Dishwasher Not Cleaning

[Prudie]

Can anyone suggest what is wrong with my dishwasher. It's about 3 years old and this has only started happening in the last month or so. Things are not coming out clean, well specifically china mugs - go in tea stained and come out even more tea stained (in that it's an even darker brown). I have cleaned all the filters and sprayers, run a bottle of cleaner through it, plenty of salt and use Finish powerball. At the end everything is hot so it's not that. China used to come out as clean as new.
I'm flummoxed about which bit is not working. Any ideas. please?

[kvalidir]

We had this and it was something stuck in the filter. We cleaned it and then put a dishwasher cleaner through it and it's been fine since x

[Eleena]

Prudie, I haven't a clue as I've never owned one. Anything here?
https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=dishwasher+not+cleaning+properly

[jennyjoan]

well if you have "spinners" for top and bottom load - make sure the spin ie not trapped/stopped by say high carving knife or anything high - or a little knife/spoon fell through the ridges. they stop dishes being washed.

[Rockrose]

I know you say you have cleaned sprayers but have you actually taken the arms out and wiggled them to see if there is debris trapped inside?
Also sometimes the sprayer holes are blocked - tweezers are good for this.

[CrapAtCryptics]

How often do you add salt - and is it a good quality one some dont do such a good job.

[EDDIE51]

Is the water softener working correctly? It's not just salt , there is an Ion exchange system that actually does the softening . It replaces the insoluble Calcium salts with soluble Chloride , from the salt (Sodium Chloride) After a while the softener needs to be regenerated. Also you need Tannin remover to get the brown (Tannin) stains out of tea cups. You put Tannin remover in as well as the detergent & salt.
If glassware is coming out fine, it is probably a Tannin remover you need.
https://www.industrial-warewashers.com/knowledgebase/article/tannin-problems/

[Rockrose]

In all the years I have had a dishwasher - I have never ever put tannin remover in.

[ummmm]

Nor me. Never even heard of it.

[Eleena]

I've said this before, sounds like so much faff. My hands only need some hand lotion once in a while ;0)

[Eleena]

Are dishwashers pretty dependable?

[ummmm]

God send, Eleena. The problem with not having one is draining boards are just not big enough.

[ummmm]

Eleena - yes. I'm on my 3rd in the last 20+ years.

[Eleena]

What are typical running costs ummmm roughly a month if you're buying the necessary products it needs?

[ummmm]

And much more hygienic because of the heat they get to.

[anneasquith]

A dishwasher is fabulous, especially if you have family still at home . Funny thing though some men don't know how to empty them !!!!

[Prudie]

Eleena it's the one kitchen appliance that I used to think lazy cows before I had one and now it's the most important appliance I have :-)
Never heard of tannin nor ion exchange and do't use a water softener. This has started happening when it didn't with the same products. Have had both sprayers out, they run freely and the filter. It's almost like it's doing the wash without detergent (although it is). Everything else is coming out clean to the eye but tea stains are awful.

[ummmm]

Salt is cheap and lasts ages. As does rinse aid. You can pick up branded dishwasher tablets from shops like B&M fairly cheaply £2 - £3 plus Tesco usually have deals on.

You can use an economy cycle if your dishes are not too dirty.

[Prudie]

^ heard of tannin. not tannin remover. I know I can get it off with bleach!

[ummmm]

Like Anne says...with others at home they are really handy especially when the boys seem to always be snacking.

[EDDIE51]

^ You definitely need Tannin remover, buy a bottle and try it. You will wonder how you ever managed without it.