How to Get Etching Stains Off of Dishes

Etching is the appearance of areas of discoloration on glasses or other dishware. The discoloration first looks like a rainbow or prism-colored area on the item and changes over time to a more white or milky color. The condition is most commonly caused by the use of too much detergent in an area with soft water -- unfortunately etching cannot be removed once the discoloration has occurred. The appearance of the discoloration can, however, be reduced and future incidents may be prevented.

Low phosphate dishwasher detergent
Rinse aid
Citric acid crystals
Vinegar

Instructions

- 1
  Contact your local water company and inquire as to the mineral content of the water in your area. If the water is considered soft or your home has a water softening system installed, use less automatic dishwasher detergent than usual but always use at least 1 tablespoon of detergent for proper cleaning.
- 2
  Switch to a detergent with a phosphate content of 8.7 percent or less, which will be marked on the detergent container.
- 3
  Run a citric acid wash by pouring 1 to 3 tablespoons citric acid crystals in the detergent dispenser instead of detergent and wash the affected dishes and glassware through a normal wash cycle. Select an "Air Dry" cycle if your dishwasher has one or stop the dishwasher before the dry cycle and use a towel to hand dry the items. Do not wash metal items in this wash cycle.
- 4
  Try a vinegar rinse by stopping the dishwasher right after the detergent cup opens during the cycle and pouring 1 cup vinegar into the dishwasher tub. Close the dishwasher door and let the cycle finish but do not use a heated dry cycle.
- 5
  Add rinse aid detergent before every wash cycle and use only air dry cycles instead of heated dry options.

Noise During the Wash Cycle on a Kenmore Dishwasher

Heat Dry vs. Air Dry on Dishwasher

Dishwashers