# The inside of my dishwasher is orange. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 10, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895 "2006-07-10T17:10:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/1 "2006-07-10T17:10:18Z")
And I didn’t order it like that. I can only assume that someone either put a bowlful of pasta sauce or carrots in the damn thing and ran it. I have run a cycle with vinegar and a cycle with bleach, neither of which seems to have fixed the problem (both made it only slightly better). Any suggestions? (I know it’s not rust in the water, because my toilet water was not orange, and I have a whole-house filtration system that’s supposed to prevent that) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/2 "2006-07-10T17:31:43Z")
Tomato sauce in sufficient quantity would do that, although would have to be more than what is normally left on dishes. Not so sure about carrots. However, it would also affect some kinds of dishes and cookware, especially plastic. Anything else orange? It shouldn’t cause any problems but if you don’t like it I would clean it by hand with a sponge dipped in a solution of about 1 oz. bleach to 1 cup water, rather than just putting bleach in the wash cycle. (See the bleach bottle for the best proportion.) The inside of your dishwasher is probably white plastic, which is a bear to de-stain. You could also try Softscrub with Bleach although that would require more thorough rinsing. “Someone”? You don’t know who has access to your dishwasher? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/3 "2006-07-10T17:38:12Z")
Ah, my good fellow, you see, one does not hastren to criticise one’s wife, who does most of the dishwasher loading, when referring to problems of this nature. One simply wonders what has happened, and tries to correct the result. Also, I have used Clorox Clean-up and allowed it to soak the inside (which is, indeed, plastic). This also lightened things somewhat. I wonder if the “plastic booster” dish detergent would be of use in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/4 "2006-07-10T17:47:59Z")
There is a dishwasher product called \*\*Glisten \*\* for removing water staining (usually Orangey Brown). It does a great job and is relatively cheap. Under $10 for two packets IRC. We needed it often in the old house with well water. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/5 "2006-07-10T17:50:27Z")
I’ve _heard_ (don’t have a dishwasher myself right now) that scrubbing with baking soda works well. At least, my dad was satisfied with the results the last time he tried it. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/6 "2006-07-10T18:14:10Z")
Ouch. I suppose it depends on the interior of your dishwasher. Porcelain may stand up to such an abrasive scrubbing. I am sure plastic would look like shit afterward. I just did some reading up on Cascade Plastic Booster, and people claim that it also cleans stains from inside the dishwasher. I might have to order some of that. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/7 "2006-07-10T18:31:10Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Ah, my good fellow, you see, one does not hastren to criticise one’s wife. . . . Ah, yes, I’m quite familiar with the phenomenon, such as the time my white socks & underwear came out pink. . . .One false step and you will be washing dishes by hand the rest of your days. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/8 "2006-07-10T21:55:16Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Ouch. I suppose it depends on the interior of your dishwasher. Porcelain may stand up to such an abrasive scrubbing. I am sure plastic would look like shit afterward. > I just did some reading up on Cascade Plastic Booster, and people claim that it also cleans stains from inside the dishwasher. I might have to order some of that. Looks like its use Plastic Booster till the stain comes out, next year? Alternative is buy a new one and wipe the pasta sauce off the dishes BEFORE washing. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/9 "2006-07-10T21:58:29Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > There is a dishwasher product called \*\*Glisten \*\* for removing water staining (usually Orangey Brown). It does a great job and is relatively cheap. Under $10 for two packets IRC. We needed it often in the old house with well water. > > Jim Hello is this mike on? Go to the Supermarket and look for [Glisten](http://a-1catalog.com/glisdisclean.html). It is cheap and will probably work. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/10 "2006-07-10T22:18:13Z")
I’ve used something similar to Glisten. It’s in a little bottle. You take off the protective sticker, put it in the silverware basket upside down, run the machine (EMPTY…NO DISHES PLEASE) and it comes out faaabulously clean. I have very rusty water, so I know how ugly the interior can get. This stuff works. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/11 "2006-07-11T01:37:43Z")
You probably don’t want to know this, but our bathtub tiles, wall tiles, shower footmat and damn near everything except the surface of liquid clorox itself has a thin skimmy slippery layer of orange fungus. It’s mildew of some sort. I live in the land that just had 34 days of rain in June. Maybe we have varieties of fungus that hadn’t hitherto evolved. But betcher ass that if it had an opportunity to spread, it woud’ve. I wouldn’t stand too close to it either. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/12 "2006-07-11T01:47:08Z")
I understand that there’s this product called “Glisten” that works exceptionally well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/13 "2006-07-11T01:48:42Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > You probably don’t want to know this, but our bathtub tiles, wall tiles, shower footmat and damn near everything except the surface of liquid clorox itself has a thin skimmy slippery layer of orange fungus. It’s mildew of some sort. > > I live in the land that just had 34 days of rain in June. Maybe we have varieties of fungus that hadn’t hitherto evolved. But betcher ass that if it had an opportunity to spread, it woud’ve. > > I wouldn’t stand too close to it either. The \*\*Works \*\* will kill that crap, but it also might eat old grout. So if you choose to use it, use it in small experimental patches first. Jim ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/14 "2006-07-11T03:02:43Z")
What about Glisten? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/15 "2006-07-11T03:10:10Z")
> [@Shoshana](#): > > What about Glisten? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/16 "2006-07-11T13:13:21Z")
I homebrew, and on a message board about that, someone said they tried PBW (Powdered Brewers Wash) in their dishwasher once when they were out of soap. They said the dishes got really clean, and so did the dishwasher. If you have a nearby homebrew shop (and don’t want to buy Glisten), maybe that would work. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/17 "2006-07-11T13:37:28Z")
There is this product that is teh shitz for cleaning dishwasherz. I think it’s called ‘Shiney’ or sumpthen like dat. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/18 "2006-07-11T13:58:53Z")
😕 Why the hell do you care if the inside of your dishwasher is orange? Does it still wash dishes? (I turned the inside of the dishwasher orange once. It washed itself off in about three washes, without any fancy cleaners or scrubbing. There’s very little out there more caustic or better cleaning than dishwasher detergent itself.) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/19 "2006-07-11T14:19:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I know it’s not rust in the water, because my toilet water was not orange, and I have a whole-house filtration system that’s supposed to prevent that) You say this, but I speak from experience in stating that you water may be discoloring your dishwasher even if this doesn’t manifest itself elsewhere in the house. My wife’s family’s house used treated and filtered well water. The interior of their disdhwasher was an unbelievably dark and disgusting brown color. This showed up in none of the sinks or bathrooms (although the old bathtub _did_ have bluish-green staining, presumably from the copper). In our current house, using Massachusetts water ultimately from the Quabbin reservoir, our dishwasher has stained a light orangish brown, which we don’t see elsewhere. I gather that this came on suddenly, though. If so, I don’t know what caused it. But is it possible this has been going on for some time, and you just noticed it? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895/20 "2006-07-11T14:28:56Z")
Putting Tang in the the detergent place then running a cycle can work wonders for cleaning dishwashers of old stains. For those of you with iron staining use a product with sodium-hydrosulfate such as iron out or rust raze. Follow the instructions. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-inside-of-my-dishwasher-is-orange/363895.md?page=2)