White Film Inside A Dishwasher

Appearance

White spots or an overall white film is left on the interior of the dishwasher after the dishwasher wash cycle is completed. In particular, in the case of limescale, the element in white and may show signs of calcium build up on it.

The film is not readily soluble in water but will dissolve quickly when wiped with an acidic solution such as vinegar.

Parts of the inside of the machine are white, often accompanied by a "rainbow" effect and rubbing with vinegar does not affect it.

Usually the result of:

Limescale filming if the film can be removed with vinegar
Deposition of silica if the "white" film is permanent and there is iridesence.
Failure to add dishwasher salt to the salt container in the dishwasher

Cause & Prevention

Cause

Usually white film and filming is found to be calcium carbonate deposits caused by hard water. This can be attributed to poor water softening within the dishwasher because of a failure to use the dishwasher salt system correctly or by the salt setting not correctly adjusted for the water hardness level. Please note that in hard water areas salt can still be required even when using "all-in-one" tablet type detergents.

Detergents with high levels of disilicate can produce a white film which is impossible to remove. In such instances, silica in the wash solution chemically bonds to the inner surface of the dishwasher. This film is harmless.

Treatment

Limescale films can be removed by using a small amount of citric acid (ca 40g) whch you can get at most chemists, to the dishwasher soap dispenser and washing with the dishwasher empty.

Alternatively clean using commercial dishwasher cleaners, such as this one available in our store on a fairly regular basis to ensure optimum performance from your dishwasher. If there is already a white film then we would recommend using dishwasher descaler to remove the deposits and, where you are in a hard water area this may be required once a year or so.

Prevention

I hard water areas ensure that there is dishwasher salt in the salt container, even when using "all-in-one" tablets or detergent.

Check that the salt setting is correct in relation to your water hardness.

Use a good and correct phosphate containing detergent, we recommend Fairy Active Burst.