Cleaning dishwasher - not often used - looks like rust???

[Daria B.]

Hi all- I've got a dishwasher that is seldom used. Today I had the plumber out to switch a kitchen facet. Since he had to cut off the water I wanted to make sure everything was flowing and working correctly. When I opened the dishwasher to run it to make sure it was still flowing water - I was met with surprise at the build up of "I am not sure what it is". I ran it to see if it would clean out and it didn't. What can I use besides vinegar as a solution to run through the cycle? I would post a picture but I'm using the iPhone app and there is no upload. I'll try later when I get to a real computer. Thanks!

[Bob H.]

Try Lime-A-Way, CLR or the generic equivalent from Dollar Tree. If the racks have rusted, you can buy time with a vinyl paint called Uber Goop.

[Account Closed]

"The Works" is the only thing I've found that works for the rust in my house.  Our water is very high in iron and even though we use salt pellets for iron in the softener, I still get signs of iron on the shower.  Spray it on, let it do it's thing.

[Daria B.]

thanks @Account Closed and @Bob H. I'll try those suggestions.

The racks are fine. It's the bottom of the dishwasher where the water would drain that has what appears to be rust. The rotating arm just above where the water sprays looks to be okay.

I am not able to post a picture. I guess that feature has been removed. :\

[Account Closed]

CLR - same as @Bob H. suggested.

[Bob H.]

One more thought: I recently bought LemiShine Multi-Purpose Machine Cleaner to clean the inside of a dishwasher that I thought was not washing well. I suppose it helped. I didn't have a rust problem, but I see that the product claims to eliminate rust stains. A three-pack at Big Lots was cheap, so it's worth a try. (It says you should use two pouches for an initial cleaning of heavy buildup.) The product also is intended for clothes washers and garbage disposals.

[Matt R.]

Many years ago, I had a job selling appliance parts, and the parts book listed a package of citric acid crystals for cleaning dishwashers.  You put it in the dishwasher detergent cup, instead of soap, and then ran a normal cycle with no dishes loaded.  Our service guys advised us (and we told customers) that Tang powdered drink mix would do the same job for less money, and every grocery store has it.  I've never had a dishwasher that was crusty enough to try it myself, though.

GE's information on using citric acid to clean out a dishwasher is here .

[Remmy Vernon]

We have rust issues in the water around here and our dishwashers often look orangish. I have had great luck with using some 'rust out' in them. Just fill the cleaner area with some, and run it. I then run it a few more times afterwards with regular cleaner.

[Daria B.]

Found the solution that worked - Thanks all!

I put a cup of vinegar on the top rack and ran the normal cycle.

Then I sprinkled some baking soda around the bottom affected area. Also a dash of Clorox. Ran this on the highest cycle.

Brand new and no signs of break down in material or mechanics.

@Account Closed

@Bob H.

@Account Closed

@Matt R.

@Remmy Vernon

[Scott Schultz]

Rust Out, is the best, we use it all the time, otherwise everything is orange in these parts.