White Powder on my dishes after the dishwasher is run! Help!

[MissTacoBell]

Ok so I run my dishwasher and I get this white gritty powder on my dishes (worse on the top rack) . I was raised doing my dishes by hand so I really dont know much about dishwashers. Someone said to run it with lemonade powder and I did but it didnt do anything.

Does anyone know anything I can do or what this is?

[katzmeow726]

We never run ours with powder, we just use liquid.  We had the power problem too, but our landlady said that the dishwashers we have here work best with the liquid.  It is probably the same for you.   

[CoastieWifePR]

weird, ours does the same thing too.  And we use liquid, not powder to wash the dishes.  I just rinse them a second time.

[myfoursonsks]

I notice this happens when the water is not hot enough.  This usually happens if your water takes awhile to get hot when you turn it on or if you run the hot water for something else before running the dishwasher.  The elements will not heat the water up all the way by themselves. 

If your water takes awhile to get hot, try running the sink for a minute to get the pipes cleared and the hot water going.  Otherwise, make sure to not run your dishwasher after someone has taken a shower or something.

[MissTacoBell]

they made liquid intended for dishwashers?

[myfoursonsks]

They have always had liquid for dishwashers.  Cascade and every other brand has it too.  Then there are the action packs as well.

Quoting MissTacoBell:

they made liquid intended for dishwashers?

[montessori_mama]

That was happening to me a lot here, as our water has a high mineral content.  I had to totally change the way I do dishes after we moved.  Here's what I do:

1. Use powder, not liquid detergent if this is going on (I use the tablets that are powder and rinse aid - the extra rinse aid helps, too).

2.  Run on the hottest setting.  You can also run the tap closest to the dishwasher before starting it, to make sure the water 'heats up' enough before the cycle begins.  Run it when you know your hot water heater is full, not after everyone has just bathed.

3.  I use a product called "Dishwasher Magic" every couple of months.  It's just sold at the grocery store, and it cleans all of the mineral buildup out of your dishwasher.  Getting rid of the buildup helps your dishwasher run more effectively and keeps it from ending up on your dishes.

Since I changed these three things, I haven't had any trouble.

[CoUrtNEyLeE]

Maybe try using a little vinegar in your dishwasher

[CoastieWifePR]

ooo thanks!

Quoting montessori_mama:

That was happening to me a lot here, as our water has a high mineral content.  I had to totally change the way I do dishes after we moved.  Here's what I do:

1. Use powder, not liquid detergent if this is going on (I use the tablets that are powder and rinse aid - the extra rinse aid helps, too).

2.  Run on the hottest setting.  You can also run the tap closest to the dishwasher before starting it, to make sure the water 'heats up' enough before the cycle begins.  Run it when you know your hot water heater is full, not after everyone has just bathed.

3.  I use a product called "Dishwasher Magic" every couple of months.  It's just sold at the grocery store, and it cleans all of the mineral buildup out of your dishwasher.  Getting rid of the buildup helps your dishwasher run more effectively and keeps it from ending up on your dishes.

Since I changed these three things, I haven't had any trouble.