Cloudy film on glasses

[mommytotwo]

We have been using Cascade or Cascade Complete powder dish detergent in our dishwashwer for years. About a month ago, our glasses started getting funky with a cloudy film on them. If I washed them by hand, the film would either go away or at least improve considerably.

I know that the enzymes in detergents were going to be phased out. Could the film on the dishes be from that? I also tried "cleaning the dishwasher" and the dishes with Tang followed by Cascade, and that did help a little bit. Now if I use Cascade with Lemi Shine mixed in, the cloudiness is gone as well.

I'm not aware of any changes to the water in our home recently, so that's why I'm wondering if the detergent may have just changed. Has anyone else encountered this recently? Any suggestions for other dishwasher detergent that works effectively with somewhat hard water?

Thanks!

[brittone2]

There was a recent thread on this. I think because the phosphates are being phased out, there is more build up now with some of the newer detergents. I haven't had this problem, but was looking up something appliance-related on the gardenweb site, and there was a discussion there. They suggestion was the Lemi shine/citric acid products used once a month or as needed. If that's working in some capacity when you use it, it sounds like maybe it is buildup?

I think in the thread on the BBB cascade was a brand that was causing people some problems? I use Ecover tabs or sometimes Finish tabs (electrosol) and they've been fine for us so far.

Maybe try something other than Cascade?

[MamaMolly]

Well I was going to recommend Lemishine but it looks like you are already using it! We bought some to try in our nasty caked on calcium deposit dishwasher (we don't own this house!) and I have to say I'm amazed how well it works. I use it in every cycle which is expensive, but I'm hoping that once my dishwasher is clean then I won't have to use it so much.

[elephantmeg]

we're having to use a little lemishine in every load..

[happymom]

Do you use Jet Dry? I find it helps.

[boltfam]

hijacking: where do you find Lemishine? I think we're in need.

[mommytotwo]

Thank you everyone for the responses. Related to Jet Dry, we have been using it (and used it previously). Unfortunately, the film still shows up even with the Jet Dry.

Related to where to find Lemi Shine -- our local Target store carried it.

Thanks for the suggestion on Ecover. I will try to give that a try as well.

If others have suggestions, they will be greatly appeciated.

Thanks for your help!

[boltfam]

I'll pick some up next time I go to Target.

[KrisM]

I soak my glasses maybe 3 times a year in a vinegar/water mix. Takes only 5 minutes or so per glass. I find it keeps the cloudiness away for quite a while. I don't really know why.

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

Use Tang, one scoop per wash just sprinkle it in, smells like oranges! I use the Ecover tabs, and Tang.