How to Clean a Cloudy Dishwasher

Prevent dishwasher buildup with monthly cleanings.

Dishes come out of the dishwasher cloudy for one of two reasons: mineral buildup in the dishwasher from hard water or etching caused by soft water. Etching on dishes can only be prevented and not undone. However, if your dishes are cloudy from buildup, clean out your dishwasher, descale your dishes and start fresh. Clean the film out of your dishwasher on a monthly basis to prevent cloudiness from occurring.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cup
• White vinegar
• Chlorine bleach

Instructions

1. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the dishwasher and run it through a wash cycle. You only need it to go through one wash cycle to soften the residue on the dishwasher walls. No need to rinse.

2. Pour 1 cup of chlorine bleach into the dishwasher and let it run through a wash cycle. This will remove the buildup.

3. Rinse the dishwasher by running 1 cup of white vinegar through the rinse cycle. Your dishwasher is now ready to use as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub white vinegar straight on cloudy dishes to see if they come clean. If they do, the cloudiness is due to mineral buildup. If they stay cloudy, they are etched.

• Soak cloudy dishes in equal parts hot water and white vinegar for 30 minutes, and then scrub clean.

• If your water is softened, use less detergent than recommended, and air dry the dishes or dry them on a low heat cycle to prevent cloudiness due to etching.

References

• Clemson Extension; Glassware – Crystal Clear or Dull and Cloudy?; September 1990
• "Reader's Digest": 150 Uses for Household Vinegar
• "Good Housekeeping"; How to Clean Cloudy Glasses; Heloise