- If the dishes are not getting clean: a) Make sure the water is hot enough – it should be at least 140 degrees, which is hot enough to burn you (very hot!) – If it is not hot enough, A) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures. Use the proper amount of detergent and make sure the detergent is fresh (check expiration or “best if used by” date.). B) select a cycle that provides for a hotter wash water temperature, C) Make sure the lower spray arm is unobstructed and is “free turning”. D) Make sure the bottom inside of the dishwasher is clean and free of debris. E) turn the hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting. F) Make sure the water is draining and not recirculating dirty water.
- If the door isn’t closing:
- Make sure the latch assembly is unrestricted and latching properly.
- Make sure the door is not hitting anything. Sometimes the screws that anchor the dishwasher to the bottom of the counter top come loose and cause the door to hit the mounting brackets or the screws. Sometimes the dishwasher can twist in the cabinet opening and sit crooked in the space causing the door to hit the side cabinet.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the door from opening and closing properly.
- If the unit is leaking: Address this issue immediately as water leaking underneath can be damaging your flooring!!!!! a) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures, including proper type and amounts of detergents (run unit through cycle empty, if it doesn’t leak it is probably a loading problem). b) Make sure the racks are positioned properly. c) Make sure the door is unrestricted around the opening. d) Make sure it is sitting level in the opening. Look at the space along both sides and across the top. This is normally more of a problem if the dishwasher was recently installed. Call 410 682-3232 for service if these tips do not reveal the source of the leak.
Tech Tip
If your dishwasher is developing a film on the inside, put 6-7 drops of good quality, name brand regular liquid detergent (the type used for hand washing dishes) in the bottom and put the machine through a regular cycle. This procedure will wash away soap scum, some mineral deposits, and grit. It will also allow the machine to work better. Important note – do not use more than 6-7 drops of detergent because oversudsing can cause a flood! Be proactive, prevent potential floods!
If the above suggestion did not work and the inside of your dishwasher is still brown and discolored from mineral stains, add one Affresh tablet (we sell it in three tablet packets for $9.95 and it works great!) and put the machine through a regular cycle. As an alternative you can also put Lime-away (available at your grocery store) or Tang Citrus Drink into the tank during the wash cycle. The citric acid from these products should remove the mineral buildup and restore the finish! There are a variety of citrus products available over the counter.
If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call us at (410) 682-3232 to ask additional questions or for fast, dependable service!
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