Dishwasher producing poor cleaning results
A dishwasher repair is required if your dishwasher is producing poor cleaning results. This could be one of three issues; a problem with the spray arms, an issue with loading, or the filter.
Let’s take a look at how to solve an issue with the Spray arms:
1. Safety first – Always turn off the dishwasher before starting any work.
2. Check for dishes stopping the arms from spinning.
A common issue is the arms getting jammed by obstructing plates and dishes. If the arms can’t physically spin then they can’t produce optimum results. Start by working out which plates can safely be used in the dishwasher.
3. Check if your spray arms are blocked.
The holes in the spray arms could be blocked making the spray arms less effective at cleaning the load. You can give these a clean by soaking the arms in white wine vinegar or by using a wire to clear them out.
4. Check if your spray arms are damaged
Look out for any cracks, bends or weaknesses in the arms as this could be the reason for an uneven spray. If the spray arms on your dishwasher have become damaged, we would advise replacing these with new ones to keep the dishwasher cleaning effectively.
If the issue doesn’t lie with the spray arms, it could be down to how you’re loading your dishwasher. We would suggest having a read of your dishwasher manual as this gives each user a guide to dishwasher loading.
The final issue could be with the filter. Please see the about tips on what to do if your dishwasher doesn’t drain properly. Following these tips will help to resolve any issues with your dishwasher filter which could be the issue of why you’re not getting the best results from your dishwasher.
If none of the above has helped with your poor cleaning results, call our team of professionals who will come and repair your dishwasher or book a repair online.
The dishwasher does not drain
This is a common fault with dishwashers and one which is usually resolved at home. Our dishwasher repair expert has put together some simple steps to follow should this problem arise:
1. Safety first – Always turn off the dishwasher before starting any work.
2. Give the filters a good clean.
We would suggest removing the filters first so you can clear any blockages and give the filters a good scrub in warm soapy water. You might also need to replace your filter depending on how long it’s been in use.
For those wondering you’ll be able to find the filter at the bottom of your machine and it’s recommended to clean your filters every week.
3. Check the waste hose.
If cleaning the filters out didn’t work, your next step is moving to the waste hose. This can be found at the back of the machine. If you’ve got an integrated machine, this can be much tricker therefore, we’d recommend giving us a call to book a repair.
However, if your machine is free-standing, you’ll want to pull the machine forward to check if the pipe is squashed or kinked due to lack of space.
4. Check the sink waste.
In some households the dishwasher’s waste pipe is connected to the sink waste, it’s common for this to get blocked. We’d advise giving the sink waste a good clean out using Caustic soda or baking soda and vinegar, always follow either of these methods with plenty of boiling hot water.
If none of the above tips worked for you then it’s time to call our team of professionals in to finish your dishwasher repair.
The machine produces an unpleasant odour
An unpleasant odour coming from your dishwasher isn’t what you want hanging around. There are a couple of reasons this could be happening; one being a build-up of food waste and the other being stagnant water. Please see below steps to undertake in order to stop the unpleasant odour:
1. Safety first – Always turn off the dishwasher before starting any work.
2. Give the filters and waste pipes a good clean.
Please see the above tips for what to do if your dishwasher doesn’t drain properly. These tips will take you through how to clean out for filters and waste pipes to remove accumulated food particles and prevent a blocked waste pipe.
3. Your waste pipe could be too low.
Having your waste pipe too low can cause a backflow of water meaning all of the dirty water sits in the bottom of your dishwasher causing it to smell. To prevent this you need to elevate the pipe so it’s above the waste exit. For integrated dishwashers, this might not be possible without the help of our professional engineers. Head over to our book a repair form to get your dishwasher fixed.
4. Your dishwasher door hasn’t been opened recently.
If you don’t run your machine regularly then your dishwasher can grow mould and bacteria. It’s important to run a clean or hot wash every month, this will remove any dirt and maintain the machine. We would also advise keeping the dishwasher door cracked open slightly when not in use as this allows the air in the dishwasher to dry preventing any stale smells.
Dishwasher tablets aren’t performing properly
Another common issue we face stems from the type of dishwasher tablet used, this is not a dishwasher fault. You need to choose a dishwasher tablet that’s going to perform in a variety of conditions such as short cycles or cool washes. However, dishwasher tablets may fail for a number of reasons such as:
1. The tablet collecting tray being blocked.
Ensure your tray isn’t being blocked by a dish or handle.
2. Damage to the dishwasher spray arms.
This will stop the cleansing ability of the tablet. See the above steps on how to check if your dishwasher spray arms are damaged. This can be found in step 4 of the Dishwasher producing poor cleaning results issue.
3. Dishwasher water is insufficiently filling or heating.
If you have tried the below steps then this issue will need to be resolved by an engineer. Book one of our skilled and customer-focused dishwasher repair team here.
If the issue lies with your dishwasher tablet then you’ll notice pieces of your dishwasher tablet leftover and an insufficient clean happening. This is common in solid formed dishwasher tablets which are slow dissolving and don’t perform properly in temperatures under 60°C. We would advise you to run a hot 70°C cycle with some dishwasher cleaner to determine if it’s your dishwasher tablets causing a build-up or if it’s another deep-rooted issue with your machine.
We would recommend the Fairy Platinum or the Finish Quantum Ultimate Dishwasher Tabs because the Finish Quantum tabs are fast dissolving, perform an effective clean even on an eco-cycle and they’re 100% biodegradable. In addition to this, the Fairy Platinum tablets are encased in an ultra soluble pouch which dissolves much faster than hard-pressed tablets.
Dishwashers need to be maintained and regularly cleaned to ensure you achieve the best cleaning results. If you’ve followed all of the suggested steps and your dishwasher issue is still there, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts. We’ll happily come out and fix your machine – We fix 99% of faults on our first visit, and there is no additional charge if a further visit is required. Additionally, if it’s time to change your machine, we’ll talk you through what machine would suit your lifestyle best.
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Service Areas
Our engineers perform appliance repairs across central England including Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Birmingham, and Oxfordshire. You can see a full list of counties we service on our coverage page. Alternatively, view the map below.
The easiest way to see if there are engineers in your area, and to check if we support your brand of appliance, is to fill out the online booking. It only takes a few seconds and the form will automatically tell you if your area and appliance is covered.
Repairs can be booked online or over the phone by calling 0330 205 0220.
