Why You Should Use Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher

Is your dishwasher leaving your glasses cloudy and your plastics soaking wet? The culprit might be the often-overlooked rinse aid compartment! Discover how a simple addition can transform your dishwashing routine in our step-by-step guide and explore the accompanying video below that makes it easier than ever to solve this common household problem.

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Have you noticed cloudy glasses or water spots on your dishes after they come out of the dishwasher? Are plastic containers still dripping wet? Well, it might be time to take a closer look at that mysterious “rinse aid” compartment. Adding this extra boost can help your dishes come out cleaner and drier. If you need any replacement parts for your dishwasher, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free videos to show you how to install your new parts. Let’s talk about what rinse aid is, when to use it, and some handy tips to make it work best!

WATCH: How to clean your dishwasher

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What is rinse aid?

Rinse aid works during the final rinse of your dishwasher cycle. It’s designed to help water properly drain off of dishes rather than bead up. The main goal is to prevent leftover water droplets from drying into hard-to-remove spots.

The main ingredient in most rinse aids is a surfactant. It’s a chemical that mixes with water. By lowering water’s surface tension, it helps the water spread evenly on your dishes when it drains. With less water left behind, you’ll have fewer water spots and faster drying times.

Many rinse aids contain minerals that act as water softeners. These ingredients bind to compounds like calcium and magnesium so they don’t leave cloudy residue on your dishes. Some rinse aids might also have extras like fragrance or rust inhibitors, but surfactants do the hard work.

When does rinse aid help?

Using a rinse aid can be really helpful for tackling dishwashing issues. Hard water is often to blame for those annoying spots on glasses and less-than-stellar drying. The water softeners in high-quality rinse aids are fantastic for taking care of this problem. After all, nobody wants to drink from a glass covered in film!

Plastic containers and cheaper dishes are also prone to staying wet after washing. Because plastics don’t conduct heat well naturally, they take longer to dry out. This gives extra time for water droplets to leave their mark. The rinse agent helps by allowing water to sheet off evenly from these items rather than pool up.

Rinse aid does wonders for glassware! It covers the surface evenly, giving it an awesome shine and sparkle. It’s perfect for keeping crystals, fancy glasses, and delicate china looking pristine. No one will ever guess they just came out of an old dishwasher!

If you’ve got an older or cheaper dishwasher that doesn’t dry efficiently, using rinse aid can give it a performance boost. The same applies to quick wash cycles when there’s not much time for heated drying. By making sure water drains off dishes first, you’ll have less moisture to deal with later.

How to use rinse aid

Refer to your dishwasher’s manual for any specific instructions related to using rinse aid effectively.

1. Open the rinse aid compartment.
2. Pour liquid rinse aid into the compartment until the indicator window reaches the “full” mark.
3. Close the compartment lid securely.
4. Your dishwasher automatically dispenses a small amount of rinse aid during each cycle’s final rinse.
5. Monitor the indicator window and refill when the level is low..
6. Keep an eye on the indicator window and refill the dispenser when it’s empty.
7. Typically, a dispenser can hold 4-6 ounces of rinse aid, which lasts around a month on average.
8. If your older dishwasher doesn’t have a rinse aid compartment, you can purchase a plastic rinse aid basket designed to fit over the upper rack. Fill the basket with rinse aid.
9. You can also use dishwasher pods that already contain built-in rinse aid, eliminating the need for a separate dispenser.

Natural alternatives to rinse aid 

While specialized rinse aids are popular, some people prefer more natural alternatives: 

• Instead of fancy name brands, some people like to go for more natural options. White vinegar is one of them, but it can be pretty strong and might damage rubber seals if you use it in the rinse aid compartment. A safer bet is to pour vinegar into a dishwasher-safe cup and place it on the bottom rack during the rinse cycle.
• Lemon juice works as a quick fix for spots, but its acid can damage your dishwasher in the long run. It’s better for temporary use rather than a permanent solution.
• If you’re into environmentally friendly choices, check out plant-based rinse aids. These use natural agents instead of strong man-made chemicals.

While DIY ideas can work, commercial rinse aids are made to be gentle yet strong. If natural fits your style, give it a go, but keep in mind it might not be as powerful against spots as the chemical-based agent.

How to maximize the effectiveness

With the right amount of fresh rinse aid, smart loading techniques, and suitable detergent, you can optimize dish drying and minimize water spots.

• Make sure to check your use and care manual to figure out how to adjust the amount dispensed. Just turn the indicator dial to account for water hardness. Remember, if you have hard water, you’ll need a bit more rinse aid.
• Make sure dishware is loaded correctly so water can drain freely off all surfaces. Avoid overcrowding.
• Choose a heated dry cycle and open the dishwasher to allow steam to escape after washing. This prevents moisture from resettling.
• Use detergent appropriate for your water hardness to avoid films that counteract rinse aid. Consider using less detergent if oversudsing is an issue.
• Run vinegar through an empty wash every few months to clear any calcium buildup. Scale reduces rinse aid effects.
• Replace the rinse aid monthly since the surfactants degrade over time. Don’t top off old rinse aid.

Is rinse aid necessary?

While rinse aid helps reduce water spots and improves drying, it’s not a must-have. If you have soft water with fewer mineral deposits, you might not even need it. Plus, many modern detergents already have additives that boost rinsing, almost like rinse aid.

One advantage of rinse aid is that it’s all about rinsing, no cleaning involved like with detergents. But hey, like most cleaning stuff, there are trade-offs to consider – effectiveness, cost, and safety.

So, whether you want to add rinse aid to optimize your dishwasher’s performance is up to you. The goal is still the same though – spotless dishes without wasting time or money.

More information

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find more resources including our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

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