If you’ve had your dishwasher long enough, you’ve probably noticed a white residue left on your dishes after you’ve run them through the machine. This residue is caused by mineral deposits that are present in hard water, and though these mineral deposits are unsightly, they are not unsanitary. But no one wants to eat off of dishes with white film on them. To keep your dishes free of white residue when they come out of the dishwasher, follow these tips.
Remove Mineral Deposits from Your Dishwasher
To get rid of white residue on your dishes, you’ll need to remove the mineral deposits from your dishwasher. You can pay for commercial cleaning products that do this, but it is much more economical to simply remove them with vinegar.
First, start your dishwasher, leaving it empty of dishes or detergent. Once the basin of your dishwasher has filled with water, stop the cycle. Open the door and add two cups of vinegar. Turn the dishwasher back on, and let it complete the cycle. The acid in the vinegar will break down and remove the mineral deposits caused by hard water.
Dishwasher Additives
Once your dishwasher is clean, you’ll need to make sure that hard water will not create further mineral deposits. To do this, you’ll need to add two steps to your dishwashing routine. First, you should add a rinse aid like Jet Dry when you load your dishwasher. This rinse aid will help to prevent white spots from forming on your dishes during the final rinse cycle.
You should make sure use an acidic additive, as well. One of the best options is Lemi Shine, which is a product made of all natural citrus oils that keeps hard water from causing mineral deposits from forming on your dishes or inside your dishwasher.
As you fight the war on unsightly hard water residue, you may find that your dishwasher is in need of repair. Learn how a Home Warranty from American Home Shield can help protect you from out-of-pocket repair costs and keep your dishwasher running efficiently.
