Guide to Removing Lime Buildup in Dishwashers

Scaly white scuffs and marks on your dishes and inside of your dishwasher can be a hassle, but luckily there are many ways to treat the lime buildup that causes the problem. In Australia, our tap water quality is quite good, so it’s likely that you’ve only had this occur a handful of times. Depending on where you live and the condition of the water, however, this may be a common occurrence that may necessitate more extreme measures to deal with appropriately.

Here’s what you can do if you’ve got lime buildup in your dishwasher:

Causes of Lime Buildup

Lime buildup is common in areas where heavy mineral deposits leach into potable water sources. Calcium, magnesium, copper, and iron can all work their way into water sources, which can leave a chalky white residue from calcium carbonate on your faucets, dishwasher, and then onto your dishes thus removing their sparkly shine.

Failure to remove chalky buildup creates more than an eyesore, however. By leaving lime buildup in your dishwasher, it needs to work harder to clean your dishes, wearing out the machine by as much as 30x its normal rate of wear and tear.

Commercial Products

There are plenty of commercially-sold dishwasher lime buildup removal products that are safe and ideal for treating the existing lime buildup within your dishwasher. The good news is that these products may work wonders now, but the bad news is that they may not solve the problem at its source.

If you’re experiencing consistent problems with lime buildup, the problem may be resolved with water softeners. Contact a plumber to learn more about your options.

Natural Lime Removers

You may have heard that white vinegar works wonders for seemingly thousands of household cleaning applications, and it’s certainly a great way to deal with lime buildups as well. When mixed with baking soda, white vinegar creates a chemical reaction that can eat away at the lime and remove the white spots.

Mix the two together and apply throughout the dishwasher’s interior. Remove all racks to ensure that the entire interior is thoroughly covered, then run an empty load. It’s possible that more than one empty load will need to be run to do the trick, but generally, vinegar and baking soda will treat the residue quite well.

Cleaning and Maintenance

A good way to ensure that sufficient water flow is available when the dishwasher is in operation is to remove obstructions from the filter found at the bottom of the dishwasher.

Start by removing the racks and locate the dishwasher filter. Some dishwasher models require screws or pliers to remove the filter whilst others can simply be removed by hand. Avoid using steel wool or other harsh brushes and instead use an old toothbrush to wipe away any grease or residue that may be preventing fresh water from circulating in the machine.

Have Your Dishwasher Repaired Professionally

The best way to keep your dishwasher in great operating condition is to contact a reputable domestic appliance repair company near you. With proper repairs, dishwashers can last for years to come and save time and money involved with buying a new model earlier than anticipated.

Domestic Appliance Repair

If your dishwasher is experiencing problems, it’s better to deal with the problem sooner rather than later. Contact Domestic Appliance Repair today to learn more about our dishwasher repair and maintenance solutions.

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