It can be confusing and annoying when your Bosch dishwasher leaves dishes dirty after a wash cycle. Luckily, the most common causes of cleaning performance issues are easy to identify and fix. There are simple steps you can take to resolve the issue yourself before calling a professional.
Why Does My Bosch Dishwasher Leave Dishes Dirty?
Some of the most common reasons why your Bosch dishwasher may not be cleaning your dishes include:
- Blocked or clogged spray arm
- Dirty filter
- Clogged drain
- Loading too many dishes
- Broken or stuck detergent dispenser
Blocked or Clogged Spray Arm
The spray arm is one of the most important parts of a dishwasher because it sprays water to get your dishes looking shiny and new! But sometimes, it can get blocked by dishes or clogged with debris, which can lead to dirty dishes.
To check if the spray arm is blocked, try spinning the arm manually. If it gets stopped by dishes sticking out, rearrange the dishes and try spinning it again.
If it spins freely, it could be clogged with debris or hard water, preventing sufficient water supply from washing the dishes. Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub build-up away. You can also straighten out a paper clip and gently poke through the spray arm holes to clear out any clogs.
Dirty Filter or Clogged Drain
Is your Bosch dishwasher not cleaning dishes like it used to? It might be because of debris lurking at the bottom of the machine. To check it out, first, make sure the dishwasher is empty, then remove the bottom rack. Next, inspect the bottom for any large pieces of food, broken glassware, or other trash that could be blocking the drain and causing a mess. If you see anything, remove it carefully to avoid injury.
Next, remove the filter, usually located on the bottom of the dishwasher. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for instructions on how to remove and replace the filter of your model dishwasher. Once you’ve removed the filter, rinse it under warm water and use a soft sponge and mild detergent to clean off any buildup. Finally, replace the filter and test the cleaning power of your dishwasher again.
Dishwasher Is Overcrowded
Loading too many items into a Bosch dishwasher can lead to reduced cleaning performance and dishes that are still dirty after a wash cycle. Dishwashers are designed to distribute water and detergent evenly across all the dishes inside. Overloading the dishwasher can prevent water and detergent from reaching all areas of the dishes, resulting in less effective cleaning.
Additionally, when dishes are crowded together, they can create shadows and block the spray arms, further reducing the cleaning performance of the dishwasher. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for loading your dishwasher to ensure that your dishes are properly cleaned and sanitized with every wash.
Could This Be Why Your Bosch Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Dirty?
When the dispenser doesn’t open as it should, the dishes might not get the soap they need to come out squeaky clean. Luckily, fixing this issue can be quite simple. First, check to see if the dispenser is clogged with detergent or any other debris. If it is, clean it out with warm water and a toothbrush.
If that doesn’t solve the issue, make sure that the dispenser is properly aligned and that nothing is blocking it from opening during the wash cycle.
Additionally, ensure that you’re using the correct detergent for your dishwasher and that you’re not overloading it with too many dishes. If your dishwasher continues to give you problems, contact the Bosch dishwasher repair experts at Handler Appliance.
