I have a Kenmore Ultrawash dishwasher. I have hard water. I have white unremovable film on my glasses. I recently (a couple of months ago started using the Cascade prepackaged detergent (little disolvable bags). My instinct tells me this may be the problem.

What settings should I have on the dishwasher. I have it set on Pots & pans and Air dry. :confused:

It may be "etching" and from what I understand all dishwashers and detergents do it over time, some more so than others. You can test to see if it is by hand washing a glass or dipping it in white vinegar and if it remains, its etching. You can help slow it down by turning down the heat on the hot water fed to your dishwasher to 140 degreees or less and reduce the amount of detergent used. Keep in mind those packets are meant for full loads. If the film comes off completely, then it's a result of hard water mineral deposits and a water softener might be the ticket.

When the dishwasher repair man came to my house, he told me that some of the white stuff was etching, but most was detergent build up. He then took apart the interior of my dishwasher & showed me the solid white "cakes" of detergent. He said that this was from using too much detergent. He told me to NEVER fill the compartment & not to use "per-measured" as this was way too much soap. He said that what happens is that these "cakes" will not dissolve, but will add extra soap to your load. The way he tested was to start the dishwasher w/ out putting soap in. Then after it ran for a few minuets, he opened it up & all of the water was "soapy" even though we didn't put any in. We literally spent @ 2 hours chiseling this stuff off the insides of my dishwasher. About every 2 weeks, I pour @ 2 cups of white vinegar in w/ my dirty dishes & just run the rinse cycle. This gets the white stuff off my glasses, & makes then shine. It also helps w/ eating away at this build up. What I am about to tell you next is true, but hard to believe. He said that I could buy the "new" dishwasher cleaner that is supposed to eat away this build up, but he said that he prefers powered Tang. Yes Tang. He said to add about 1/2 cup, & run the full cycle. He said that if your glasses are white to put them in when you do this. He assured me that this was the best way to go, & wouldn't cause damage. I haven't tried it yet, because I often do the vinegar thing. However, the "whiteness" seems to getting more frequent, so short of taking the dishwasher apart again & hacking this stuff off, I am going to get me some Tang! Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by kymwm

I am going to get me some Tang!! Hope this helps.

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This quote made me laugh, but I'm going to try it. I've had some of the same problems. Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by kp2171

this quote made me laugh, but im going to try it. ive had some of the same problems. thanks for the info.

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I hope it helps, Good Luck

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Originally Posted by kp2171

this quote made me laugh, but im going to try it. ive had some of the same problems. thanks for the info.

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LOL me too! And iffen it doesn't work, well we'll just have cloudy glasses that smell like oranges then! :p
And iffen it does, then I might be buying TANG by the case!

Many people including myself have this problem. I have heard about Tang and Vinegar but For my money, Lemi Shine works the best.

Hard water and low phosphate detergents are a recipe for <a href="http://www.dishwasherfilm.com">dishwasher white film.</a>

For me Lemi Shine solved my problems as well as my mothers and neighbors. I highly recommend trying a bottle.

You an read more here http://www.dishwasherfilm.com