Mineral Film Buildup

[dfn8tly]

Sorry that this is not a recipe or food related thread but I do need some help.

My dishes have developed what I assume is a mineral or film buildup. It is cloudy and slightly gritty in texture. I'm looking for a product or process that will help me remove this in a safe way. I hesitate to use Lime Away or such a chemical since I don't want any residue left behind.

I use good detergent in my dishwasher and a rinse aid. The problem only seems to be increasing.

Any helpful suggestions? Your help will be most appreciated.

[BritParrothead]

Do you use dishwasher salt? We do, and when it runs out this happens to my china and glass.

[uujudy]

Brit, what is dishwasher salt? The same thing is happening to my glassware. It's like a lime deposit. I wonder if there are more minerals in the water due to the drought? I thought of adding vinegar to my dishwasher, but I wondered what it would do to the silverware.

I'll get some dishwasher salt if it will help, but I've never heard of it. Can I use regular table salt? If so, how much do I use?
Thanks for any info,
Judy

[Hoosierb4]

Apparently some dishwashers have a built-in water softener, which uses "dishwasher salt". But, I doubt that many homes in The Villages have this feature. We also have this problem and periodically wash the glasses by hand, with a little bit of Barkeepers Friend when necessary. That removes the film, but I sure would like to find an easier solution that doesn't risk doing more damage than it corrects. I wonder if this problem might be unique to some areas. Perhaps there's a difference in our water supply. We live in St Charles.

[memason]

Do you use dishwasher salt? We do, and when it runs out this happens to my china and glass.

In Germany, we also had a dishwasher that used salt in the cycle. It got the dishes amazing clean, even pots and pans.

If we could find a dishwasher like that [uses salt] in the US, we would buy it in a heartbeat. The only thing worse than our dishwasher is our clothes washer!

To avoid the film problem, we hand wash most glass items.

[renrod]

Google "Dishwasher salt"
http://www.dishwasher-care.org.uk/best.html

[wesmin]

the film on your dishes is lime from the ground water wells vinigar will take most of it off as it contains a natural acid. we have a whole house filter to remove clorine and lime.

[raynan]

We used to use LimeAway for discolored dishwashers at work so it may work on dishes & glassware too but you can also use Tang (the drink the astronauts drink) and I know that won't hurt dishes and glassware.

[Uptown Girl]

There is also a powder additive called Lemi Shine, made to be added along with your dishwasher detergent. I think Walmart sells it.

In the meantime, try adding less detergent than usual and throw a cup of vinegar in at the final rinse, let the dishes, etc. air dry, and see if there is a difference.
Trying vinegar one time shouldn't harm your flatware. (as long as it's not fine silver!)

[Bogie Shooter]

Installing a water softner will eliminate this problem....plus many other benefits.

[Blackie]

We had the same problem with the mineral build up and now use "Cascade Complete" - "All in 1." It is phosphate free

The detergent is in small sachets or "pacs" and is packaged in a plastic tub. We purchased from Sams Club.

This has improved the problem for us considerably.

[Brewster]

Even using regular table salt will work to clean the dishes and glass wear.

[JohnN]

I toss in an ounce of white vinegar when starting the wash cycle, which costs less than a penny, and that does a great job on this problem.

[Warren Kiefer]

Sorry that this is not a recipe or food related thread but I do need some help.

My dishes have developed what I assume is a mineral or film buildup. It is cloudy and slightly gritty in texture. I'm looking for a product or process that will help me remove this in a safe way. I hesitate to use Lime Away or such a chemical since I don't want any residue left behind.

I use good detergent in my dishwasher and a rinse aid. The problem only seems to be increasing.

Any helpful suggestions? Your help will be most appreciated.

The problem is a regulation that two years ago banned phosphate from being added to dish detergent compounds. This phosphate is a chemical that is very harmful to our lakes and waterways. It causes uncontrolled algae bloom. You will usually see a dark permanent tarnish on aluminum pot and pans that are washed in the dishwasher. LemiShine (WalMart) which is a salt/citrus solution helps a lot.

[rosygail]

In Indiana our water is extremely hard. I use a:coolsmiley: product called Finish Glass Magic. You just sprinkle about 1 tablespoon in the bottom of the dishwasher and use your regular detergent and rinse aid. Your glasses and dishes will shine like new. If I forget to use it a time of two, back comes the ugly film!]
Hope this is available in TV!

