evilpettingz00 (evilpettingz00) wrote in naturalliving,
2009-04-20 07:58:00

How do I get rid of detergent residue on dishes?

My dishwasher is awful and is ruining my dishes by leaving lots of detergent residue on them.  I've tried different brands of eco-friendly dish detergent and rinsing agents, but I still get the same results.  The machine is just messed up.  Lately, I've been hand-washing my dishes to try to rescue them, but the residue is not coming off.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get a new machine soon because hand-washing uses more water. 

Anyway, what can I do to restore my dishes (including glasses and flatware)?
Tags: cookware/dishes, home: dishwashing
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  • 23 comments

norokrex

April 20 2009, 15:12:40 UTC 4 years ago

does it havea rinse agent container? if so fill it with vinegar

evilpettingz00

April 20 2009, 15:51:22 UTC 4 years ago

I'm not sure the rinse agent container is even working. I never saw any difference when I'd put a rinse agent in there. Could I soak the dishes in vinegar or would that ruin them?

norokrex

April 20 2009, 17:40:22 UTC 4 years ago

that would work, if they are delicate, you can also delute the vinigar.

if not you can add baking soda

evilpettingz00

April 21 2009, 17:12:42 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks!

4jinx_removing

April 21 2009, 02:19:58 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  April 21 2009, 02:21:44 UTC

It won't ruin them, I usually just pour some vinegar in with about a half a sink of hot water and some dish soap and soak mine when this happens. Either that or you can pour the vinegar straight into your dishwasher, about a cup or a little more should do it as a rinse aid, along with your regular detergent. I do this for about every load of glassware.

Vinegar will also help if you want to clean your dishwasher, just run a small container of it through your empty dishwasher. If your residue is really bad, you may need to take your racks out and scrub the entire inside with the vinegar, get all the chunky stuff out and then run it.

evilpettingz00

April 21 2009, 17:13:15 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you for the tips!

jblaque

April 20 2009, 15:30:46 UTC 4 years ago

CLR Kitchen & Bath Cleaner will strip the heavy soap scum off the dishes:

http://www.live-the-organic-life.com/calcium-lime-rust-remover.html

From there, I agree with the (white) vinegar suggestion to keep your dishes residue-free.

evilpettingz00

April 20 2009, 15:52:19 UTC 4 years ago

Ooh, thanks!

ziltopia

April 20 2009, 16:42:25 UTC 4 years ago

I have been putting white vinegar in the rinse part of my dishwasher and it does not seem to work for me (still have residue).

devious_angel3

April 20 2009, 16:28:54 UTC 4 years ago

after you get them stripped try using less detergent. I find a huge differnce when Dh runs it compared to when i run it, so i watched him one night and low and behold he was filling the soap compartment to the brim, where as i use a tbsp or two. My dishes come out much less gunky looking.

angelworks

April 20 2009, 16:48:35 UTC 4 years ago

I have this problem as well. In my case we have extremely hard water and it leaves calcium deposits due to heavy iron content.

I am trying a product called, Lemi-Shine, seems to work, one load down with it.

Seems it's mostly citric acid, going to try that next. Bought in bulk would be cheaper than Lemi-Shine.

evilpettingz00

April 21 2009, 17:12:01 UTC 4 years ago

I'll try that, thanks!

f1ymetothemoon

April 20 2009, 19:08:04 UTC 4 years ago

I'm suddenly having the same problem. All of my black and grey spatulas have turned white and look gross, and they won't come clean. I need to get a new machine, but can't afford it. I wonder if vinegar would get the white junk off? I'm going to try that.

f1ymetothemoon

April 20 2009, 19:09:27 UTC 4 years ago

Heh... replied before I read replies. Definitely trying vinegar now.

tough_as_petals

April 20 2009, 20:54:07 UTC 4 years ago

citric acid in the dw helps loads.

f1ymetothemoon

April 20 2009, 20:55:26 UTC 4 years ago

Where does one buy citric acid?

tough_as_petals

April 21 2009, 15:06:03 UTC 4 years ago

I usually buy mine at the health food store - it's used in cooking and baking as well. You can also get it at chain grocery stores, not sure what aisle though or a Wal-Mart or something similar if you don't have access to a health food store. Bulk food stores should have it as well. Good luck!

pollyhyper

April 21 2009, 15:21:37 UTC 4 years ago

It's not totally "natural" but you can also use unsweetened lemonade kool aid mix - it's basically citric acid.

evilpettingz00

April 21 2009, 17:14:07 UTC 4 years ago

How about lemon juice? I have a lot of that right now.

pollyhyper

April 21 2009, 18:08:07 UTC 4 years ago

I don't see why not!

f1ymetothemoon

April 21 2009, 19:26:35 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks :)

pollyhyper

April 21 2009, 14:36:34 UTC 4 years ago

We have minerals in our water that leave marks on the dishes, particular the insides of the glasses. I mix a washbasin full of hot water plus Borax and let them soak in it, and it all comes off.

evilpettingz00

April 21 2009, 17:14:32 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks for the tip!