Is your Amana dishwasher not cleaning or leaving stains on your dishes? There are several reasons for this. In most cases, it could be due to user error. If this is your first time using the Amana dishwasher, ensure you go through the user manual to learn how to use the device properly.
Below, we have listed the reasons your dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes properly and what to do.
Amana Dishwasher Not Cleaning: How to Fix
Amana dishwasher leaves black or gray marks
Black or gray marks could indicate when aluminum items rub against other dishes. This problem could be due to a loading error. When loading the dishwasher, make sure silverware is loaded so it does not touch other dishes.
Any throw-away aluminum items should not be loaded into the dishwasher at all. These items should be hand washed instead. If you notice any aluminum marks, you can remove them using a mild abrasive cleaner
Amana dishwasher leaves brown stains
Brown stains are usually due to water with a high level of iron. These stains are easy to remove. All you have to do is re-wash the dishes using affresh dishwasher cleaning in the covered section of the detergent dispenser instead of detergent as recommended by Amana.
You can use a normal wash cycle with detergent to get the dishes clean. If the brown stains become consistent, you might want to solve the problem at the source. Installing an iron removal unit should get rid of the brown stains completely.
Amana dishwasher leaves white spotting and/or film
White spotting and/or film on your dishes could be due to several reasons however, they’re usually easy to get rid of.
Using a rinse aid can help to improve the cleaning and drying performance in a load. With rinse aid, the water sheets off the dishes and interior of the dishwasher. If you notice that your dishwasher doesn’t have an in-built rinse aid dispenser, you can purchase rinse-aid baskets that clip onto the top rack of the dishwasher at most grocery stores.
Tough loads can be hard to clean even for a dishwasher. White spotting could be due to using a regular temperature wash cycle on a tough load. If you notice white spotting on your dishes, then you might want to use the highest temperature wash option. This option will raise the main wash temperature to improve the cleaning for tough loads.
If you’re having issues drying, then you need to use the heated dry option. This will give the best drying performance.
The detergent plays a role in the quality of the wash. Check the type of detergent you’re using. Pre-measured dishwasher detergent tablets and pacs tend to perform better than powder, liquid, or gel detergents when it comes to reducing filming on dishes.
How to Clean the Filter System of your Amana Dishwasher
Cleaning the Removable Filtration System
The dishwasher’s triple filtration system is designed to minimize sound and optimize water and energy conservation and at the same time, provide superior cleaning performance. Throughout the life of your dishwasher, the filter will maintain its peak cleaning performance, only if maintained properly.
The triple filter system consists of 2 parts; an upper filter assembly, and a lower filter.
- The upper filter assembly is designed to keep oversized items, food particles, and foreign objects, out of the pump
- The lower filter keeps food from being re-circulated onto your dishwasher.
Both filters will have to be cleaned consistently. You will notice that the filter needs to be cleaned when
- Visible objects or soils are on the Upper Filter Assembly
- There is a drop in cleaning performance with visible soil on dishes
- Dishes feel gritty to the touch.
The filter should be cleaned based on the load and based on the condition of the dishes before loading. If you wash your dishes before loading you will only need to clean the filters once a year regardless of the number of your loads per week. If you only scrap or simply scrap and rinse before loading, the number of your loads will determine if you need to clean it every two months, four months, twice a year, or once a year.
Filter Removal Instructions
The water filter area is at the bottom of the dishwasher. Check if the water filter area has larger food particles or foreign objects (broken glass) around it. You should start by removing these particles by hand and discarding them before removing the filters. If the foreign objects get into the filter area, the dishwasher could develop problems later on.
Turn the Upper Filter Assembly by a quarter counterclockwise and lift out. You might have to move the spray arm in order to remove the filter.
Separate the upper filter assembly by gently pulling it apart
Go ahead to clean the filter.
Cleaning the Filter
When cleaning the filter, don’t use a wire brush or scouring pad as these materials may damage the filter. Rinse the filter under running water until most soils are moored. If there are any hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits from hard water, you might need to use a soft brush.
Reinstalling the Filter
Once cleaned, you will have to reinstall the filter into the dishwasher. Place the lower filter under the locating tabs in the bottom of the dishwasher. This ensures that the round opening for the upper filter assembly lines up with the round opening in the bottom of the tub.
Insert the upper filter assembly into the circular opening in the lower filter.
Slowly rotate the filter clockwise until it drops into place. Continue to rotate until the filter is locked into place. If the filter still turns freely, continue to turn the filter clockwise until it drops and locks into place.
If the filters are not properly installed, do not operate the dishwasher as this will cause damage. Ensure that the filter is lowered securely in place and the upper filter assembly is locked into place. If the upper filter assembly still turns freely after installation, then it is not locked in place. Note that, the upper filter assembly arrow doesn’t have to align with the arrow in the lower filter as long as the filter is locked.
