Muck in dishwashers can be non-visible and can create a variety of symptoms: * failure to clean well due to one of the arms not spinning freely * flooding or leaking due to the water level sensor being gunged up * poor cleaning performance
A machine can look clean, but be a real mess in the hidden plumbing.
Cleaning
There are several ways to clean them out. * dishwasher cleaning bottles available from supermarkets * citric acid * vinegar * bleach * trisodium phosphate * trisodium phosphate substitute * running the machine as normal but empty * sugar soap, available from BMs and paint suppliers
Ah yes - I get the job of repairing the dishwashers across the whole extended family, so plenty of experience here...
or spin-arm jet holes blocked, so there's no rotational force, or (where spin-arm comes out with top tray), failed water coupling from top tray pipework to fixed water feed, so not enough water makes it to the spray arm.
Before closing door and starting machine, spin the spray arms by hand to ensure nothing is fowling them.
or for systems that test that the water level sensor works (some whirlpool/IKEA ones), they lock-out when this happens.
Flooding can also be caused by something stuck in the rubber door seal, such as the end of a piece of cutlery.
Failure to clean all the filters often enough (or ever). Leaving dirty items to dry out for too long before washing.
bad smell inside
Common when a thick layer of muck builds up at the front of the water trough, hidden by the bottom of the opening door and not subject to the cleaning jets from the spray arms. Failure to clean all the filters often enough (or ever). Can also be caused by eco washing products and too few hot washes.
Some of the grease which builds up and seems not to be susceptable to dishwasher detergents actually dissolves very easily with a good washing up liquid (like Fairy, but not any of the eco ones). Using anything other than a very small amount risks the machine overflowing with foam, but 1-2 drips in each wash stops this ever building up, and a hot wash with a little more can clean a moderately gunged up machine (open and check for foam just after wash starts - if none, add a bit more washing up liquid, if excessive, abandon cycle and pump out, and repeat cycle without adding any more, just using the foam left behind).
To check if spray arm is rotating: Release door catch to pause operation, wait a few seconds before opening, and then note position of the spray arms. Close door to resume cycle. After a few seconds, repeat this and see if spay arms have moved. May need to repeat a few more times to be sure they aren't moving.
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