Please help I'm about to kill my dishwasher!!!

[toffeeapple]

My dishwasher is going wrong (again), and I'm sick and tired of paying for the repairs.
I think I'm going to go back to basics (like the woman in "Victorian farm" and wash up by hand from now on.
Last time I said that it didn't last very long before I phoned the repairer, but this time I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!
Plus it seems to be a very minor problem: tablet won't disolve and things don't get washed. I tried putting the tablet in the cutlery basket and it's the same, and everything has come out with a layer of what looks like limescale on it.
I've got to wash it all by hand again and I'm really ready to say goodbye to my dishwasher.
I've already called the Hotpoint helpline to see if they could advise me over the phone but the girl said: "It sounds like you've got a heating problem" and tried to sell me her 12months cover.
So what do I do?
P.S: It's only 2 years old.

[Geepers]

are all the arms and filters free of debris?

[toffeeapple]

actually the arms have little holes in them which look like they have particules of limescale in them. But why would that affect the tablet dispenser?

[SoupDragon]

I wonder if the water is getting hot enough.

[AMumInScotlandsAMumForAThat]

Does it feel hot when it's running? Or the dishes feel hot after it's run? It could well be that the heating element is not working - the tablet won't dissolve in cold water.

[toffeeapple]

I don't know about when it's running but the dishes are certainly hot when it's finish. Definately hot.
I've just rewashed everything by hand and everything is still blurry, even though I bought some distilled vinegar in the washing up water.

[Geepers]

You need to clean all the hole on the arms so water runs freely. I bet not enough water if getting through.

[Sidge]

Take the rotating arm off and clean and descale it. That's where the water sprays from and if it's clogged the water won't come out, and so the tablet won't dissolve.

The arm usually has a plastic collar which twists so you can take the arm off. Poke something into the holes to dislodge the scale and bits of food, then pour liquid descaler in and leave for a while. Rinse out with very hot water.

[toffeeapple]

Oh I see, thank you, and is that why the tablet doesn't melt?
Can I take the arms off to clean them?

[toffeeapple]

Sorry Sidge I got your message afterwards. Thank you I love you all I feel this is going to work.
I will do that as soon as I've put baby to bed. Thank you all again!!!

[nannyL]

is it a hotpoint?

thats exactly what the hotpoint at my old work did...

it was so annoying and we would often do 3 super cycles in a row trying to get it clean...

engineers came out loads and couldnt find any problem

in the end they replaced it with a john lewis one which works perfectly and actually washes the dishes

[toffeeapple]

Oh no you're joking!!
I've just taken the spraying arms off and cleaned them, and I'm now hoping it will work.
I'm scared to try and it's another problem.
I'll tell you what I love John Lewis, their stuff is great, and their staff actually know what they're talking about.
In fact I've just bought some saucepans from them (their own brand) and so far, they are Brilliant.
I haven't put them in the dishwasher yet

[nannyL]

am completely seriosue

I remember my bosses removing those arms and cleaning them too and trying powder, liquid etc, but the dishwasher simply didnt work and were all so fed up (dishwasher turned on after breakfast was still not finished at tea) that they gave up and replaced it

[toffeeapple]

IT WORKED IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Herbietea for your reassurance, I've tried it one and miracle: the tablet disolved!!
Fingers crossed for future cycles!!
Thank you everyone!!
People on mumsnet know EVERYTHING! It's great, even my husband is impressed!

[Sidge]

Hurray!

Glad it worked, you are free of the hell that is washing up now

[Geepers]

toffeeapple, I am pleased you are so happy, but wasn't it fairly obvious that if the holes are blocked, then water can't get out, and if there isn't enough water then the tablet won't disolve?

I'm no scientist, by the way... ;)

[toffeeapple]

Geepers, thank you for that last comment, extremely useful, I especially like the patronizing tone.
In answer to your question, yes, I suppose it is obvious, looking back, but it wasn't at the time.
If one found the answer to everything by oneself everytime, there wouldn't be any point in this website, would there?
I thank you again.

[MadameCastafiore]

toffeeapple - make sure you use a descaling tablet in it every so often or one of those dishwasher cleaners - they really do help.

Run empty of course!

[BlueCowBackToWondering]

my story EXACTLY the same as NannyL - even the brands and the time scales.

And the new one has a light in it (I'm easily pleased). And it actually works.

[toffeeapple]

MC: Are those tablets especially for dishwashers? What I'm wondering is, I've recently changed my dishwasher tablets from TESCO's 5 in one, to Lidl 5 in one, which are a lot cheaper. I've been using them for about 2 months, they seem to wash fine but do you think they could have created more limescale?

[Geepers]

toffeeapple, I was just teasing, hence the wink at the end. I'm sorry I offended you, it wasn't meant to upset you.

MN is a minefield of having to watch what I type today.

[toffeeapple]

No no, not at all, it's just hard to judge the tone sometimes when you read something as opposed to when you speak to someone face to face.
Now that I read it again, I can see the funny side.
Basically: I'm thick!!