Newbie question - Getting dishes clean?
 

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".....

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

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.

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

Between now and "replacement", that just might be the solution. Saving up for a Bosch!

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.

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!

I have a Whirlpool, and the filter just screws right off in about a few seconds.

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!

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.

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).

Non-stick Pots and Pans are a No-no in the Dishwasher!
 

I highly recommend Finish Powerball pods.
Finish(R) Powerball Power Dishwasher Tablets | Finish(R)
Dishes and glasses come out clean and glistening every time. Far superior to any powder.