Dishwashers are a convenient household appliance used by many to clean dishes efficiently. While dishwashers provide an easy way to keep dishes clean, there are some potential side effects to be aware of when using a dishwasher regularly.
Skin Irritation
One of the most common side effects of using a dishwasher is skin irritation. The hot water, strong detergents, and prolonged exposure to moisture can cause drying, cracking, and irritation of the skin on the hands. People with sensitive skin are most prone to experiencing dishwasher-related skin issues.
Signs of skin irritation from the dishwasher include:
- Redness
- Itching or burning sensation
- Dry, cracked skin
- Rash
- Sores or blisters
Wearing rubber gloves while loading and unloading the dishwasher can help protect the skin from excess moisture. Using a gentle, fragrance-free dish soap and the coolest effective wash cycle can also minimize skin irritation.
Damaged Dishes and Glassware
The high heat and harsh detergents in dishwashers can damage some dishware over time. Delicate items like antique dishes, crystal glassware, decorated china, and gold-rimmed dishes are especially vulnerable. The repetitive hot washing can cause the glaze, paint, or gold edging to gradually wear away or crack. Vibrations from the dishwasher can also cause chipping or scratching.
To help avoid dish and glassware damage:
- Use the lowest effective wash temperature possible
- Allow dishes to completely cool before unloading to prevent cracking
- Use gentle wash cycles for delicate items
- Separate or hand wash particularly fragile dishware
- Use a dishwasher basket or rack padding to cushion dishes
Motor and Drain Problems
Common mechanical issues with dishwashers include clogged or leaky drain lines, faulty motors, and control panel malfunctions. Food particles, grease, and hard water deposits can build up in the drain hose and pump over time. This can lead to water not draining properly from the dishwasher.
The motor in a dishwasher operates the pump to spray water during the wash cycle. Motors can overheat, leak, seize up, or lose power. Control panels can short circuit or buttons can stop working properly due to moisture damage.
Signs of motor or drainage problems include:
- Water pooling in the bottom of the dishwasher
- Failure to complete cycles
- Noise issues like humming or grinding
- Buttons or controls not responding
Having a dishwasher professionally serviced once a year can help catch issues before major repairs are needed. Checking and cleaning the drain filter periodically helps keep the pump debris-free.
Musty Smells
The moist, enclosed environment inside a dishwasher can lead to unpleasant odors over time. Food debris trapped in the filter or spray arms can rot and create a musty smell. Mold and mildew can also build up, especially on rubber gaskets and interior surfaces.
Preventing odors inside your dishwasher involves:
- Frequently running rinse or sanitizing cycles
- Cleaning the filter, jets, and interior as needed
- Keeping the door cracked open between washes
- Using rinse aid to prevent residue buildup
- Running vinegar rinses to kill bacteria
If odors persist, a deep clean of the dishwasher using bleach, vinegar, or a commercial cleaning product may be required.
Leaking Water
Dishwasher leaks are a common problem and can quickly cause damage if left unaddressed. Typical causes of water leaks include:
- Worn or cracked door seals
- Failure of supply line connectors
- Damaged hoses
- Clogged drain lines causing water to back up
- A misaligned or damaged float switch
Warning signs of a water leak include:
- Puddles of water around or under the dishwasher
- Visible drips or moisture around connections
- Standing water in the bottom of the tub
- Floors, cabinets, or walls near the dishwasher feeling wet
Act quickly if you notice leaks to prevent ceiling, floor, wall, and other repairs. Turn off the water supply, run no more cycles, and call a technician for service.
Corroded Parts
The combination of water, high heat, and detergent causes corrosion to various dishwasher parts over time. Metals like the interior tub, spray arms, or racks will gradually oxidize. Some plastic and rubber components can also degrade.
Signs of corrosion include:
- Rust spots or streaks on the tub interior
- Visible mineral buildup on metal parts
- Cloudy looking plastic components
- Brittle or cracked rubber hoses, gaskets, and seals
Using a dishwasher cleaner, regularly wiping down the interior, and fully air drying the dishwasher between washes helps slow corrosion. But deteriorated parts like racks, tub, hoses, and spray arms may ultimately need professional replacement.
Noisy Operation
Dishwashers can begin to operate loudly due to a variety of problems including:
- A defective motor mount causing vibration
- A blocked or damaged impeller on the wash pump
- A worn bearing within the motor
- An obstruction in the drain like broken glass or plastic
- A malfunctioning valve diverter
Some sounds like gentle humming are normal, but loud grinding, knocking, screeching, or squealing noises usually indicate an underlying problem. Ignoring unusual noises can lead to more severe appliance damage over time.
