Cloudy Glasses and White Film in the Dishwasher: The Hard-Water Fix
Updated
Short answer
Film or etching?
GE distinguishes film, a mineral build-up that can be removed, from etching caused by too much detergent, which cannot (GE). Try the citric acid cycle first: if the cloudiness comes off, it was film.
GE's citric acid method
- Pour citric acid into the detergent cup and close the cover.
- Load the filmed, but otherwise clean, glassware and dishware. Leave silverware and other metal items out.
- Run a complete cycle without detergent.
Source: GE Appliances. GE also lists a dishwasher cleaner as an alternative.
Prevent it
- Keep the rinse aid dispenser full; GE says rinse aid makes water sheet off dishes and prevents spots (GE).
- Set the dishwasher's water hardness if it has the option; GE's SmartDispense models take it from a test strip (GE).
- Consider a water softener; GE recommends one for extremely hard water and says build-up can damage components over time (GE).
Your town's hardness is in the hardness table.
Quick answers
Why are my glasses cloudy from the dishwasher?
In hard-water areas, usually mineral film. GE says phosphate-free detergents make it more common, and a citric acid cycle removes it.
How do I remove dishwasher film?
GE: citric acid in the detergent cup, filmed glassware loaded, metal items out, a full cycle with no detergent. A dishwasher cleaner also works.
Rather have someone fix it?
Tell us the appliance, the brand, the model number and what it is doing. A local technician calls back with a time and a price before any work starts.