How to Delime a Commercial Dishwasher (and Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until It’s a Problem)
If your commercial dishwasher is looking a little crusty or your glassware isn’t coming out as sparkling as it used to, it might be time to talk about a not-so-glamorous but incredibly important part of kitchen maintenance: deliming.
At EnviroCare, we see it all the time—dishwashers slowly losing efficiency because of scale buildup that could’ve been prevented. Whether you’re running a bustling school cafeteria, a retirement community kitchen, or a fast-paced restaurant, your dishwasher works hard. Keeping it in top shape helps everything (and everyone) run smoother.
What Is Limescale, and Why Should You Care?
Limescale is the chalky white stuff that builds up inside your dishwasher, especially around heating elements and water jets. It comes from minerals in hard water—calcium and magnesium being the biggest culprits. Over time, that buildup clogs components, shortens the life of your machine, and makes your dishes look cloudy, no matter how many rinse cycles you run.
Signs Your Dishwasher Needs Deliming
You don’t need to be a technician to spot the early warning signs:
Cloudy glassware or white film on dishes
Dishes that come out feeling “gritty” or not fully clean
Slower cycle times or inconsistent heating
White crust around spray arms or heating elements
If you’re seeing any of these, it’s time to delime—and fast.
How to Delime Your Commercial Dishwasher
We always recommend working with a service professional (hey, that’s us!) to delime your machine safely and thoroughly. But if you're tackling this in-house, here’s a general guide:
Empty the Machine
Remove all racks, trays, and detachable parts.Power Down
Turn off the dishwasher completely and follow the manufacturer’s safety protocols.Add Deliming Solution
Use a commercial-grade delimer recommended for your unit. Never substitute with bleach or vinegar—they can damage components.Run a Cleaning Cycle
Most commercial units have a delime cycle. Run it as directed, then flush the machine with clean water.Inspect and Reassemble
Rinse and wipe down all removable parts, then reassemble. Run an empty cycle with clean water to be sure all chemicals are rinsed out.
Don’t Wait Until It’s a Repair Call
Deliming isn’t just a cosmetic fix—it’s a critical part of preventative maintenance. Letting limescale build up can damage heating elements, block jets, and cause expensive breakdowns that could’ve been avoided.
The best way to stay ahead of it? Regular preventative maintenance. At EnviroCare, our service techs don’t just respond to emergencies—we help you avoid them entirely. We’ll keep your dishwasher (and the rest of your kitchen equipment) operating like it should, with routine inspections, deep cleaning, and proactive service.
Need Help? We’re Just a Call Away
If it’s been a while since your last delime—or you’re not sure if it’s ever been done—it’s time to get a maintenance visit on the books. Our expert team works with all major commercial dishwasher brands and understands the specific needs of kitchens like yours.
Let’s keep things clean, efficient, and running on time. Schedule your preventative maintenance with EnviroCare today.