Dishwasher Leaves White Residue: Is It a Cause for Concern?

Dishwasher leaving white residue is a common problem that many people face and quite frequently at that. If you have ever found cloudy film or marks on the dishes, then you must be wondering why dishwasher leaving white residue.

There are several reasons behind white dishwasher residue. Some common causes behind it are hard water, detergent stains, water temperature, and overloading the dishwasher.

Key Takeaway:

Why Dishwasher Leaving White Residue: Causes and Solutions

You want your dishwasher to be clean and efficient. A dishwasher leaving white residue is a headache for anyone. Understanding the reasons behind it will help solve it in a jiffy.

Here are the most common reasons behind white dishwasher residue and how to solve each problem:

Hard Water and Salt Residue

The most common problem with white dishwasher residue comes from having hard water in the area. This water has a high concentration of dissolved minerals like Magnesium and Zinc.

When the water evaporates inside the heat of the dishwasher, these minerals stay behind. This is what causes the chalky film or white dishwasher residue.

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You can diagnose if the white residue is from hard water. If you can easily wipe it off with your fingers or a cloth, then it is just salt buildup. 

But if you need to scratch the residue to get it off then it is lime scale build up from hard water.

Solution:

If the dishwasher leaves a white residue because of salt you may have been adding a bit too much in the dishwasher. Just lower it down till the dishwasher comes out sparkling clean.

But if the problem is from lime scale build up then you will have to go an extra mile to get it out of the system. Check if the dishwasher salt ran out first. Get Finish dishwasher salt and replenish it.

Before each wash cycle, take half a cup of vinegar and pour it into the load. The acidity in the vinegar can easily dissolve lime scale buildup and prevent it from taking hold on your dishware.

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Detergent Stains

Another reason behind the dishwasher leaving white residue is detergent stains. Most of the time the white residue comes from the detergent used.

If the detergent does not conform to the manufacturer’s instructions or if you use a detergent that is not rated for dishwasher use it can leave stains on the dishware.

This happens because the use of phosphate in detergents was banned about a decade ago. Phosphate is the agent that cleans off the residue and without it, the stains become much more frequent.

Solution:

Using too much dishwater detergent can also cause white residue. More detergent does not come out to be a cleaner result. Hold off on the use of detergent and reduce the amount you use until there are no cloudy marks.

Try different detergents and see which fits the bill. Tablets are usually better options than powder and do not leave any residue. They are a bit more expensive as well.

The Finish Quantum dishwasher tablets are the number one best tablets in the market right now.

Water Temperature

Most dishwashers have an in-built thermostat and heating equipment to raise the temperature of the water. It plays a significant role in how the cleaning is done.

If the water is not hot enough it will not be able to dissolve the detergent effectively enough. 

Solution:

To not let residue build up make sure the water temperature is at least higher than 120F. Hot water is ideal for good cleaning performance.

Improper and Overloading

Loading the dishwasher properly is just as important as having good detergents or rinse aid. If you constantly keep overloading the dishwasher it will reduce the lifespan to a great extent.

Not just overloading but improper loading also takes a toll on the dishwasher’s performance. This can lead to the dishwasher leaving white residue on dishes and the washer itself.

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Solution:

There are usually three to four racks inside the dishwasher. Each type of dishware needs to go to its designated rack.

• Top Rack: Mugs, glasses. bowls and silverware need to go on the uppermost rack so they do not break. The pressure is considerably low on this rack.
• Bottom Rack: Plates, platters, and large cooking utensils go on the bottom rack where the pressure is the highest. This type of dishware is usually greasier than glasses and needs to be properly cleaned on the lower rack.
• Utensil Basket: Load forks and spoons with handles facing down in the basket and avoid putting in knives.

How to Get Rid of White Dishwasher Residue: 2 Simple Steps

White dishwasher residue can be a pesky problem. Even after a thorough cleaning and following all the steps, you never know when it might pop up again.

There are some ways you can clean the dishwasher effectively so it does not resurface again. 

Here are the steps to getting rid of the dishwasher leaving white residue:

White Vinegar

Vinegar is an all-in-one solution for any dishwasher-related issue. Be it odor or white residue, you can clean the crap out of the dishwasher with vinegar and add refreshment to the dishware as a bonus.

• Pour two cups of white vinegar into a bowl and place it in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
• Close the door and run a normal cycle. Turn off the heating or it will create a nasty odor.
• As the cycle does its job the vinegar will spread to every corner of the dishwasher.
• Keep the door open once the cycle is done so the vinegar moisture can escape. Leave it open overnight and then move on to the next step.

Water Softening Salt and Citric Acid

You can purchase specific dishwasher cleaners that can get rid of calcium carbonate or lime scale along with the vinegar solution. You can either use Finish salt, or any other best water softener salt for starters.

If you do not have access to these salts you can use citric acid which you can buy from your local grocery store. It is also a cheap and effective option.

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Dirty Dishwasher and Dishwasher Odor: Effective Ways to Keep the Dishwasher Spotless

Apart from hard water or detergent residue on the dishware you may even see residue on the dishwasher itself.

Follow these tips so you do not have to go through the hassle of repairs or maintenance now and then:

• The detergent can bubble up during the cycle and overflow onto the dishwasher door. Get a Frigidaire dishwasher cleaner, apply it on the door, and wipe the residue off.
• Regularly clean the filters, including the water and drainage filters. Replace the cartridge holding the leftovers every six months so it does not start leaking.
• Do not rinse the dishware too much before the dishwasher. Over-rinsing can cause etching on glassware. Make sure to never put knives in the dishwasher or it may become a safety hazard.
• Scrape the big chunks off with your hand and soak the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher.

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