Symptoms
- Food residue stuck between fork tines or spoon bowls
- Some utensils clean while others in the same load aren't
- Utensils near the center or edges of the basket stay dirty
- Problem is worse with spoons and forks than knives
Likely causes
- CommonUtensils nested together in the basketWhen spoons or forks touch and stack, water can't reach the surfaces pressed together.
- CommonBasket in a shielded or low-spray zoneSome spots in the rack get less direct water coverage than others.
- PossibleClogged spray arm holes reducing coverageBlocked holes reduce spray in specific zones, which affects one basket area more than others.
- PossibleOverloading the utensil basketCramming too many utensils in reduces water circulation around each piece.
- Less commonLow water pressure or a weak wash pumpA general drop in wash pressure affects hard-to-reach items first.
What to do
- Load utensils with handles down for forks and spoons (up for very sharp knives) and mix types so they don't nest together.
- Spread utensils out across all compartments of the basket rather than clustering them.
- Check the lower spray arm for clogged holes and clear them with a toothpick.
- Avoid overfilling the utensil basket; run a slightly smaller load if utensils are still coming out dirty.
- Pre-scrape heavily caked-on food from utensils before loading, since dishwashers work best on light residue.
- If utensils in every load stay dirty regardless of loading, check overall wash pressure and spray arm rotation.
Tools and parts
- Toothpick
When to call a pro
If loading changes don't help and overall wash performance seems weak, a technician can check the wash pump and spray arm coverage.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.