Cloudy Glasses and White Film From Your Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer: Hard Water Fixes

Many Houston homes have hard water, and it leaves its mark on glasses, silverware and the inside of a dishwasher. Cloudy or filmy dishes do not always mean a part has failed.

Tell film from etching

Dip a cloudy glass in white vinegar for five minutes. If the cloudiness washes away, it is mineral film and you can fix it. If it stays, the glass has been etched and cannot be restored.

Adjust your routine

• Use the amount of detergent the label recommends for your water. Too much leaves residue; too little leaves minerals behind.
• Fill the rinse aid dispenser if your model has one, since it helps water sheet off glassware.
• Pick a cycle with a hot enough wash, and run hot water at the sink before starting.
• Do not overload either drawer, and keep items from nesting so water reaches every surface.

Clean the machine

• Pull out the filter and rinse it under running water.
• Wipe the spray arm holes with a soft brush or toothpick if they look clogged.
• Run an empty cycle with a dishwasher-safe cleaner, or follow the manual’s directions for descaling.

Consider water softening

If your whole house has very hard water, a softener or a water treatment service may help every appliance, not just the dishwasher.

When it is a repair issue

If dishes come out dirty as well as cloudy, water is not reaching a drawer, or the final rinse leaves puddles, a pump, a valve or a heating part may be involved. We can check each drawer and explain what we find.

See how a visit works on our dishwasher repair page, and look at the service area list for your neighborhood. You get a written price before we start, and repairs include a 30-day workmanship warranty.