A Maytag dishwasher that leaves food or film on dishes is almost always limited by something that stops water or detergent reaching them. A few checks usually find it before any repair is needed.
Check the Filter
Remove the lower rack and twist out the filter in the bottom of the tub. Hold it under running water and brush off the film with an old toothbrush. Seeds, glass chips and grease settle in the mesh and keep the pump from moving enough water.
Check the Spray Arms
- Give each arm a push with a finger. It ought to rotate without catching.
- Check the small holes for plugs of food and poke them clear with a toothpick.
- Make sure a tall dish is not blocking the arm.
Check Water Temperature and Loading
- Run the hot tap at the kitchen sink until it is hot, then start the dishwasher. Cool water at the start reduces cleaning, especially with greasy dishes.
- Do not crowd the racks or nest bowls.
- Use fresh detergent and check that the dispenser door opens during the cycle.
- Run a cleaning cycle if you see white film from hard water.
What Cannot Be Concluded Without a Look
If the filter and arms are clear and the dishes are still dirty, the circulation pump, inlet valve or dispenser latch may be the cause. The result on the dishes cannot tell them apart, so we test each one.
Rinse aid helps drying and spotting, but pre-rinsing every plate can actually confuse a soil sensor on some machines, so scrape rather than rinse. A dishwasher that has been cleaned and still performs poorly is a good reason to book a visit instead of buying another detergent.
Wash performance problems are covered by Maytag dishwasher repair. Tell us what you have cleaned and what the dishes look like.