionals at Luce tackle the chores for you! We guarantee our cleaners will leave your home spotless - and you can take time doing the things you love.
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