It’s frustrating when the dishwasher we expect to clean our dishes doesn’t do its job as well as it should. This can happen for a variety of reasons.
This post aims to point out some possible reasons why dishes are still greasy after you washed them in the dishwasher.
Dishes can remain greasy after machine washing for a number of reasons, such as: 1. The filter is not clean. 2. You are not using the right type of detergent. 3. The detergent is not released properly. 4. The water is hard where you live. 5. The spray jets are clogged. 6. The spinning spray arms do not rotate. 7. There are too many dishes in the dishwasher or they are not loaded properly. 8. The water is not hot enough. 9. The machine is not getting enough water. 10. There is not enough water pressure.
We can eliminate most of these errors ourselves, but there are cases when the help of a professional may be necessary.
1. The dishwasher filter may be clogged
The function of the dishwasher filter is to collect food residues released from the dishes and circulate them in the water during the cycle.
The waste that accumulates in the filter causes an unpleasant odor and prevents the proper flow of water, which leads to a weaker cleaning effect.
The filter must be cleaned regularly for it to perform its task effectively. There are also machines with self-cleaning filters that do not need to be cleaned. These filters grind down the residues, which are then easily removed with the wastewater.
So if you notice that the dishes are not clean enough or the machine emits an unpleasant smell, it is probably time to clean the filter.
Remove the filter located at the bottom of the machine, then wash it under running water.
If you scrape the food residues off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, you should clean the filter every 2-3 months. However, if you do not remove the food particles, the filter will get dirty quickly and will need to be checked more often.
Talking about dirty dishwashers, you may wish to read my article on what causes the appearance of black residue.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
For the dishwasher to perform well, it should be cleaned every one or two months. Some people use simple vinegar and baking soda for this purpose. However, there are also special dishwasher cleaning agents that remove grease and limescale deposits in the machine.
If your dishwasher has a self-cleaning cycle, select it, otherwise choose one that runs at a temperature of at least 60°C / 140°F.
According to experts, it is recommended to clean the dishwasher every 3 months, but we can do it more often if our dishes remain greasy or there is an unpleasant smell inside the machine.
2. Choose a good quality dishwasher detergent
Different types of detergents behave in different ways, depending on their composition. It is worth buying a quality one, even if it costs more.
Newer types of detergents contain enzymes that are effective in breaking down dirt. Most detergents in powder, tab, and pack form contain enzymes, and liquid ones do less often.
If you live in a place with hard water (this information should be available from your water supplier), you may need to add more detergent.
3. Dishwasher detergent is not dissolving properly
The detergent dispenser located on the door may be blocked by the dishes placed in the machine, so it cannot open and the detergent cannot be released.
If a large tray is placed in front of the door, it may block the flow of water to the detergent dispenser, preventing it from being released.
The detergent dispenser door also does not open properly if the motor or spring that operates it fails. In such a case, the best solution is to have it repaired by a professional. Find out if you can put the dishwasher tab into the cutlery basket.
Clogging of the spray jets can cause a lack of water in the dishwasher, and the detergent cannot dissolve sufficiently.
4. Hard water may cause dishwasher problems
Newer dishwasher models have a water softening system, to which we have to add special dishwasher salt. This water-softening system works on the principle of ion exchange and eliminates calcium and magnesium from the water.
Limescale formation begins at temperatures above 140°F / 60°C, and the higher the heat, the more intense it is. If limescale builds up on the heater, it will not work efficiently.
Limescale deposits caused by hard water can cause many problems in various parts of the machine, such as blockages that prevent the free flow of water. The minerals in hard water can also leave a white residue on our dishes.
Dishwasher salt does not cost much, but using it can reduce the problems caused by hard water.
5. The spray jets may be clogged
If the spray jets are clogged, the dishwasher will not receive enough water to wash the dishes sufficiently.
The clogging of the small water valves can be caused by food particles circulating in the water or, in the case of hard water, by limescale deposits. We can reduce the number of circulating food residues in the water by scraping the pieces of our dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
Samsung recommends cleaning clogged jets with a soft brush and soapy warm water. Others prefer a toothpick, but you have to be careful with it, not to push the dirt in even more. Disassemble the spinning arms as described in the manufacturer’s manual and clean them with warm water, limescale remover, or vinegar.
6. Dishwasher spray arms not spinning
When loading the dishwasher, make sure that dishes or cutlery do not obstruct the movement of the spinning spray arms.
Food residues and dirt deposits can also make it difficult for the spray arms to move freely, in which case they must be cleaned, as already mentioned.
If the spinning jet arms do not rotate, the cause may be that they are damaged or broken. In such cases, they must be replaced.
7. Overloaded or incorrectly loaded dishwasher
The dishes must be placed in the dishwasher in such a way that the water coming from the rotating spray arms can come into contact with all parts of the dishes.
Cutlery must be placed in the provided basket with their handles down so that there is space between them.
The correct placement of dishes is therefore crucial for well-washed dishes. You can find information about this in the manufacturer’s manual.
8. The water in the dishwasher is not hot enough
Most dishwashers use water at a temperature of 130-140°F / 55-60°C, in which the detergent dissolves sufficiently and washes away grease effectively.
There are several reasons why the water in the dishwasher is not hot enough. The water heater, thermostat, or controller board may have failed.
9. The dishwasher does not get enough water
Inadequate water supply to the dishwasher can be caused by several reasons, such as a door that does not close properly, a faulty circulation pump, or a float switch.
A water supply error can be caused by a clogged or defective water inlet valve, but also by errors in plumbing and electrical installations.
10. There is not enough water pressure
Weak water pressure in the dishwasher can be caused by kinks or breaks in the inlet hose, as well as low pressure in the entire water system.
Final thoughts
If the dishes feel greasy after the dishwasher, there can be several reasons, the most common of which are an unclean filter, limescale caused by hard water, improper placement of the dishes, or the use of the wrong detergent, and the failure of some machine parts.
We can improve the performance of the dishwasher by making sure that there are no pieces of food on our dishes, and by loading them correctly into the machine.
It is also important to use the right detergent and dishwasher salt and to clean the machine regularly. If any part of the machine, or perhaps the plumbing, has failed, it is best to call a professional to repair it.