White stuff on dishes
 

Our machine is 12 years old but has always done a good job on the dishes. All of a sudden its leaving heavy white deposits on everything and they are not coming off.

Any suggestions?

Before you go and take the thing apart, check the label on the dishwashing detergent. Up here, the stuff with phosphates has been banned and subsequently the dishes are not coming as clean.

If the label says phosphate free, Id try a different brand. The only brand that works for me since the ban is Finish-Quantum-powerball

Mine has been doing the same thing, and it's only a few years old. What works for me though is if I do a hot wash or heavy wash cycle the white deposits don't show up.

Mine does that when the holes in the arms are clogged. I take the arms out and run water through them under the sink to find the clogs, then use tweezers to pull the particles out of the holes. It's usually something like a popcorn hull. Reinstall and fixed! I use the opportunity to clean out any traps, etc. at the same time.

Vinegar will also remove any white deposits you have on your dishes or silverware. We found we need to do that before they'll ever come clean again once it's coated, especially the silverware.

Piano lady is right. Lime scale deposits are typically the culprit. Clean the wash arms and sump and run a few loads of vinegar.