How to Clean Mineral Deposits in a Dishwasher

Clean mineral deposits as soon as you start to see them. This way, they won't build up too much in the areas of your dishwasher that are difficult to clean, such as the filter and heating coils. Also, cleaning early can prevent the mineral deposits from rusting your dishwasher.

Use household products. Run an empty dishwasher on the normal cycle with a cup of either orange Tang, orange juice, lemon juice or white vinegar. Each contains high levels of acid, which will dissolve the mineral deposits. Repeat if necessary. You may also need to mix some water with one of these household items and use a toothbrush to scrub away the stubborn mineral deposit spots.

Use store-bought products. There are products that are specifically designed to get rid of mineral deposits. They are sold in most dishwashing detergent isles or in your local home-improvement store. Follow the directions on the label. Usually, you just add a specific amount to an empty dishwasher and run the normal washing cycle.

Add a filtration system. To prevent mineral deposits from forming in your dishwasher, you may wish to consider purchasing and installing a filtration system. This will filter all the extra minerals, such as lime and calcium, that cause mineral deposits. It may be costly, but you will have cleaner dishes and better drinking water and quite possibly will save your dishwasher from having to be replaced earlier than expected.