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

Question

Daria B. · Answer

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.

@Suzie B.

@Bob Hucker

@Michael Paris

@Matt R.

@Remmy Vernon

Bob H. · Answer

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 · Answer

"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.

Account Closed · Answer

CLR - same as @Bob Hucker suggested.

Scott Schultz · Answer

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

Remmy Vernon · Answer

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.

Matt R. · Answer

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 .

Bob H. · Answer

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.

Daria B. · Answer

thanks @Suzie Browning and @Bob Hucker 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. :\

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

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