Dishwasher problems

[stonecircle]

Dishwasher hasn't been cleaning very well for a few weeks. Lately we've been getting that horrible white chalky covering on dishes. Yesterday I cleaned the filter, checked the water spouts were clear, topped up salt and rinse aid, switched to liquid cleaner, ran a very hot cycle with white vinegar - basically everything I could think of. Today it's worse than ever.

It's 6.5 years old and, with a family of 5 is on at least once a day. I'm wondering if anyone can think of anything else I can check and, given its age, if people think it's worth the expense of getting someone out to look at it. Not sure how long dishwashers typically last.

sponge the chalky deposit with vinegar. Does it fizz and wash off? Or does it clean off if you put the plates in the sink immersed in hot water?

Apart from yesterday, have you been keeping the salt reservoir topped up with salt granules? How often does it need filling?

How much limescale do you get in your kettle?

If you open the door mid-cycle, does hot steam billow out?

Yes, it comes off when I wash dishes with white vinegar. Have always topped up salt and rinsaid when lights come on but topped up anyway the other day just in case.

Water is hot. But we are in a very hard water area and limescale is an issue. We get loads in the kettle and build ups around taps, sinks etc.

Additional issue has been dishwasher not cleaning properly for last week or two - so chalky deposits, plus inside of mugs for example still stained brown or cereal bowls with bits still stuck on them. Pretty yucky!

The vinegar test suggests it is limescale. Unless your machine has a fault in the softener or the salt lid was loose, try adjusting the hardness setting. Older Bosch and similar machines may have a tiny blue dial inside the top left corner of the doorframe (kneel down to see it) but if you have lost the instructions you can probably download them from the makers website. The type, model and FD date code may be engraved on the top edge of the door.

IME a Bosch dishwasher lasts about 20 years. Other brands may vary.

In the event that the tablet compartment is not opening correctly, drop the tablet into the cutlery basket, and it will dissolve once the hot wash starts. This does not work with liquid detergents.

Some useful tips there thank you. Erm .... is the salt lid being loose likely to cause a problem? I did fill up the salt a week or two ago and too much went in so I couldn't screw the lid back on properly .....

if it is loose, water gets in and washes the salt away.

If overfilled, it helps to poke it down with your fingers, and pour some cold water round the screw so the lid can go on tightly (or run a rinse cycle then tighten the lid)