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DW tablets for v hard water/limescale

8 replies

DoloresODonovan · 03/02/2025 07:34

recommendations please

I keep the dishwasher clean and swish out the arms regularly
although we always rinse before we stack

we are currently using Fairy all in one capsules, which don’t leave
glassware as sparkly as they used to
we moved here from a soft water area, the difference is astonishing
yesterday I used 2 tablets and the machine was filled with foam so
wont do that again
We are nowhere near an Aldi or Lidl

If there is anyone who has succesfully overcome this problem I would
be pleased to hear your advice, tia

OP posts:
IndependentAdjudicator · 03/02/2025 07:40

You need to add dishwasher salt. There should be a reservoir at the bottom of your machine.
We live in one of the hardest limescale areas of the UK.
I go all in and use dishwasher salt, rinse and the all in one tablets 😅
Also clean out the filter regularly too.

dementedpixie · 03/02/2025 07:44

I use salt and rinse aid as well as all in one tablets. Scrape but don't rinse items as the detergent needs something to work on.
Clean out filter periodically too

NotbloodyGivingupYet · 03/02/2025 07:49

Dishwasher salt. Good quality detergent (I use fairy) Good quality rinse aid (finish, Waitrose own is ok). Regular use of a dishwasher cleaner; - one of those cleaning tabs that you put on the dishwasher floor (buy them in blister pack of three)
Or one of those little bottles that you turn upside down and stick into the prongs.
Regular cleaning of the filter. 🤢

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/02/2025 07:57

You need to find the hardness level of your water from your water company and then set your machine according to the instructions and fill with salt.

DoloresODonovan · 03/02/2025 08:33

thanks for all your speedy replies -

we do all this already, we know its a hard water area of Thames Water

this dw is 6 years old now - it looks like new inside but the results are
increasingly disappointing

we use different tablets, capsules, liquid, salt, rinse aid every purchase,
whatever Waitrose have on offer,
the rotary arms still spin and the holes are clear and unblocked,
we use a variety of settings to suit and a cleaner once a month

the lower arm doesn’t reach too high though, as in one small deep
Prestige pan never looks as though it has seen water, requiring hand washing

the dw is never overloaded, which apparently is usually the cause of poor results

what is the average life on a dw before it begins to fade away and
become less efficient

the whole point of a dishwasher is to perform more efficiently than by hand

my OH opines that we are flogging a dead horse and should replace it which I
am resisting

Look out next for my requesting recommended dishwashers as reading this ^
I’m now wondering if I’m not answering my own question…

OP posts:
NotbloodyGivingupYet · 03/02/2025 08:37

Are you cleaning the filter, are you sure the rotor arms are rotating freely? If I get an unwashed looking item, it's because something was getting in the way of the rotor arm. (Ladle poking through from the top rack or something a bit too tall in the bottom rack)

SleepingisanArt · 03/02/2025 08:52

If you own your home the best money you will ever spend is to have a proper water softener fitted. We have a Harvey's which uses block salt. We save an absolute fortune on cleaning products, soap, shampoo, washing powder, etc. I put salt in the dishwasher once a year (the manufacturer still recommends it even though the machine barely uses any) and it works perfectly using the bog standard own brand dishwasher tablets from morrisons.

Bluevelvetsofa · 03/02/2025 09:00

I’ll second a water softener. It makes such a difference.

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