I currently use pods. The reason is, I tried using powder about a year ago and it left all kinds of white residue on my dishes. I tried adjusting the amount of detergent, but it never got better. I live in Arizona and I have extremely hard water. Any tips on what and how much you use to avoid the expensive pods? Back when this was going on, I also tried multiple rinse agents and nothing helped.
Dishwasher detergent causing white residue
byu/Positive_thoughts_12 inFrugal
Posted by Positive_thoughts_12
11 Comments
Try using a gel instead. Also, make sure you’re using a rinse aid. Finally, a detergent booster like adding a teaspoon of citric acid can also help.
Clean the filter. Make sure the water is hot at the sink.
Use a citrus based rinse aid and detergent.
Watch this guy on YouTube
https://youtu.be/DAX2_mPr9W8?si=W-ceeIylNbezCEdI
Pods don’t work well with most dishwashers because you are skipping the pre-wash.
Do you run the hot water to the sink and run the garbage disposal before a cycle? I’d also check the dishwasher filter.
Try adding a splash of vinegar to liquid detergent.
Are you cleaning the filter in the dishwasher? I bought a second filter so I can trade them out so I can wash it regularly. And are you putting the pod in the dispenser? I now throw the pod in the bottom of the machine instead.
Use dishwasher salt and rinse aid. Use a teaspoon of powders and run the hot tap before putting it on if you’re in the US
I use white vinegar in the rinse dispenser
Make sure you clean your filter at least once a month. Run the hot water before starting the washer and make sure you’re not using too much detergent and add a rinse aid.
I’ve had a dishwasher for more than 50 years, have always used powder and I’ve never had an issue
I add a teaspoon of citric acid to the bottom of the dishwasher – it helps with the initial rinse and because it’s rinsed before the detergent is released doesn’t decrease the efficacy of the dishwasher detergent. It’s helped a lot with white residue due to my hard water
Detergent residue comes from using too much detergent. Ensuring the water is hot before starting the wash helps, too.
Have you tried a bottle of liquid gel? You are able to control the dose easier and it will mix easier with hard or soft water.
It’s either hard water and/or the abrasive material used in low quality powders.
You should also run a cup of white vinegar in a hot cycle (in a cup, top rack) every month or as needed in order to remove hard water deposits. This will work wonders for extending the life of your appliance, sanitizing and in cleaning out buildup that ends up depositing on your dishes.
Alternatively or additionally, running on a cold cycle and then drying with a towel may help quite a bit, but it’s labor intensive.
Using a rinse aid can help a ton for some people.
If you want to solve it simply, I eliminated the problem when I started using Finish brand power balls. I bought them in bulk and got a big discount on an Amazon clearance, after seeing them listed on Bensbargains. They’ve lasted for years.