Why Does My Dishwasher Leave Brown Marks on Cutlery + 3 Tips

Originally Created on: May 3, 2022 @ 9:05 pm

After washing a load of dishes, you open the dishwasher to find that several pieces of your cutlery have brown stains on them. You pull them out and take a closer look, and to your horror, they’re rust stains!

This can be incredibly frustrating, but don’t worry — there are things you can do to prevent this from happening again. Here’s why you’re getting rust stains in your dishwasher and how to get rid of them once and for all!

Let’s get straight into it.

Why Does My Dishwasher Leave Brown Marks on Cutlery

Dishwashers leave brown marks on cutlery for a number of reasons, including, residue buildup from a previous wash cycle, improper use of detergents as well as if you are cleaning with hard water. Of course, we can’t also forget the fact that the brown marks could actually be rust on your cutlery.

Dishwashers are built with a mechanical counter that records how many times your washer has been used. This can result in what we call dishwasher fatigue, which can cause residue buildup. That said, here are the reasons why your dishwasher might be leaving brown marks on your cutlery.

Reasons Why Dishwasher Leaves Brown Marks on Cutlery

1. Residue Build-up

When your machine is left in its standby position for long periods without being used it doesn’t always get completely emptied of water before sitting there unused again. So when you turn it back on to do another load of dishes you may notice that they aren’t coming out clean because some residue from a previous cycle still remains. 

2. Hard Water

If you have hard water and live in an area where minerals like calcium and magnesium are present then you will also experience spots on your dishes due to these mineral deposits as well as any other residues that were not cleaned off properly by the detergent or soap product used during your last wash cycle. This can also be caused by overloading your machine, which prevents it from completely cleaning off all of those sticky spots before they dry.

3. Improper Use of Detergents and/or Products

Sometimes people tend to overload their machines with too much stuff, which includes soaps, rinses, softeners, etc., especially if they’re trying to get rid of some stubborn stains on their dishes. For your machine to do its job properly you need to make sure that you only use what it recommends in terms of amount and type, otherwise, you might end up with a lot more work than you bargained for. 

4. Rusting

Rusting occurs when items of metallic builds are exposed to oxygen and water. This is a natural chemical reaction that affects all metals and doesn’t necessarily mean you have a faulty dish washer. Salty and acidic water can speed up the corrosion process.

Keeping in mind dishwashers operating in high temperature and using harsh chemicals from detergents, the brown marks on your cutlery could easily be rust build up from daily use of the dishwasher to clean your cutlery.

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Why Does My Cutlery Tarnish in the Dishwasher?

Your cutlery tarnishes in the dishwasher for several reasons. Tarnishing means that your silverware has turned a darker color due to the following;

The Natural Oxidation

When you expose silver to oxygen, it will tarnish. This natural process can be slowed down by storing your silverware in a sealed container or wrapping it in an airtight plastic bag. However, if your silverware has already been tarnished by oxidation, putting it in a sealed container will not stop it from tarnishing further.

Damages From Chemicals, Heat, Salts, Grease or Moisture

If you use certain cleaning products with harsh chemicals or abrasives, they can cause your silverware to tarnish. Dish washing detergents are often too harsh for silver, so avoid using them. Heating up your silverware in a dishwasher can also damage it and cause it to tarnish more quickly. Exposing silver to salt will also speed up oxidation and tarnishing, as salt attracts moisture from your hands when you handle it.

Rust

Rusting occurs when metallic surfaces are exposed to both oxygen and water, and no better place for this to happen than in your dishwasher during a wash cycle. When your cutlery is exposed to the high temperatures and the harsh chemicals used to run your dishwasher, they become great catalysts for rusting.

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How to Stop Cutlery Rusting in Dishwasher

Dishwashers use chemicals to clean your dishes effectively. It’s a good idea to check that these chemicals are compatible with your other kitchen equipment, especially those which may come into contact with food and water, such as cutlery. If you want to keep it shining, here’s how to make sure it doesn’t become tarnished in your dishwasher.

a) Rinse Your Cutlery Beforehand

Salt and acid can enhance the tarnishing process, so rinsing your cutlery in hot water before placing it in your dishwasher will help remove any residue. The hotter the water, the better. It’s also a good idea to avoid putting any items with a high silver content into your dishwasher, as these mahttps://mykitchenapex.com/stainless-steel-in-microwave/y tarnish more quickly than others.

b) Wash Immediately After Use

If you can’t store your cutlery somewhere that’s free from dust and debris, you should try to wash it immediately after use. Be sure to do a thorough job.

c) Don’t Overuse Your Detergent

To prevent your cutlery from tarnishing, you should check your detergent’s packaging to make sure it’s compatible with other kitchen equipment. If not, try using a product specifically designed for cleaning silver or stainless steel. It’s also important not to overuse detergent in your dishwasher, as too much can encourage discoloration and damage silver-plated items.

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Conclusion

In a nutshell, the question “why does my dishwasher leave brown marks on cutlery” can be answered by saying that it’s likely because of food or rust in your water. A good way to fix these problems is to run your machine through a cleaning cycle with some white vinegar and hot water.

This should remove any stains and help prevent future build-up. As always, if you’re having trouble with your machine or have any other questions about how to maintain it properly, feel free to contact the right people.