Newbie question - Getting dishes clean?

[WiscoDogsDad]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

[retiredguy123]

Have you tried cleaning the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher? It's removable.

[Bill14564]

I have a similar film but mostly on nonstick.i attributed it to the rinse agent but I’m not sure of that. I haven’t found a way to prevent it so I’m resigned to handwashing the pans.

[WiscoDogsDad]

Have you tried cleaning the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher? It's removable.
Oh good God! I just watched a video....the guy in the video damn near disassembled the entire machine to get at the filter!

[WiscoDogsDad]

I have a similar film but mostly on nonstick.i attributed it to the rinse agent but I’m not sure of that. I haven’t found a way to prevent it so I’m resigned to handwashing the pans.
Between now and "replacement", that just might be the solution. Saving up for a Bosch!

[Maker]

The film is from the water itself. Nothing to do with any filter or rinse agent. The root cause is the change in detergent formulation years ago. Government removed TSP. But... you can still buy that yourself. Buy some, and add about a teaspoon now and then with the wash. It will clean the residue and the inside of the dishwasher will be spotless. The rinse agent will work properly for a while.
Disclaimer: TSP will cause plant growth (algae) in ponds. That is the main reason it was excluded from dishwasher, and regular dish soaps.

[SIRE1]

Oh good God! I just watched a video....the guy in the video damn near disassembled the entire machine to get at the filter!

I had to laugh when I read your post. I had just looked at YouTube the other day on how to clean the filter and I almost fainted at all you had to do to get at it. I know it would never all go back together again if I tried that.

[WiscoDogsDad]

I had to laugh when I read your post. I had just looked at YouTube the other day on how to clean the filter and I almost fainted at all you had to do to get at it. I know it would never all go back together again if I tried that.
RIGHT???!!!????

I think the design engineer, who made that process THAT convoluted, should have been promoted to Chief Sanitary Practitioner, at his company!

[retiredguy123]

Oh good God! I just watched a video....the guy in the video damn near disassembled the entire machine to get at the filter!
I have a Whirlpool, and the filter just screws right off in about a few seconds.

[villagetinker]

We live just North of 44 and south of 466a and have found the water to be very hard, I installed a water softener (salt based) and a whole house filter, and our dishes come out streak free with just Cascade dishwasher liquid, for the last almost 12 years. On a side note, I typically test for salt in the house water and have never found any, our water is excellent. The equipment is Sears, and I have no idea what I am going to replace it with.

[WiscoDogsDad]

We live just North of 44 and south of 466a and have found the water to be very hard, I installed a water softener (salt based) and a whole house filter, and our dishes come out streak free with just Cascade dishwasher liquid, for the last almost 12 years. On a side note, I typically test for salt in the house water and have never found any, our water is excellent. The equipment is Sears, and I have no idea what I am going to replace it with.
Tinker, you are a master peppermill technician and I can help YOU, with my research and experience. Both Consumer Reports (I subscribe) and I recommend Bosch!

[oldtimes]

I have found that only Cascade Platinum Plus or Finish Ultimate works with the water in Florida. I had the same problem and thought about getting a new dishwasher until I read an article somewhere that discussed this. Once I made the switch my dishes were clean again.

[asianthree]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

It’s not the filter it’s the water. For some reason every Village I have lived in there has been a white ish film especially on silicone utensils plastic containers, glassware, especially if they have a raised pattern.

I use Harris Citric Acid (Amazon) one tiny scoop (included in package), in the detergent door. My granny used it to remove stains and film long before dishwashers.

May take a cycle or two to remove film from current dishes. After that not only will your items be film free, it keeps the interior of dishwasher sparkling.

However if you have screen printed coffee mugs, it will fade the design. (Spouse Mickey golfer mug, no longer has Mickey, golf or name on it).

[Bonanza]

I have a similar film but mostly on nonstick.i attributed it to the rinse agent but I’m not sure of that. I haven’t found a way to prevent it so I’m resigned to handwashing the pans.

You should never put non-stick pots and pans in the dishwasher.

[ithos]

I highly recommend Finish Powerball pods.
Finish(R) Powerball Power Dishwasher Tablets | Finish(R) (https://www.finishdishwashing.com/products/detergents/power/)
Dishes and glasses come out clean and glistening every time. Far superior to any powder.

[J1ceasar]

Filed under things you never asked the dishwasher salesman first but you should.

[westernrider75]

RIGHT???!!!????

I think the design engineer, who made that process THAT convoluted, should have been promoted to Chief Sanitary Practitioner, at his company!

My Samsung is no problem to get to the filter, no tools needed.

[elle123]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....
2009 dishwasher? You gotta be joking.

[Rzepecki]

I have found that only Cascade Platinum Plus or Finish Ultimate works with the water in Florida. I had the same problem and thought about getting a new dishwasher until I read an article somewhere that discussed this. Once I made the switch my dishes were clean again.

I use the same product and my dishes come out film free.

[Bill14564]

Filed under things you never asked the dishwasher salesman first but you should.

How would that work exactly?

This dishwasher was installed by the builder more than 10 years before the OP even considered buying the home.

On new homes here, the dishwasher is already installed; there is no salesman to ask.

[merrymini]

A dishwasher from 2009 and it is still running? I have started using environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent such as dropps or truearth and have found them to be excellent. My filter is very easy to remove and thank goodness when I see what it captures. It may be time to get a new dishwasher, you will not regret it. I never put oversized items in or pots and pans they take too much room and always wash them by hand.

