What is causing this .

[dinger]

All my saucepans and cutlery are getting badly marked in our dish washer . We make sure there is salt and rinse aid in but can't understand why they are coming out smeared with white and ruined . These are all stainless steel items .Any ideas girls .

[dragonfly]

Could the salt be affecting the metal Dinger???

[dinger]

perhaps I should try leaving the salt out but I only put it in when the light comes up for salt to be added. I am going to have to buy all new cuttlery .

[keepersdaughter]

Dinger, a couple of things maybe to check:

Is the water heating up properly, ie, hot enough to completely dissolve the powder?

Are the dispensers opening properly and/or filled correctly so as not to leave powder residue on the items?

Are you using a different dish washing soap?

Can you (your husband maybe) check to see if there's a block in the drain on the botton (inside) the dishwasher - this was what caused problems with my dishwasher a year or so ago, stuff was blocking the drain at the bottom causing dirty water and every thing came out stained.

[dinger]

I will check all these things keepers did you reccomend once about adding white vinegar in the dish washer or have I dreamt it .xx

[keepersdaughter]

Yes Dinger, try the vinegar too. I was having so many probs. with my washer a while ago, though not exactly like you describe. Have you changed brands of dishwahing soap or liquid, I find the cheaper ones don't do the job.
Over here they don't use dishwasher salts, I have no idea why. Never seen them for sale anywhere. I use the powder, and rinse aid or white vinegar. But from what you describe, it sounds like the powder isn't dissolving and then it becomes dried on your utensils?

[dinger]

Hi keepers I always use Finish in the machine but have discovered they do two versions so am now trying the better one .maybe that will work as i read on it hard water area can cause the marking and coming out white .Will let you know how it goes .xx

[cindy]

I live in a hard water area and the owner of the shop where I bought my dishwasher said that because of the water hardness he recomended that I still used rinse aid and added salt as after all when the machine rinses it removes all the chemicals from the detergent.
My saucepans are stainless steel and they are fine. The only problem I have is with the handles. They are wood and I know I shouldn't put them in the dishwasher but I do! So now they are stripped of varnish and gradually degrading. Yes, I know... but I bought the dishwasher to use, not just for crockery.

[dinger]

Am pleased to say my dishwasher is working better with these tablets nothing came out white and no stained cutlery tonight. Thanks for all your help .x

[keepersdaughter]

Dinger, how's your dishwasher. Seems mine may have caught whatever was affecting yours!. I thought maybe it's because I used dishwashing liquid instead of powder, but I bought a new eco friendly one to try, but it was all over everything when i opened the door. I've run the dishwasher 3 times now, tried vinegar, powder, only water, but it doesn't dissolve and as far as I can make out, not spraying water. Looks like a job the a technician, though it's almost the same price to buy a new one! ARRGGGGHHH.

[Crocus]

My goodness, what is it with your dishwashers eh? That said, perhaps I should not say another word in case my dishwasher catch it too! ... xx