Dirty Dishwasher Blues

Gail McQueen

Professional Home Economist

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The Dirty Dishwasher Blues

You probably first noticed it late last summer. The dishes coming out of your dishwasher weren't as clean as usual. The cutlery was spotted, the glasses had a milky film and tea stains lingered on the cups. Trying to rectify the problem, you may have changed dishwasher detergents or even used a special product to clean the machine. Even now, the dishes still aren't up to par. Is it your dishwasher? Probably not. Here's why.

For years manufacturers have added phosphates to our cleaning products to improve their performance. Phosphates cut grease, soften water and hold dirt. Unfortunately, when the waste water from these detergents goes down the drain, it fertilizes algae and weeds in our rivers, lakes and streams. The over growth causes reduced oxygen levels in the water, ultimately killing the fish and other marine organisms. Large amounts of blue-green algae can even produce dangerous levels of toxins to humans.

Recognizing the need to reduce phosphate levels in our waterways, the federal government announced three years ago, in February 2008, that there would be new regulations to restrict the amount of phosphates in dishwasher and laundry detergents to negligible amounts. These new standards came into effect, very quietly, last summer in July 2010. There was little media coverage.

Manufacturers of laundry detergents have been experimenting with lower phosphate products for years. A lot of us were already using them, so when the new regulations took effect, generally it was life as usual in the laundry room. The real shocker came in the dishwasher. Even if we didn't know that there had been some tinkering to our tried and true dishwasher compounds, we definitely noticed the consequences. Who knew that glasses could get so cloudy?

There is a difference! The new, phosphate free dishwasher detergents, just aren't doing the job that the old ones did. Dishwasher detergents with phosphates made the job so easy. Dishes went into the machine. They came out clean. We never gave it a second thought. Is it still possible to have clean dishes from the machine again? Yes it is. We just have to work a little harder at it. Here are a few solutions that I have found.

1. Before loading dishes, scrape off any excess food.

2. Load your dishes and cutlery so that water can easily move between each item. Avoid having a nest of cutlery or your dishes touching. This is now more important than ever.

3. Before you turn on the dishwasher, run the hot water till it is hot to ensure the machine is filling with hot water.

4. Fill the rinse dispenser with vinegar. This has done wonders at our house for the glasses and cutlery.

5. Every month or so, do a vinegar wash. Simply pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the bottom of the machine, then run a normal wash cycle without any dishes. This should help to remove accumulated mineral deposits.

Last of all, have patience. Eventually, better phosphate free dishwasher detergents will be developed. In the meantime, know that you are doing your part to protect our water.... And isn't it nice to know that you don't have to replace your dishwasher?