Have you noticed that your dishes and glassware have been coming out more spotted and cloudy than before? As of July 1, 2010, all dishwasher detergent manufacturers voluntarily eliminated phosphates from their products in response to the requests of 16 states. Phosphates helped the cleaning process, but were banned due to their negative effect on the environment.
Mineral deposits are what you see left behind as the water evaporates. This is commonly called lime scale or hard water scale. This inconvenience is now more pronounced on dishes because of the elimination of phosphates in dishwasher detergents which helped keep the minerals "bound up," or in solution, so that they were not easily deposited on dishes.
When buying dishwashing detergent next time, you’ll also want to purchase a bottle of dishwasher additive or rinse aid to help reduce the spots left behind by the mineral deposits. You can also try turning off the heated drying cycle on your dishwasher and allowing the dishes to air dry to help eliminate the problem.
We want you to know that your dishwasher is not causing the problem!! By sharing a few suggestions with you, we hope to help your dishwasher perform at its best, as well as explaining ways to help keep your items from getting damaged.
Always rinse food off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This will help receive the best cleaning results. You’ll also want to sure to run the water in the kitchen sink until it becomes hot before starting your dishwasher. By doing this you will begin the wash cycle with hot water, if you don’t, you will be washing your dishes in cold water; this may not get the dishes as clean as you wish. Don’t forget to add your rinse aid!
The following loading list will get you the best cleaning results and avoid damage.
- Always rinse excessive food off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This will help receive the best cleaning results. You’ll also want to run the water in the kitchen sink until it becomes hot before starting your dishwasher. By doing this you will begin the wash cycle with hot water, if you don’t, you will be washing your dishes in cold water; this may not get the dishes as clean as you wish. Don’t forget to add your rinse aid!
- Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher, so that they don't block water and detergent from reaching other dishes.
- Place the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine to provide more exposure to the spray. Don't let dishes or utensils nest, or rest side by side, which can prevent water from reaching all surfaces.
- Use the top rack for plastic and delicate items that are dishwasher safe.
- Rest glassware on prongs to prevent breakage. And to prevent chipping, make sure that china, crystal, and stemware don't touch other items. You should never place brass, bronze, cast iron, disposable plastics, gold-colored flatware, gold-leaf china, hollow-handle knives, pewter, tin, or anything made of wood or with a wood handle in the dishwasher.
- Load silverware with handles down but place knives with the handles up. If your dishwasher has an open basket, mix spoons, forks, and knives to prevent them from sticking together.
- Place items needing more cleaning attention facedown and toward the sprayer in the bottom rack.
