Straighten and evenly space dishes on the racks for a thorough cleansing.
Traditional detergents have included phosphates, which helped to thoroughly remove stains from dishes in automatic dishwashers. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 created sweeping regulations that limited the use of phosphates in dishwasher detergents and other household cleaners. These chemicals harm the environment, both flora and fauna, and water treatment plants have difficulty removing phosphates from the wastewater. Use alternative methods to clear up filming in the dishwasher.
Detergent Alternatives
Film on dishes has become a common issue in many households with the requirement to make phosphate-free dishwasher detergents. The remaining or newer ingredients may be ineffective against filming on dishes, especially in areas with hard water. Alternatively, purchase dishwasher "tablets" or "pacs," which have added ingredients to reduce filming in automatic dishwashers.
Water Conditioning
Many American homes have a hard water problem; rinse aids prevent mineral deposits from forming a film on the dishes in the dishwasher. You can also increase the amount of rinse aid released during cycles by turning the built-in dial on the dispenser in the door. Additionally, some modern dishwashers have built-in water softeners that add special salt to the wash-water. Many high-tech dishwashers have sensors that detect the level of food and dirt in the water and increase the cycle time for an especially dirty load of dishes. Refer to the "Features" section of your dishwasher's instruction manual if you are unsure whether there is a water conditioning system that you can use to reduce film on your dishes.
Citric Acid
The organic compound citric acid, which is found in many of the fruits we eat, is a weak acid that's safe to consume. But it is strong enough to help reduce film on your dishes. Citric acid products are found on the same supermarket aisle as dishwasher detergents and rinse aids. Follow the instructions on the bottle to thoroughly clean your dishwasher. Incidentally, if you want to proactively support the environmental movement, citric acid is generally considered an eco-friendly chemical.
Boost Water Temperature
Many households have young and vulnerable family members. For safety, the water heater is set at a relatively low, but reasonable temperature of about 120 degrees Fahrenheit; water boils at 212 degrees. However, you can't ignore the heat component when it comes to cleaning dishes. Most manufacturers design dishwashers to start the cycle only after the water temperature surpasses that 120-degree threshold. Use a waterproof thermometer to measure the temperature of the water at your kitchen sink. If it isn't hot enough, read your water heater's user manual to learn safely increase the temperature. Alternatively, select the "High-Temperature" cycle on the dishwasher, if available, as another way of boosting the cleaning abilities of water.
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