Cleaning Issues
When a dishwasher fails to properly clean dishes, the cause is often:
- Clogged spray arms or jets
- Incorrect detergent amounts or water temperature
- Overloading the racks
- Hard water mineral buildup
- Low water pressure
- A damaged heating element or pump
Improperly loaded dishes, dishwasher overcrowding, and incorrect detergent dosing are common causes of poor performance that are easy to correct. But issues like mineral buildup, low water pressure, and malfunctioning wash parts may require a repair technician’s expertise.
Rust Stains on Dishes
Finding rust stains on dishes is frequently due to:
- Chipped enamel interiors allowing exposed metal to rust
- Iron particles in the water supply
- Low quality stainless steel tub materials
- Metal dishwasher parts rusting
Hard water exacerbates the problem. Installing an iron filter for the supply line may help. Vinegar rinses can remove some stains. But fully eliminating rust stains often requires replacing any chipped tubs and upgrading dishwasher parts.
Damaged Dishware and Glassware
Cloudy glassware, chipped dishes, and eroded decorative items are common dishwasher damage issues. Causes include:
- Improper loading leading to falling or shifting items
- Low quality dishwasher racks lacking padding
- Spray arm jets directly hitting glassware
- Oversized or irregular items blocking wash action
- Combining delicate crystal and heavy ceramic dishes
Hand wash valuables. Use racks with secure grips and padding. Avoid overcrowding and improper loading. Adjust spray arm direction. Take extra care with vintage and handmade pieces.
Etching on Glassware
Cloudy, frosted etching on glassware stems from mineral deposits and chemicals left by washing. Hard water exacerbates etching but detergent and softeners also leave residual films. Etching damage develops over time from repeat washings.
To minimize etching:
- Use a rinse aid to prevent mineral deposits
- Install a water softener if you have hard water
- Select gentle, low alkaline detergents
- Avoid overcrowding dishwasher loads
- Rinse glassware thoroughly before loading
Vinegar rinses help remove some etching. But glassware with advanced etching damage may need replacement.
Warping
Thin plastic and laminate dishware can warp in the heat, moisture, and pressure inside a dishwasher. Items most vulnerable to warping include:
- Plastic cups, trays, and serving pieces
- Laminate bowls and cutting boards
- Acrylic glasses and cookware
Avoid prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and dishwasher detergent. Use the lowest effective wash temperature and a heat drying option if possible. Remove plastic items promptly after washing. Consider hand washing warp-prone dishware.
Detergent Dispenser Issues
Problems with clogged dispensers, leaking detergent, and ineffective detergent distribution often arise if:
- Low water pressure or a weak pump cannot properly flush detergent
- Residue builds up blocking the dispenser
- Off-brand detergents cause clogs
- The cover latch or spring mechanism fails
Regularly clean the dispenser to prevent residue buildup. Use recommended detergents and prevent oversudsing. Replace defective latches, caps, and springs as needed.
Damaged Dish Baskets
Plastic dishwasher baskets and utensil holders eventually degrade and warp in the harsh environment inside the dishwasher. Chemicals and heat weaken and corrode the plastic over time. Signs of wear include:
- Visibly warped or sagging baskets
- Wheels cracked or broken off
- Mounting hardware broken
- Melted surfaces
- Brittle, cracked plastic
Avoid overloading or placing excess weight on racks. Use nylon-coated racks rather than all-plastic if possible. Replace worn racks and baskets to prevent utensil damage.
Damaged Silver and Flatware
The hot water and chemical detergent in dishwashers can damage many types of metal over time. Sterling silver and silver plate flatware are especially vulnerable to dishwasher-related damage including:
- Corrosion
- Pitting
- Discoloration
- Loss of gold or silver plating
Hand wash valuables including silver, gold, antique, or plated flatware. Use low detergent amounts and cool water temperatures if washing flatware. Avoid contact between silver and stainless steel.
Clogged Drains and Pumps
Food particles, grease, hair, and other debris washing off dishes can gradually clog drains, pipes, pumps, and filters inside a dishwasher.
Signs of a clogged dishwasher drain include:
- Standing water at the bottom not draining
- Gurgling sounds from clogged drains
- Backflow of dirty water up through the sink drain
- Dirty water overflowing out the door
Effects of a drain clog include leaked water, overflow damage, and dishwasher malfunction. Periodically clean out debris from the pump filter and backflow prevention valve to prevent clogged drains.
Conclusion
Dishwashers provide convenience but also come with potential drawbacks. Skin irritation, damage to dishes, maintenance issues, and cleaning problems are among the most common. With proper care and operation, many problems can be minimized. But expect to eventually replace parts like racks, hoses, motors, and seals.
Using gentle cycles, preventing overcrowding, hand washing delicates, and regular upkeep helps curb problems. Issues involving water leaks, major corrosion, electrical faults, and significant damage require professional repair.
While no appliance is perfect, being aware of potential dishwasher pitfalls helps maximize benefits while minimizing hassles. Implementing best practices allows you to enjoy clean dishes using your dishwasher for years to come.