Rust/marks on cutlery

[illmonkey]

This has started about 6 months ago, which was 6 months after getting a dishwasher. It looks like rust marks, and some pitting with black marks on the cutlery. Surprising as its stainless steel.

Any ideas how to tidy it up?

[Robb F]

This may seem obvious, have you tried polishing them?

[illmonkey]

I've not tried anything. I will try it out, but I really don't want to have to polish the whole lot every month

[VR6time]

Is there a knob to reduce the salt level on your dishwasher? should be inside the salt filling bit. Try truning it down a touch.

[dickymint]

After you've polished them spray them with WD40 and put them in the drawer! FFS.

[B160 AVE]

Don`t leave them sitting in the dishwasher wet when it finishes. As soon as it`s done, get it open and dry them off with a teatowel before putting them away.
Good luck!

[illmonkey]

dickymint said:

After you've polished them spray them with WD40 and put them in the drawer! FFS.

Whoa, calm down.

B160 AVE said:

Don`t leave them sitting in the dishwasher wet when it finishes. As soon as it`s done, get it open and dry them off with a teatowel before putting them away.
Good luck!

Humm, they are always dry as soon as it beeps.


I'll look into the salt setting. Would too much salt also cause everything to have a 'faded wash' look to them? Glasses look like they are covered in a frost.

[Simpo Two]

You're not using hydrofluoric acid are you?

But whatever it is, you're using too much or it's not rinsing or you're not using Rinse aid.

[illmonkey]

Simpo Two said:

You're not using hydrofluoric acid are you?

But whatever it is, you're using too much or it's not rinsing or you're not using Rinse aid.

I'll look at the products.

But we have basic waitrose salt in the salt bit. We use the fairy all in 1 tabs. And basic waitrose rinse aid.

[Targarama]

Is it 18/8 stainless steel or cheap stuff? I'm guessing the former, which won't last as long - especially after being blast cleaned in a dishwasher.

[zcacogp]

You'll probably reduce (or remove) the marks with a gentle rub with some vinegar on a soft cloth.

But, as has been said, you'll do well to get to the bottom of why it is happening.


Oli.

[eastlmark]

often rust marks like this are not from the thing that is marked but has migrated from something else you are washing at the same time. Screws on saucepan handles are the number one suspect.
Cheap diswashers use low grade stainless steel so it may be a rust point in the cavity itself that is migrating or maybe a bodged repair where an diy er (not an proper engineer!) may have used a steel screw instead of a stainless one, have a look under the filter for a rusty screw.
either that or just cheap cutlery.
The salt in the water softner will not come into contact with the stuff being washed, assuming you tighten the cap and rinse away any spilled salt after filling, the brine is only used to regenerate the resin. If you find the salt is being used stupidly fast, like gone in one wash, then there will be a problem with the softner. #1 cause of the frosted glasses is usually blocked spray arms, take them off and shake/poke out any bits inside and get them out the big hole in the centre.

Edited by eastlmark on Friday 10th June 09:39

[98elise]

illmonkey said:

Simpo Two said:

You're not using hydrofluoric acid are you?

But whatever it is, you're using too much or it's not rinsing or you're not using Rinse aid.

I'll look at the products.

But we have basic waitrose salt in the salt bit. We use the fairy all in 1 tabs. And basic waitrose rinse aid.

Expensive Tabs are normally the culprit, get your butler try a cheap brand and see if they are any better.

[Gingerbread Man]

Not Stellar cutlery is it?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

illmonkey said:

I'll look at the products.

But we have basic waitrose salt in the salt bit. We use the fairy all in 1 tabs. And basic waitrose rinse aid.

hang on your using extra salt with a tablet that has salt in it already and a rinse aid as well with a tablet that has it in too stop putting extra salt and rinse aid in it !!!

[illmonkey]

Gingerbread Man said:

Not Stellar cutlery is it?

Apparently it is, TK Maxx special when we moved in 5 years ago!

Trustmeimadoctor said:

illmonkey said:

I'll look at the products.

But we have basic waitrose salt in the salt bit. We use the fairy all in 1 tabs. And basic waitrose rinse aid.

hang on your using extra salt with a tablet that has salt in it already and a rinse aid as well with a tablet that has it in too stop putting extra salt and rinse aid in it !!!

The tabs are rubbish without this stuff. When it runs out you can really tell.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

its better ? your getting rust spots and clouding because of what your using lol seriously read the manual for your dishwasher make sure its setup for your water conditions

[illmonkey]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

its better ? your getting rust spots and clouding because of what your using lol seriously read the manual for your dishwasher make sure its setup for your water conditions

Ok, but the plates and glasses do not get clean and the glasses are covered in water marks.

[Gingerbread Man]

Gingerbread Man said:

Not Stellar cutlery is it?

illmonkey said:

Apparently it is, TK Maxx special when we moved in 5 years ago!

We have a few rust marks on a knife made by Stellar. Same people as sold at TK Maxx. A sub brand of Sabatier knifed I believe. We got a card in the presentation box stating they had a lifetime guarantee.
Kind of void though when they don't attach contact numbers and you can't find any information for them online.

If you come up with anything, I'd be interested to know.

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Wednesday 15th June 15:38

[illmonkey]

Box is long gone!

Looks like I'm buggered.