[opinionist]

I had a problem with the film on the glasses and used the temperature boost option to fix the problem.

[MollyJo]

Dry powder detergent dishwasher/washing machine-at my previous job@ Assisted Living, maintenance man showed us ladies how the powder detergent does not fully dissolve, therefore coating the pvc drainage pipes & over time clings to the inside pipe, reducing a 2”-3” pipe down to a 1.5” pipe for drainage. It was caked on like cement. Gel or gel pods dissolve easier.

[GoldenBoy]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

It is the water. You mentioned the solution -- move back up north.

[Paula]

A cheap potential solution could be trying different brands and types of detergent.

[yporter]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

I also use the Cascade Power Pods and have no issues with residue - but I hand wash all aluminum pans, since it will corrode them.

[Tvflguy]

We have an LG dishwasher, new 2014 when we moved into our new TV home. About 6 years ago my wife was upset that the dishes/glasses had a film after washing. Used Cascade pods all the time. So after hearing her "concerns" for months, I decided to go to Home Depot with her - set to get a new DW. A great salesperson helped us. I asked which DW is best. He asked my wife what was wrong with ours. We detailed the issue. I told him that she washes the dishes before the DW, waste of water etc... He then told us our DW was fine. and NOT to wash/clean the dishes before putting into DW. He said the new detergent works WITH food stuff on the dishes to clean. If there is nothing on the dishes, it WILL leave film.

So she now DOES NOT wash the dishes before putting into DW. Ever since them vitually PERFECT. The HD guy saved us $$$$ etc. She now may rinse the dishes a bit - but NOT too much.

Solved problem!!!

[ElDiabloJoe]

We have an LG dishwasher, new 2014 when we moved into our new TV home. About 6 years ago my wife was upset that the dishes/glasses had a film after washing. Used Cascade pods all the time. So after hearing her "concerns" for months, I decided to go to Home Depot with her - set to get a new DW. A great salesperson helped us. I asked which DW is best. He asked my wife what was wrong with ours. We detailed the issue. I told him that she washes the dishes before the DW, waste of water etc... He then told us our DW was fine. and NOT to wash/clean the dishes before putting into DW. He said the new detergent works WITH food stuff on the dishes to clean. If there is nothing on the dishes, it WILL leave film.

So she now DOES NOT wash the dishes before putting into DW. Ever since them vitually PERFECT. The HD guy saved us $$$$ etc. She now may rinse the dishes a bit - but NOT too much.

P.S. This is a ten-ish year old Kitchen-Aid Dishwasher in the northern house.

Solved problem!!!
Huh! I'm a 85% pre-wash guy. I give it a light go-round with the sponge, but I'm not thorough before putting it into the dishwasher. Somehow, I just can't seem to believe those commercials where they put baked on lasagna residue plated into the washer and they come out immaculate.

[Ptmcbriz]

I have found that only Cascade Platinum Plus or Finish Ultimate works with the water in Florida. I had the same problem and thought about getting a new dishwasher until I read an article somewhere that discussed this. Once I made the switch my dishes were clean again.

Exactly! I did the same and now never have a problem. Of the two, I prefer the Cascade Platinum Plus pods. You put the pod in the soap dispenser and close the dispenser door just like you would with a liquid.

[Kupfgirl]

We raised our water temperature to 120 degrees and now everything comes out clean with no film. 😊



I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

[Albany]

2009 dishwasher? You gotta be joking.

HA! I have a 2004 GE Profile dishwasher, still working fine.

[Runway48]

HA! I have a 2004 GE Profile dishwasher, still working fine.

HA! HA! We have a 2002 GE Triton XL dishwasher, no problems (now I've cursed myself and it will probably breakdown tomorrow).

As far as films on dishes and glasses: we had this problem years ago when using powder detergent and have not had it since switching to liquid and now pods.

[rothbear]

I quit using Cascade about 12 years ago when I found out it was leaving a film on my glasses and a black film on my knives. Went to Finish tabs (now they are pods) and never looked back. The two Finish together works wonders. Removed the black film from my knives. Unfortunately the film on the glasses etched them so they were trash.

And yeah I agree about the filters. We have an LG and we have never ever been able to find the filter. So I just run a cleaner through it every now and then or a cup of vinegar through it.

[BobnBev]

I have a Bosch. The dishes used to come out dry, not so much anymore.

[retiredguy123]

It is the water. You mentioned the solution -- move back up north.
I didn't think that the potable water is much different throughout The Villages. My Whirlpool dishwasher cleans glasses and dishes very efficiently and spotlessly. I usually don't put pots and pans in the dishwasher.

[TVTVTV]

I have a 2009 GE Profile dishwasher in a pre-owned home I just bought.

I use a scant amount of Cascade powder and AM using Finish rinse agent.

There is NO additional water filtration nor softening, in the unit, at this time.

My plastic, ceramic, non-stick are coated with a thin film of dusty residue after a cycle and air dry.

Any insight as to the root cause and solution(s) will be appreciated.

No such experience...."up north".....

Welcome! A 2009 dishwasher generally has a life expectancy of 10-15 years. I would make sure the filter is clean and the hose isn't that old. Dishwashers are one of the cheaper appliances to buy, so it's probably getting time to consider a new one soon.