Glasses might not always come out crystal clean from the dishwasher.
Dishwashers will not only clean glasses but also leave them bright, polished and dry. In order to do this, the dishwasher needs to be working properly and you need to supply the right type of water and detergent. If the water is hard or if you use too much detergent, it will leave glasses dirty, etched, streaked or spotty. Troubleshoot these and other issues and you'll have clean glasses.
Hard Water
Hard water is water that contains a high amount of minerals. When the water dries, it leaves the minerals on a surface. This is most noticeable on clear glasses, which can look as if they are covered in a chalky substance. You can rinse the hard water residue off, although you might need to use a hard water remover to clean some glasses.
Fixing Hard Water Issue
Fix the hard water issue by installing a water softener in your home. Water softeners soften all of the water used in your home. If this is not a solution that will work for you, add one cup of white vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher before you start it. The acid in the white vinegar will counteract the hard water and help rinse it from the glasses.
Detergent Residue
Some dishwashers are not able to rinse the detergent residue from your glasses. If there is residue on the glasses it is likely that there is residue on flatware and silverware but it is not as visible. Detergent residue is left behind when water is too soft. Many detergents are designed for water that has some minerals in it. If you don't have these minerals, the detergent will not break down. This also can happen when the water in your home is not hot enough for the detergent to break down, or if you are using too much detergent.
Fixing Detergent Issue
Fix the detergent residue issue by determining which is the cause of the dishwasher problem. If your water is too soft, choose detergent designed for use with soft water. If the water isn't hot enough, raise the temperature of your water heater to between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the problem still isn't solved, try using less detergent.
Spotty Glasses
Glasses might come out of the dishwasher with water spots on them. This is a sign that the glasses air dried without heat. Fix this by using a rinse aid in the dishwasher. Rinse aids encourage the water to sheet off the glasses and help aid in the heat drying cycle.
Servicing
If your dishwasher is still not cleaning your glasses, consult a professional for a possible repair. Your machine might have a broken water pump or your water source might not be set up properly.
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