Bad dishwasher or Hard water?

[Billyg]

Don't know which one it might be but I can't get these dishes clean!
I've read some old threads about hard water rememdies but I'm still confused about water treatment options. A lot of the threads vear off into debates over TV water being OK or not.
I want a water filter (don't think chlorine was meant to drink) and a remedy for the hard water. Suggestiion?
Thank you, thank you.

[scrapple]

I don't know if it's the same experience you are having, but I had a sort of fine film on everything. I searched the web and it was recommended to put vinegar thru an empty load. I think I used a quart. Did that and it solved my problem. That was about 6 months ago. I'm ready to do another "unload". Hope that helps!

[skip0358]

I would bet it's hard water. I've been exploring putting a whole house softner in but I agree also on the debate issues. Just the facts would help.

[janmcn]

If you're using Cascade, throw it away and use Finish Gelpacs with a sprinkle of Lemi Shine. It will remedy your problem for about $6.00.

[spk7951]

When we first moved to TV we had the same problem with the dishwasher. Tried at least three different cleaning agents and nothing changed. Spots all over glasses and silverware. Even called GE who told us to use hotter water. That did not help either.
Once we installed a whole house water filter system the problem disappeared.

[ilovetv]

If you're using Cascade, throw it away and use Finish Gelpacs with a sprinkle of Lemi Shine. It will remedy your problem for about $6.00.

I used Finish Gelpacs when we came here and tried using that with LemiShine and it did not help. Have tried everything and conclude it is the hard water. The water glasses look like they were rinsed in skim milk and water, no matter what we try. Water softener is our next purchase.

[angiefox10]

When we first moved to TV we had the same problem with the dishwasher. Tried at least three different cleaning agents and nothing changed. Spots all over glasses and silverware. Even called GE who told us to use hotter water. That did not help either.
Once we installed a whole house water filter system the problem disappeared.

What system did you get, and I know it's rude, but what was the cost... Installed.

[Whalen]

It's the water.

Have you also noticed the white spots on sink and shower fixtures?
We'll be installing some sort of filter this year, still researching.

As to the water in TV there is no debate as far as I'm concerned, it's:yuck:

[collie1228]

The dish washing detergent manufacturers remove phosphates from their products in 2010. It was done in 17 states "voluntarily", but was due to pressure from the feds. Since the manufacturers can't easily formulate their products differently in different states, they pretty much removed the phosphates from their products totally. Here is part of an NPR article from December 2010:

"Is your dishwasher not working the way it used to? Earlier this year, with little fanfare, detergent makers reworked their formulas. This was supposed to be good for waterways. But it turned a simple chore into a frustrating mystery for many people across the country. A couple of months ago, Sandra Young from Vernon, Fla., started to notice that something was seriously amiss with her dishes. "The pots and pans were gray, the aluminum was starting to turn black, the glasses had fingerprints and lip prints still on them, and they were starting to get this powdery look to them," Vernon says. "I'm like, oh, my goodness, my dishwasher must be dying; I better get a new dishwasher." Young's not alone. Many people across the country are tearing out their hair over stained flatware, filmy glasses and ruined dishes."

It's probably not the water; rather it's your government at work. You can decide for yourself if you like it or not. I know what Ron Paul would say . . . .

[laryb]

Don't know which one it might be but I can't get these dishes clean!
I've read some old threads about hard water rememdies but I'm still confused about water treatment options. A lot of the threads vear off into debates over TV water being OK or not.
I want a water filter (don't think chlorine was meant to drink) and a remedy for the hard water. Suggestiion?
Thank you, thank you.
Billy, we had the same problem' and now machine works great. Check out this past thread
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45952

[salpal]

I throw some white vinegar (about a cup full) into the bottom of dishwasher just prior to turning it on. The vinegar safely removes spots from glasses and gets all dishes cleaner.

[CarGuys]

I feel it's the Water, No I know it's the water. Our home will have some type of Charcoal filter to clean up the chlorine and a softner to reduce the hard water and smell

And try this secret. Orange Tang The breakfast drink! Cleans up the diswasher and even removes Spaghetti Red Sauce.

Just got back from a demonstration at a Maytag store. For our new HE top load washer

They take city tap chlorine water and mix it with HE laundry detergent. Guess what you get! Useless soap.

Kills all the enzymes to clean your Clothes. Village Aguifer City Water yuck!

[Mikeod]

We had a problem like that and tried all sorts of things. Then I was working under the kitchen sink one day and noticed they had plumbed the dishwasher to the cold water line!! I had them come out and re-do the plumbing (still under warranty) and the problem went away. Worth checking under the sink.

[Bosoxfan]

We add lemon juice to each load & it cleared up the problem.

[graciegirl]

Ours works fine. No water softener here. Try using HALF of the usual dishwashing soap.

