
Appearance
The glass has an overall cloudy appearance or there are milky striations in the glass after being washed in a dishwasher, normally after many cycles. The clouding cannot be removed even after an acid wash.
This is not cuased by a fault on your dishwasher
Usually the result of:
- Composition of the glass
- Long cycles at high temperature in your dishwasher
- Very soft water
- Exposure of glass to steam
- Leaving the glasses in the dishwasher after the program is complete
- Overdosing the dishwasher detergent
Cause & Prevention
Cause
The cloudiness, swirls or rings appear in areas of the glass that are under stress or have a different composition to the bulk glasses. These weaknesses have been attacked by the wash water which removes the metal ions from the glass structure.
Very soft water or phosphated detergents can increase the risk or permanent clouding when washed in your dishwasher.
Long cycles at high temperature or aggressive fanned drying will also increase the risk of this problem.
Treatment
There is no treatment when this happens. The damage is permanent and irreversible.
Prevention
Buy good quality “dishwasher safe” glass which is less likely to exhibit areas of stress and should be more uniform in their chemical composition.
Ensure that the water is not too soft. Check with your local water authority that the water is suitable for a dishwasher.
Do not add salt to the dishwasher if the tap water is very soft.
When possible wash glasses in low temperature, quick washes.
Open the dishwasher door as soon as possible after the completion of the cycle to allow the glasses to dry fully and cool.
How You Can Get Help With Dishwasher Problems
To offer support in helping people to determine the cause of dishwasher problems please use the dishwasher support forum.
It’s fast, free, easy and normally someone will pick up on the post that can assist you often with a few experts chipping in if needed. Just register if you don’t have an account, we don’t mail you, send you spam or any of that stuff.
Post up your question and give images if you possibly can and the guys in the forums will do the rest for you and try to identify the problem you have.
Cost you nothing, might save you some embarrassment or worse, a charge for a service visit that wasn’t needed.
Photographs Of Damage
If you can post photographs of the damage or problem you are having this can be really helpful in allowing the dishwasher technicians to see what the problem is.
The guys have the knowledge to assist with most problems but the more information you give them, the better they can help you.

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