[IADCathy]

I had the same problem. My dishwasher heating element looked corroded, black plastic utensils awful, glass looked etched, plastic with a haze. A service rep advised "Dishwasher Magic" (Walmart has it) and after 4 weeks my heating element is clean and so is everything else that comes out of the dishwasher. Since phosphates have been removed from dish detergent this is the result coupled with hard water. Dishwasher Magic is a powder form of citric acid and you just add 1 tsp with dish detergent in the little dispenser. You will see a difference in the first wash and later everything is sparkling!!! A neighbor told me that Cascade Complete has that additive in it...so when my Dishwasher Magic runs out I will try that to see if I get the same perfect results. Bottom line too--I do not want a water softener in my house.

[getdul981]

Installing a water softner will eliminate this problem....plus many other benefits.

That's what I thought too. We had one installed and the first time I washed one of our hard anodized aluminum pots, the dark finish came off the majority of the pot. I need to check with the distributor to see if this is covered by the lifetime waranty.

[shcisamax]

Cascade Complete has been working for me.

[joycesmith2320]

Tang put in the soap cup in your dishwasher will make the whole inside of the DW sparkle - To get the film off of glassware I use baking soda( by hand) every once in awhile -The glasses look like new - a little work but worth it -

[PaPaLarry]

I wonder which one of you have a Water Softner in home?

[getdul981]

I wonder which one of you have a Water Softner in home?

We do.

[eastmanp]

I have a place in my dishwasher for a rinse additive to prevent spotting. I have used white vinegar for several years now with no adverse effects. I have a high end stainless flatware set that just sparkles and even my glassware from walmart glistens.

[renrod]

I have just rediscovered Borax. Check this out

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=borax+uses&oq=borax&gs_l=hp.1.2.0l4.1709.6499.0.9357.5.5.0.0.0.0.194.8 52.0j5.5.0...0.0...1c.BxuWeXXNu38&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=f836175ab03b0488&biw=1192&bih=568

[Warren Kiefer]

Sorry that this is not a recipe or food related thread but I do need some help.

My dishes have developed what I assume is a mineral or film buildup. It is cloudy and slightly gritty in texture. I'm looking for a product or process that will help me remove this in a safe way. I hesitate to use Lime Away or such a chemical since I don't want any residue left behind.

I use good detergent in my dishwasher and a rinse aid. The problem only seems to be increasing.

Any helpful suggestions? Your help will be most appreciated.

A few years ago the makers of dishwasher detergent was required to remove phosphate from their products. Phosphate has shown to be very damaging to the waterways. Phosphate was the chemical that made dishes shine. As another post stated, WalMart sells a product called LemiShine which helps a lot. Your dishes are actually clean but has that disturbing smoky film.

[asianthree]

I have a place in my dishwasher for a rinse additive to prevent spotting. I have used white vinegar for several years now with no adverse effects. I have a high end stainless flatware set that just sparkles and even my glassware from walmart glistens.

:thumbup:

[Rubber Bucket]

In Germany, we also had a dishwasher that used salt in the cycle. It got the dishes amazing clean, even pots and pans.

If we could find a dishwasher like that [uses salt] in the US, we would buy it in a heartbeat. The only thing worse than our dishwasher is our clothes washer!

To avoid the film problem, we hand wash most glass items.

Miele is a German brand that uses salt in the cycle and is an amazing dishwasher - incredibly quiet, as well. Miele also makes a washer/dryer. All are available in the US but except to pay considerably more than you would for more commonly available brands. I purchased mine in MA and moved them so I'm not sure if there is a dealer located close to TV.

[Joaniesmom]

Sorry that this is not a recipe or food related thread but I do need some help.

My dishes have developed what I assume is a mineral or film buildup. It is cloudy and slightly gritty in texture. I'm looking for a product or process that will help me remove this in a safe way. I hesitate to use Lime Away or such a chemical since I don't want any residue left behind.

I use good detergent in my dishwasher and a rinse aid. The problem only seems to be increasing.

Any helpful suggestions? Your help will be most appreciated.

FINALLY!! Something on which I am an expert! I am an expert in? Whatever! I live in Ohio and we have certifiably the worst hardest water anywhere. My dishes and stainless and glassware were getting a white film on it/them. Also the black dish drainer, the tray under it, the ends of the faucets and showers and the bases of the hot and cold water handles.

The answer is soooo easy and cheap. White vinegar! Fill the dishwasher with yucky but cleaned dishes/glasses/silverware, dump in a good cup or two, whatever of white vinegar, run a normal cycle, and you will not BELIEVE the results! Vinegar is perfectly harmless.

Those little round thingies on the ends of faucets and showers, just unscrew and soak in a little dish of white vinegar. the calcium turns into white goo with a texture like toothpaste.

I could go on and on. It's actually fun! I put my black dish drainer and the tray under it in the dishwasher and they came out so pretty I almost took them around to show the neighbors!

Have fun!