I own a whirlpool DU920PWKQ0 dishwasher and every time I run the dishwasher it leaves a signifigant amount milky streaks and white powdery residue on everything (all the dishes and parts on the bottom of the dishwasher). There is also a visble residue on the heating element. (see photos)

I thought that this was just deposits built up over time (the dishwasther is 4 years old) so I tried running the dishwasher 5 or 6 times, empty, with vineger, but it didnt help. I also tried using a 1/2 cup of CLR with an empty wash several times but the deposits continue. I also ran the dishwasher empty, with no soap about a dozen times to try and give all the residue a chance to cycle out of the dishwasher but that didn't help.

I also thought that perhaps my water was hard and that the hot water supply was supplying the deposits so I took off the screen of all my sink spouts in the house and all of them were clean.. no calcium deposits or residue. I have not pulled the actual water supply lead to the dishwasher to look for residue, but I doubt it would have residue when the sink 2 feet away that feeds from the same hot water supply does not.

I also read that some detergents are more prone to leaving residue so I tried 3 or 4 different brands. no change. I do have rinse aid in the dishwasher, but I think this is beyond help from rinse aid.

This residue problem slowly built up over the last 6 months, and did not exist prior. The dishwasher is heating the water appropriately, does not appear to have food clogging it (it fills and drains fine) but maybe there is something deeper in the machine I should check. It also seems to have the appropriate amount of water in it when it is running (water fills just below the float level). The float also works (moves freely). Everything seems mechanically sound but maybe I am missing something?

Ay ideas? (the pics below show the type of residue that ends up on all the dishes and the dishwasher)

Hi,

Yes, thats built-up pretty good.

This is the best product to get for this issue:
A great Dishwasher cleaner to get rid of hard water and mineral deposits in the dishwasher:
Citric acid- mineral deposit remover


Jake

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Thanks for the advice.. I'll give that magic powder a try .


Just had a thought however.... I have a water heater that is always popping as the burner turns on, which is a sign that I have a lot of build up (calcium I believe) on the bottom of the water heater. I'm wondering if this is leaving a lot of disolved solids in my water. If that is the case, the disolved solids would make it into my dishwasher and then when the dishwasher goes through many cycles, the heat would eventually evaporate a lot of the H20 leaving the solids to slowly accumulate.

This would explain why I dont' have any build up in the screens of my faucets, but I have so much build up in the dishwasher. I should of course deal with the water heater issue but i wonder if an inline filter on the dishwasher water supply would help out?

No, don't put a inline filter before the dishwasher.

How old is your water heater?

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

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My water heater is about 4 1/2 years old. It has been "popping" a lot so I'm sure there is residue at the bottom which I think is residue building up.

Most water heaters sold within the last 5 yrs. or so are self-cleaning, unless you have just a basic water heater with no self-cleaning feature.

Does yours say on it self-cleaning?

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

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Nope.. It does not say "Self Cleaning" on it anywhere.

Ok, then its likely just a basic water heater.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

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Earlier you indicated that putting an in-line filter in the dishwasher water line was not a good idea.. why is this something that should not be done?

Because it can clog-up very often and be a nuisance.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances