Are your dishes coming out of the dishwasher looking cloudy, stained or covered with film? If so, your dishwasher could be the problem. There is nothing more frustrating than cleaning your dishes in the dishwasher only to rinse them again in the sink due to spot and stains. Here are some of the measures that you can take to ensure that your dishwasher does not stain or leave your dishes looking cloudy after cleaning.

Soften your water

Depending on the water supply in your area, you may be having hard water, which is richer in minerals than pure water. Hard water leaves mineral deposits on your dishwasher, which when they accumulate can cause damage to your dishwasher by corroding the metal parts. Mineral deposits are also responsible for the cloudy white residue that's left on your silverware and glasses. The salts are left behind on the dishes after the water evaporates from them.

You can soften the water supply in your home to protect your dishwasher and plumbing fixtures. Purchase a water softener and use it in your dishwasher or at the main water supply. However, if you don't have it at hand, you can put some vinegar or citric acid in the rinse aid compartment of your dishwasher to remove the accumulated deposits in the appliance.

Use minimal detergent

One of the mistakes that many people make is increasing the amount of detergent they use after realizing that the dishes are very greasy or dirty. However, this can end up spotting your dishes even after cleaning them. This can be particularly common if you have hard water in your home. Reduce the amount of dishwashing detergent that you use and observe whether the stains and spots will disappear. If you have soft water in the home, a little amount of detergent will be enough to get rid of dirt, grease, and oils and leave your dishes clean.

Clean the dishwasher

Just like other home appliances, the dishwasher requires regular cleaning to maintain optimal performance. Cleaning will also remove detergent buildup, stop mineral deposits, and prevent the formation of rust. Use a dishwasher cleaner and run an empty cycle of dishes at least once a month to flush out the accumulated chemicals. This will extend the usable life of the appliance and improve its performance.

Contact an appliance repairs service if your dishes still spot after taking these measures or if you are experiencing other problems with the dishwasher.