Dull Surfaces on China - Dishwasher

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Possible Solution

Is the water turned on?

The water supply value must be completely open to wash and rinse the dishes properly.

Can the dullness be removed?

Try the following methods to see if the dullness can be removed, then following the below troubleshooting based on your findings.

Wash the item in a solution of warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water.
Clean the item with vinegar. Rinse with clean water.
Neither method removed the dullness.

Warm Soapy Water Removed Dullness

Was the correct amount of detergent used?

Do not use hand soap or laundry detergents. Use automatic dishwasher detergents only.

Using pre-measured dishwasher detergent tablets and pods have been proven better than powder, liquid or gel detergents to reduce filming on your dishes. By using these tablets and pods, over time this will start to reduce or eliminate white film. Also, by using a rinse aid you can minimize repeat build-up of white film.

If using a liquid or powder detergent try filling the dispenser half full and/or reduce the amount detergent being used.

Is the spray arm blocked?

A blocked spray arm can delay the detergent and soil removal. If the delay is too long, too much residue may remain in the wash cycle and the final rinse might not provide optimal performance.

How to check? Before starting the cycle, spin the middle spray arm by hand to confirm there are no items preventing it from freely spinning. If there is resistance rearrange the dishes.

Was the correct cycle selected?

Some soil levels and water conditions require a stronger/heavier cycle. While the soil sensor on the dishwasher will normally correct for these conditions, certain conditions can exist that it cannot compensate for. If the problem continues try using a stronger/heavier cycle.

Is the detergent door blocked or does it remain closed?
If water does not reach the dispenser, the detergent may be released late in the cycle and either cause dilution problems directly or indirectly by causing late soil removal. Before closing the dishwasher door and operating the cycle, confirm no dish load items are in contact with the dispenser. Also, don't overload the dispenser which could cause binding and impact dispenser opening. Follow the Owner's Manual for instructions on loading the dishwasher dispenser.

Were the dishes loaded correctly?

If water cannot easily reach all surfaces of the dish load, soils and detergent can be retained longer and impact dilution. Maintain good orientation and spacing of items to minimize shadowing and pooling of water.

CLICK HERE for more information on how to load dishes in the dishwasher correctly.

Vinegar Removed Dullness

Do you have hard water?

Hard water build-up is fairly common, especially within households on private wells that either don't have whole-house water softeners, or the softener is not working correctly. Not only does this build-up make items look bad, but an excessive build-up can also be harmful to the dishwasher as deposits can affect water flow and water heating. The targeted operating range for this dishwasher is less than 15 grains. Have the water that is supplied to the dishwasher tested and if necessary, install/adjust softener to the proper range.

Was the correct amount of detergent used?

Even if the water hardness is within the recommended range, the quality and quantity of detergent used can play a large role in the overall performance.
If problems persist even with water hardness that is within recommended parameters, try using a premium packet detergent to correct the problem. These higher-end packs generally have better water softening capability than lower-end varieties.

Do not use hand soap or laundry detergents. Use automatic dishwasher detergents only.

If using a liquid or powder detergent try filling the dispenser half full and/or reduce the amount detergent being used.

Does the dishwasher need to be cleaned?

Don’t just clean the dishes — take the time to ensure the dishwasher interior is clean too. When it’s time to clean the dishwasher, keep in mind the following cleaning tips for dishwashers.

Dishwashers should be cleaned approximately every 30 days for optimal performance. Using affresh^®Dishwasher Cleaner every month will help keep your dishwasher from filming and spotting, and the interior clean and free of odors.

Extremely hard water mineral deposits can cause damage to your dishwasher and make it difficult to achieve good cleaning. A water softener is strongly recommended if your water hardness is 15 grains or more.

Neither Method Worked

Most materials have a lifespan. Eventually, the strong chemical and thermal conditions of the dishwasher can wear off the smooth, shiny surface and leave behind an eroded or pitted one that will not reflect light like when it was new.

Some conditions can accelerate the wear and are as follows:

Excessively soft water. Detergents are designed to expect some water hardness to be present. If water is exceptionally soft and/or high amounts of strong detergents are used, the chemistry provided to address and impact the water hardness can instead impact and cause damage to the dish load or dishwasher itself. Test water hardness and ensure it is within the proper range.
Using too much detergent. If using powder or liquid detergents, don't overdose. Consider using premium detergent packets that typically have specific chemistry designed to minimize damage.
Poor quality glazing. Higher quality china will typically have better and longer-lasting glazing. Also, make sure that any china washed in the dishwasher is marked as dishwasher safe.
Long/hot cycles. If uncertain about the quality of items, try using quick, low-temperature cycles to minimize damage. It may be necessary to evaluate the trade-off between performance and damage if items are of very poor quality. Consider the use of premium detergent packets which usually have chemistry that is designed to minimize damage to the items washed in the dishwasher.