KitchenAid KUDS01FK manual Rinse Aid Dispenser, How much detergent to use, Water Hardness

How much detergent to use

■The amount of detergent to use depends on the hardness of your water and the type of detergent. If you use too little, dishes won’t be clean. If you use too much in soft water, glassware will etch.

■Water hardness can change over a period of time. Find out your water’s hardness by asking your local water department, water softener company, or county extension agent.

■You can order a water hardness test strip. In the

U.S.A., call the Customer Interaction Center and ask for Part Number 4171690.

■Different brands of dishwasher detergent have different amounts of phosphorus for softening water. If you have hard water and use a detergent with a phosphorous content of less than 8.7%, you might need to use more detergent, or use a detergent with a phosphorous content higher than 8.7%.

Water Hardness Amount of Detergent

Rinse Aid Dispenser

Rinse aids prevent water from forming droplets that can dry as spots or streaks. They also improve drying by allowing water to drain off of the dishes during the final rinse by releasing a small amount of the rinse aid into the rinse water. Your dishwasher is designed to use a liquid rinse aid. Do not use a solid or bar-type.

Filling the dispenser

The rinse aid dispenser holds 4.8 oz (145 mL) of rinse aid. Under normal conditions, this will last for about three months. You do not have to wait until the dispenser is empty to refill it. Try to keep it full, but be careful not to overfill it.

1.Make sure the dishwasher door is fully open.

2.Open the dispenser by pushing the cover latch.

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Soft to Medium Hard Water

0 to 6 grains per gallon

For normally soiled loads

■Partially fill the Main Wash section (5 tsp or 25 g)

■Fill the Pre-Wash section (4 tsp or 20 g)

NOTE: Add only 2 tsp or 10 g of detergent to the Pre-Wash section if dishes are pre-rinsed or the water is very soft (0 to 2 grains per gallon).

For heavily soiled loads

■Partially fill the Main Wash section (7 tsp or 35 g)

■Fill the Pre-Wash section (4 tsp or 20 g)

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1.Cover latch

2.Rinse aid dispenser

3.Indicator window

3.Add rinse aid until the indicator window looks full.

4.Clean up any spilled rinse aid with a damp cloth.

5.Close the cover.

NOTE: The cover latch clicks when the cover is closed and latched.

Rinse aid setting

Medium to Hard	For normal and heavily
Water	soiled loads
7 to 12 grains per	■ Partially fill the Main Wash
gallon	section (7 tsp or 35 g)
	■ Fill the Pre-Wash section
	(4 tsp or 20 g)

The amount of rinse aid released into the final wash can be adjusted. The factory setting is at 2. For most water conditions, set the adjuster to 1 or 2. If there are rings or calcium (hard water) spots on dishes, try a higher setting.

Very Hard Water

13 grains per gallon and above

NOTE: It might be necessary to use the Heavy cycle, or a normal cycle with Hi-Temp Wash, for best wash performance with very hard water.

For normally and heavily soiled loads

■Fill the Main Wash section (8 tsp or 40 g)

■Fill the Pre-Wash section (4 tsp or 20 g)

■Turn the rinse aid dispenser to a higher setting. See “Rinse Aid Dispenser” later in this section.

To adjust the setting

Open the dispenser cover. Turn the adjuster inside the dispenser to the desired setting.

NOTE: Fill amounts shown are for standard powdered detergent. Amounts may vary if you use liquid or concentrated powdered detergent. Follow instructions on the package when using liquid dishwasher detergent or concentrated powdered detergent.

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