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firstkim

Dishwashers and powdered water softener

firstkim
14 years ago

The folks on the appliance forum don't seem to have an answer, so I thought I'd try here.

The water here is hard as nails and my landlady refuses to install a water softener, but that's another topic...

We have a brand-new Whirlpool dishwasher. I use Cascade powder in it, since a plumber once told me that the gels are a major cause of clogs in dishwasher drains. I also use a rinse aid due to the hard water. But my plastics are still covered with a white scum at the end of the cycle, and it doesn't matter which variation of the cycle choices I use. I've also increased the amount of rinse aid that's released during the rinse cycle. Would it do any harm to add a teaspoon full of Calgon or some similar water softening powder to the wash cycle? Would it help?

BTW - My water heater is set at about 140 degF and I normally use the hi-heat setting as well.

TIA for any help or advice!

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