what could be making my dishwasher suddenly stop cleaning dishes properly?

[hereidrawtheline]

Same dishwashing tablets being used etc but for some reason this last week everything is coming out not quite clean. Before it was a super cleaner. What could be causing this & how can I fix it? Thanks!

[ClaireDeLoon]

Could the spray bits be blocked? I sometimes put a cleaner thing in mine on a hot wash.

[GentleOtter]

Do the dishwasher filter and gubbins nead cleaning? Hook them out and give them a good wash in really hot water with a little soda crystal solution added.

You can also buy dishwasher cleaners but I've never tried them.

[Ledodgy]

Does your salt thingie need refilling?

[ClaireDeLoon]

One of these I mean

[FaintlyMacabre]

Second ClaireDeLoon's advice re spray things. Take the spinny arms off and see if any of the tiny holes are blocked. We have found that unblocking them makes a huge difference.

[hereidrawtheline]

thank you I will look into all those things today - I dont know what a salt thingy is this is my first dishwasher and it was here when we moved in.

[FanjolinaJolie]

I gave my dishwasher a 'service' last month as nothing was coming out clean. We'd ha it eight years and I as ashamed to say I have never cleaned it properly

I bought Finish dishwasher cleaner which cleans and de-scales. You run it empty with just the cleaner on the hottest wash you have. It made a huge difference and looks new on the inside. It unclogged the spray arms which had limescale blocking the little holes.

Then I bought a box of dishwasher salt and filled up the reservoir (I had never used this before as I use all-in-one tabs) this has made a difference too. I have set the water hardness thingie to the right level as well.

My dishes have never been so clean and sparkly!!

[ChristieF]

I found that when we changed to supermarket own brand tablets there was a greasy smell on the dishes. Returned to Finish and lovely and clean. Much cheaper in shops like Home Bargain. Why are they so expensive? Buy Finish dishwasher cleaner every few months and clean the dishwasher out on a very hot wash. Fab.