If your dishwasher runs but the dishes come out gritty, filmy or still dirty, the problem is usually with water flow, spray, or the mineral scale that Northern Virginia's hard water leaves behind.
Why your dishwasher is not cleaning
- Hard-water scale — mineral buildup clogs the spray-arm holes and coats the heating element, common on our local water.
- Clogged or stuck spray arms — food debris blocks the jets or stops the arms spinning.
- Weak wash pump — low water pressure means dishes do not get scrubbed.
- Clogged filter — a dirty filter redeposits food onto the dishes.
What you can safely check first
- Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub and clear the spray-arm holes with a toothpick.
- Run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or white vinegar to cut mineral scale.
- Use a rinse aid — it dramatically reduces film and spotting on hard water.
When to call a technician
If cleaning the arms and descaling do not help, the wash pump or heating element may be failing. Our dishwasher repair technicians clear the scale at the source and repair the fault, and can advise on preventing it from returning.
Other dishwasher problems
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes — FAQs
Why are my dishes gritty after washing?
In our area it is very often hard-water scale clogging the spray arms and coating the heating element, or a dirty filter redepositing food. Descaling and cleaning the arms usually helps.
Does hard water really affect my dishwasher?
Yes. Northern Virginia's hard water leaves mineral scale that throttles the spray arms and dulls cleaning long before any part actually fails. A rinse aid and periodic descaling make a big difference.