Dishwasher not cleaning. Help!

[40somethingJBJ]

For the last couple of weeks, things have been coming out of the dishwasher dirtier than they are going in. I can run it empty bar a few clean glasses and they come out gritty, so there’s definitely a problem somewhere! I’ve run a cleaner through it, filters are empty, arms don’t seem to be clogged etc. Any suggestions, or do I need to get it looked at? Thanks :)

Have you filled up the salt and rinse aid?

Is everything coming out dirty or e.g. just stuff on the top?

Is the top basket properly connecting with the water inlet at the back?

I was also going to suggest salt and rinse aid.

How are they spinny arms? Have you checked for blockages?

Oh sorry, you said about arms

Run it on empty on the longest hottest programme. Pull all the removable filter bits out and give them a good rinse. Try one of those dishwasher cleaning products maybe ?

Salt and rinse aid are fine. I’ve run it on the hottest with a dishwasher cleaner twice now. It’s everything that’s coming out dirty.

My Bosch engineer told me that the grit is usually caused by the type of dishwasher tablet you use. Since I switched to Fairy Platinum (the liquid type tabs) I've not had a grit issue. I was using SMOL or Aldi beforehand, and grit was a huge issue. Changing tablets has made a huge difference.

I was going to say salt/rinse aid too.

No idea now!

Are the pipes blocked?

Ooh I don’t know about the pipes - how would I check that?

I’ve been using Finish tablets recently. Before that it was Aldi ones. It seems to have got worse since the swap to Finish to be honest! I’ve just run it with 4 glasses in and nothing else. They all have good residue on them, yet there was nothing in there with food on. I’m really confused!

What program are you using? I find if I use the quick cycle for a few days, I start getting buildup on the dishes. Then I run a normal hot cycle and it seems to help.

Have you cleaned the runners that the top tray(s) sit on? Mine get crud on them

Have you any water backing up into the filter? If left a day or two after last cycle does water overflow into dishwasher?
Have same problem myself at the moment plus above problem , waiting for plumber to call but it's like getting blood from a stone at moment they are so busy apparently, he told me on phone sounds like filter is not draining and would cause bits etc

I have this happen all the time and usually do a really good scrub of all the filters with a dish brush, remove the arms and wash them out and then run it through a long cycle with 2 tablets and it seems to fix it.

I’ve used every programme the last few weeks to try and sort it, plus two of the longest hottest cycles with cleaner in. I’ve taken every removable bit off this afternoon and scrubbed it all. Not an ounce of dirt anywhere. Put a cycle on and everything is covered in crud again. I think I’m going to need a repairman!

It sounds like you've done everything and may need someone to look at it. Interesting to see you changed to finish though. I bought Finish instead of my usual Lidl tablets and had lots of problems with dishes not being clean. Went back to Lidl and fine again.

Hmm... I might try my old brand again. Only bought Finish as I was t going near an Aldi so thought they would do the job. Hate the smell of them as well to be honest!

Just an update - I bought some of Aldi’s own brand 3 in 1 tablets on Friday and my dishwasher is washing again quite happily! Clearly functions better with cheap and cheerful