How to Prevent White Residue On Dishware, According to Cleaning Experts
Plus, is it safe to ingest?
As you unload your clean dishes from the dishwasher, have you noticed a cloudy and chalky white residue resting on top of the glasses? You may wonder if this residue is from the dish detergent or something else and how to get rid of it. Most importantly, is it safe to use dishware coated with white residue? To troubleshoot the problem, we chatted with three professional cleaners. Here’s what they had to say.
Related: Is There a Right Way to Load a Dishwasher?
What Causes White Residue on Clean Dishes?
Hard Water
This white residue you see is caused by hard water, says Toby Schultz, co-founder and chief executive officer of Maid2Match. Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids, concurs: "Hard water contains high levels of minerals, mainly magnesium and calcium. The residue forms as the water in the dishwasher dries on the dishes. The minerals remain on the surface of the dishes, leaving behind a white, sometimes chalky residue."
Schultz adds that if you live in a hard water area, and unless you filter the water you use, the water can leave mineral deposits inside the dishwasher and on your dishes. "The white film or spots will only worsen as the minerals build up inside the appliance," he says.
Leftover Detergent
Using too much detergent or an unsuitable type for your dishwasher can also leave undissolved detergent sticking to your dishware. Detergent residue is a common problem for powdered or tablet detergents, Willat says. "Using too much detergent or a detergent [unsuitable for your dishwasher] can leave some white residue on the surface of your dishes because the detergent isn't fully dissolved," he says.
Liquid dishwasher pods can also leave a white residue, depending on the formula. "Similar to powder detergents [and powdered tablets], you will see the residue after the dishes are dried if the liquid isn't fully dissolved or blended into the hot water,” he says. The liquid detergent might also feel slimy or sticky.
Water Temperature
Detergent-related residue on your dishes could be due to your dishwasher's water temperature, according to Delah Gomasi, chief executive officer and founder of MaidForYou. “The heating element in your dishwasher can malfunction, lowering the water's temperature output over time. This, in turn, prevents the detergent from dissolving fully, resulting in the white filmy residue on your clean dishes,” he says.
Is It Safe To Ingest the White Residue?
If you notice old food particles or caked-on residue on your dishes, it isn’t safe to eat. Willatt recommends handwashing your dishes before using them and calling a plumber to find out why your dishwasher isn't cleaning correctly. Mineral deposits from hard water don't rub off easily–you will usually need to scrape them off, says Schultz. Or you can also wipe the dishes off with vinegar.
How to Get Rid of the Residue
Use the Recommended Type of Detergent
Every dishwasher model recommends the types of dishwasher detergent the appliance is compatible with. "Always make sure you're using the recommended type of detergent for your dishwasher. Some must be powder-only, while others use liquid detergents," Schultz says.
Check the Water Temperature
As noted earlier, if the water isn't hot enough, the detergent won't fully dissolve. If the white residue persists, check your dishwasher's heating element and water heater to ensure the water reaches the optimal temperature for your dishwasher. Gomasi suggests you can also try running a full cycle with another brand of dishwashing tablet, checking your dishwasher filter, running a cycle with half the dishes to make sure the cause isn't dishwasher overload, and using a dishwasher descaler to make sure the white film isn't caused by hard water or mineral stains. "If all fails, you'll need to contact an appliance repair professional to troubleshoot your heating element, as this is most likely the cause," he says.
Adjust the Dishwasher's Water Hardness Setting
Some dishwasher models also have a water hardness setting or a salt container. Gomasi suggests adjusting the water hardness settings that regulates water going through your dishwasher, softening the liquid so it doesn't leave minerals. If your dishwasher doesn't have that option, Willatt suggests speaking with a plumber about installing a soft water machine or reverse osmosis device to remove excess minerals in your water.
Run a Washing Cycle with Vinegar
If you are certain the white residue is caused by mineral buildup, Gomasi suggests running a quick hot cycle with a dishwasher-safe container of vinegar on the bottom rack. The vinegar will dissolve and wash off any mineral buildup. He also recommends doing a vinegar rinse every few weeks to prevent mineral buildup and reading the owner's manual to ensure vinegar won't damage the dishwasher's interior.
Use Less Detergent
If you have tried all of the above and the white residue still persists, this could be linked to the leftover detergent. Try using less detergent per washing cycle or changing your dishwasher detergent.
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