Issue
- The dishwasher leaves a white residue on dishes and cutlery
- Why do I get white residue on my utensils in the dishwasher?
- Poor cleaning results in dishwasher
- Why does glass tarnish in the dishwasher and how to prevent it? (glass corrosion effect)
Applies to
- integrated dishwasher
- freestanding dishwasher
Resolution
The cause of this problem could be limescale or salt residues.
If the residue can easily be wiped off with a finger, it is likely too much salt. If the residue is difficult to remove and comes off with vinegar, it is likely limescale (hard water build-up).
How to clean hard water build-up in dishwasher & adjust hardness level
If there is too much salt in the water of your machine, please refer to the article Dishwasher salt consumption is too high for advice on how much salt your machine needs.
The purpose of salt in your dishwasher is to soften the water, if you are not refilling your salt then the water will be hard and this will leave residue on your dishes. If you live in a hard water area, you may need to add salt and rinse aid with multi-tabs / "3 in 1" to achieve good dishwashing results. Below is a video advising on how to refill your dishwasher salt.
What is dishwasher salt and how do you use it?
- Unscrew the cap for the salt container, this will be located at the bottom of the machine cavity on the left-hand side.
- Using the funnel that comes with your dishwasher, pour the salt into the container until full.
- Screw the cap back on and wipe up any excess salt that may have been spilt.
- Run a short cycle with the dishwasher empty to rinse away any leftover salt and avoid corrosion.
Rinse aid is recommended also, this helps with drying and protects glasses from marks. Below is a video advising on how and when to refill your rinse aid.
Easy guide on how to use rinse aid for your dishwasher
Use a dishwasher descaler once every two months or 60 cycles. It prevents the limescale from depositing on the heater.
Follow carefully the instructions on the packaging of the product. We recommend specialized maintenance detergents available from our Webshop.
How to use your dishwasher Machine Care programme
For recommended salt, rinse aid and descaler for your dishwasher, CLICK HERE
If the issue persists, please contact our customer care team.
Glass tarnishing - How to prevent
Glass tarnishing is also called glass corrosion or glass rust. It may have various causes, such as too harsh detergent, too high temperature during washing or too soft water (water hardness incorrect settings). To prevent the glass from tarnishing, follow the recommendations below:
- Ensure the correct dosage of rinse aid, salt and washing detergent
- Wash glass at a temperature below 55°C
- Always wash fine and delicate crystal glasses by hand
- Select the shortest program if there is only glass in the dishwasher, or use a special glass programme. (consult the user manual for information on washing programs)
- Open the machine as soon as it is finished to let the steam out. The steam is not good for the glasses, and if you are at home when the dishwasher has finished washing, it is a good idea to dry the glasses afterwards with a tea towel.
Tips for saving energy at home when using your dishwasher
With energy prices soaring, it’s never been a better time to rethink how you use the appliances in your home to save energy and money. Besides helping your household budget, it will also benefit the planet, reducing CO2 emissions. Here are some helpful tips on how to reduce energy when using your dishwasher
- Use the ECO program when dishwashing. It takes a bit longer, but the dishwasher doesn’t have to work as hard, which means it uses less energy. Compare it to if you run or walk 1km. Running is faster but you need to use a lot more energy. If you walk instead it takes longer, but you use much less energy. The same logic goes for the ECO program
- If you have an hourly electricity rate, do the dishes when the price is at its lowest
- If you have an old dishwasher, it will have a low energy class – you can save energy just by replacing it with a new one
See other helpful tips to save energy and money
Efficient energy-saving tips for your home to lower your energy costs
Cause
- The cause of the problem could be a combination of salt or limescale. If you can wipe off the white coating with a finger, it is probably salt residue.
- If you cannot wipe the coating off but you can remove it with a small amount of vinegar, it is probably limescale.
