Powdery limescale type substance

[kirkie]

I have noticed recently that my dishwasher is starting to leave like a grey powdery limescale type substance over my dishes etc.

I use fairy all in one tablets and clean the dishwasher once a month with Finish.

I have no idea why it has started to do this.

I have looked HERE but can’t see my fault.

[clivejameson]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

Firstly establish it is limescale by wiping it away with vinegar or lemon juice. If it readily dissolves that would prove it…let us know how this goes?

[kirkie]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

I have just wiped a bit that is on the bottom of the dishwasher with vinegar. It disappears, but then comes straight back… :rolls:

I have never used salt or rinse aid as I thought the tablets I bought were like an all in one…

[clivejameson]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

…and are you in a hard water area?

[kirkie]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

I live in East Yorkshire so yes….

[clivejameson]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

we’re down in the Chiltern hills here which are basically solid chalk so the water here is pretty hard and using the combi-tabs just isn’t sufficient for a perfect wash result. I suspect you may have the same issue so the best thing to do is run a descaler through (just follow the instructions on the package) which you can get here

Then buy some quality dishwasher salt such as Finish and fill the softener, the problem should then disappear!

[kirkie]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

I will give that a try. Cheers

[spimps]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

Start using salt and conditioner straight away,things should improve after 5 washes or so.Go back to your instructions and check how to set up your water softener on your machine for your area hardness. When you fill up with granular salt(not table) it will take a pint and a half every 2 to weeks.
You could use a dishwasher descaler available at most supermarkets to help things along but forget these 3 in one they are pretty useless and whilst giving a poor wash they are also ageing your machine a little too quickly 🙁 .
Some glasses get beyond redemption by the way.

[kirkie]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

In your opinion then what is the best dishwasher tablet to buy then?

[spimps]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

For me the most important items are the salt and rinse aid,you can then get good results with own brand tablets although finish etc will be the best.
The salt protects the mechanical side of the machine as well as ensuring you get a good finish on the crocks,rinse aid gives the sparkle to the glasses without any streaks
Ifa machine is looked after well ie salted regularly it ill always look like new and glasses etc will be the same.
BG

[superfix]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

kirkie wrote:In your opinion then what is the best dishwasher tablet to buy then?

There isn’t. Seperate detergent, rinse aid and salt is the best option.

The 3 in 1 tabs just don’t do what they’re supposed to.

[Penguin45]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

THIS is interesting reading.

Penguin45.

[kirkie]

Cheers… Might be a strange question, but I have just looked at were I put the salt and it is full of water. Is that normal?

[Simon46]

Re: Powdery limescale type substance

Yes.

S.

[spimps]

kirkie wrote:Cheers… Might be a strange question, but I have just looked at were I put the salt and it is full of water. Is that normal?

Fill it with salt so that the salt is up to the rim.

[Author]

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