Why your dishwasher leaves dishes dirty — and the simple fix our technician used
When your dishwasher suddenly stops cleaning the way it should, it can feel like you're doing the same load twice. That’s exactly what happened to a homeowner in Chicago, Illinois, who noticed their dishes coming out with food residue, cloudy spots, and greasy film — even after running multiple cycles.
Instead of replacing the appliance, they called our team for a professional inspection. What looked like a major problem turned out to be a simple fix that restored the dishwasher’s cleaning power the same day.
Job details
Location: Chicago, IL
Appliance: Dishwasher
Issue: Dishes coming out dirty after every cycle
Diagnosis: Clogged spray arms restricting water flow
Repair: Full spray arm cleaning + water pressure test
Technician: Ihor
The problem: dishes coming out dirty and spotted
The client explained that the dishwasher sounded normal, filled with water, and completed the cycle — but the dishes were still dirty. This usually means water isn’t circulating properly inside the tub.
- The spray arms weren’t spinning with enough force
- The top rack dishes were barely getting rinsed
Both symptoms pointed to an issue with clogged spray arms or a weak circulation pump.
Diagnosis: clogged spray arms restricting water flow
Once the technician removed the lower and upper spray arms, the problem became clear — several of the small jets were completely blocked with food debris, minerals, and detergent buildup. When these openings clog, water pressure drops dramatically, and the dishwasher can’t clean effectively.
The client mentioned they rinse dishes lightly before loading but didn’t realize that small particles often get stuck inside the spray arm channels over time.
The repair: cleaning and flushing the spray arms
The technician fully disassembled the spray arms, flushed each water channel, and removed compacted debris using a specialized cleaning tool. After the arms were cleared, they inspected the circulation pump and verified it was functioning correctly with proper pressure.
Once everything was reassembled, they ran a test cycle. Within minutes, the spray arms spun freely, water pressure returned to normal, and the dishwasher cleaned perfectly again.
The result: spotless dishes in a single cycle
The homeowner couldn’t believe the difference. After just one cycle, the dishes came out sparkling clean with no residue, streaks, or film. A repair that took less than an hour saved them from replacing an appliance that still had many years of use left.
Why dishwashers stop cleaning properly
- Clogged spray arms – the #1 cause of poor cleaning
- Weak or failing circulation pump
- Dirty or blocked filter
- Low water pressure entering the machine
- Faulty water inlet valve
- Using too much or too little detergent
Maintenance tips to keep your dishwasher cleaning like new
- Clean the spray arms every 3–6 months
- Rinse dishes lightly but avoid large food chunks
- Use high‑quality detergent based on water hardness
- Clean the dishwasher filter weekly
- Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle monthly
- Use rinse aid if you have hard water
Why choose us for dishwasher repair in Chicago
Our appliance repair team provides fast, reliable service throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. We diagnose problems accurately, use genuine parts, and offer same‑day appointments whenever possible.
Need dishwasher repair in Chicago?
If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, don’t wait — it won’t fix itself. Our local technicians can restore full cleaning performance in just one visit. Call today or book your repair online.
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