A full wash cycle should leave dishes spotless. When they come out cloudy, gritty, or still greasy, it's easy to assume the machine is failing — but in most cases the cause is something specific and fixable. Here's how to work through the most common culprits.
1. A Clogged Spray Arm
The spray arms have small holes that shoot water at your dishes. Food particles, especially from things like rice or seeds, can lodge in these holes and reduce water pressure to just part of the load. Pull the arm out and check each hole with a toothpick.
2. Hard Water Buildup
If glasses come out cloudy or there's a white film on dishes, mineral deposits from hard water are almost always the cause. A vinegar rinse cycle or a dishwasher-safe descaler run monthly can prevent this from building up.
3. A Dirty Filter
Most dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub that traps food debris. If it isn't cleaned regularly, that debris gets redistributed onto your dishes during the next cycle instead of draining away.
Quick check: Remove and rinse the bottom filter under running water, then wipe down the spray arm holes — this resolves the majority of cleaning complaints we see.
4. Using the Wrong Detergent or Too Little of It
Older detergent that's clumped from humidity won't dissolve properly, and pods left in a damp dispenser can lose effectiveness over time. Try a fresh box or pod before assuming a mechanical issue.
5. Overloading the Dishwasher
When dishes are packed too tightly, water and detergent can't reach every surface. Nesting bowls or blocking the spray arm's rotation with a tall pan are common overlooked causes.
6. A Failing Water Inlet Valve or Wash Pump
If the tub isn't filling with enough water, or the wash pump motor is losing power, no amount of cleaning or reloading will fix the problem. This is where a professional diagnostic becomes worth it, since these parts require disassembly to inspect and replace.
Tried cleaning the filter and spray arm but dishes are still coming out dirty? It may be a mechanical issue.
See Dishwasher Repair Call (313) 774-8293When to Call a Technician
Cleaning the filter, checking the spray arm, and running a vinegar cycle are all safe to try yourself and solve most complaints. If you've done all three and dishes are still coming out dirty, the wash pump or a water supply issue is the likely cause, and that's a job for a technician with the right diagnostic tools.