[spk7951]

What system did you get, and I know it's rude, but what was the cost... Installed.

We had an Ecowater system installed back in 2008 and it was something like $3,200. Also priced Culligan but ended up with the Ecowater system and have had no problems with it.

If you do decide on a whole house water filter system I would offer an opinion of staying away from the door to door water filter sales people. Do not have a lot of faith in those systems.

[Quixote]

If you do decide on a whole house water filter system I would offer an opinion of staying away from the door to door water filter sales people. Do not have a lot of faith in those systems.

I absolutely agree! And the issue is definitely the hard water. We had originally bought a resale where the first owner had spent some $4,000 on--no matter what they called it--a water softener. Outrageous! The last water softener we ever bought and had installed cost under $1,000; that was a number of years ago, so it might be a bit more now. Is there a Sears around here? That would be a good place to price them.

[philnpat]

Back home in NY I have to do the vinegar and Tang thing. Here in TV our glasses come out sparkling clean (I sound like a commercial) Our glass shower doors are clean and no residue on the tiles either.
The previous owner had a water filter installed but took it with her when she moved. We don't have a softener or filter. We use Cascade Complete gel pacs for the washer. A very unscientific way that I judge water hardness is by the amount of suds I get when I wash my hair in the shower. Suds galore! We're in Duval.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Ditto what philnpat said. Our place is in Duval and we've been very happy with our water quality. No filter, no softener.

Bill :)

[angiefox10]

Ditto what philnpat said. Our place is in Duval and we've been very happy with our water quality. No filter, no softener.

Bill :)


Do you all get water from different places?

[zcaveman]

I had a softener in NJ because I had a well. I like the feel of the soft water and the reduced cost of soaps, etc.

I have a softener down here and am very happy. No chlorine taste and everything is clean and I use less soap.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

[wendyquat]

Jet Dry works for us!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Do you all get water from different places?

The potable water comes from several wells which feed the above ground storage tanks. So the water all comes from the various supply wells but can vary in initial quality given that the wells are in different locations. It would be logical to think that the treatment facilities would all provide equal quality water as an end product but that doesn't seem to be the case based on everybody's feedback.

zcaveman mentioned the chlorine............and that's one thing we notice about our water too is the faint chlorine smell. Forgot to mention that in my prior post. The chlorine smell doesn't really bother us.

Bill :)

[angiefox10]

The potable water comes from several wells which feed the above ground storage tanks. So the water all comes from the various supply wells but can vary in initial quality given that the wells are in different locations. It would be logical to think that the treatment facilities would all provide equal quality water as an end product but that doesn't seem to be the case based on everybody's feedback.

zcaveman mentioned the chlorine............and that's one thing we notice about our water too is the faint chlorine smell. Forgot to mention that in my prior post. The chlorine smell doesn't really bother us.

Bill :)

When I was there for the lifestyle stay.... it bleached my hair three shades lighter. Just sayin..... :evil6:

[CarGuys]

Angie!

Ruth's hair turned Orange. Mine turned from brown/gray to blond. Had way to much Chlorine in it.

And you use 30 - 50 Gallons of water on the average to shower, That's alot of Chlorine to be exposed to.

Some are more sensitive to it. Seems the ones that are not have more fun jabbing the ones that are?

Bottom line is there is to much Bleach in the water. It's legal but still to much for my taste and health.

[philnpat]

It's my understanding that an ordinary water softener does not remove chlorine from water. A reverse osmosis or carbon filtration unit is needed to properly remove this chemical. Water softeners sold at big box stores and Sears use salt to soften the water. I believe that an additional filtration system would be needed to actually take care of the chlorine issue.

[CarGuys]

Correct!

New systems have Internal charcoal filters that also backflush themselfs.

Looking into the Water Boss City. A model sold for that condition. Chlorine.

Any one using this system in the Village. Sears also has a similar system.

I believe Mr. Fixit installed several.

H

[graciegirl]

When I was there for the lifestyle stay.... it bleached my hair three shades lighter. Just sayin..... :evil6:

You're makin' that up Angie Fox:rolleyes:

You sure do look like Barbra though... You are stylin! And you also look like you are too young to live here.

OH the thread. Up in Harmeswood while renting we had film on glasses, no film in Hadley or Laurel Valley.

Different dishwashers? I thought I might be using too much dishwashing soap and it was etching my plastic glasses so I cut back...Who knows?

[zcaveman]

It's my understanding that an ordinary water softener does not remove chlorine from water. A reverse osmosis or carbon filtration unit is needed to properly remove this chemical. Water softeners sold at big box stores and Sears use salt to soften the water. I believe that an additional filtration system would be needed to actually take care of the chlorine issue.

I had to turn off my softener for a few weeks due to a medical problem. The chlorine taste and smell returned. When I turned the softener back on, the smell and taste went away so I think my softener removes the chlorine from the water.