GE dishwasher leaves spots, film or cloudy glassware: GE's troubleshooting table for the Profile PDT785 separates three kinds of glass problem. Spots and film usually mean extremely hard water, a low inlet temperature under 120 F, overloading, old or damp detergent or an empty rinse agent dispenser. Cloudiness is etching, which is permanent: it comes from a mix of soft water and too much detergent, or an entering water temperature above 150 F, so use less detergent and wash glassware in the shortest cycle that gets it clean. A white film that wipes off comes from low-quality phosphate-free detergent and is removed with citric acid or 1 cup of vinegar.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE dishwasher leaves spots, film or cloudy glassware”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Extremely hard water and too little rinse agent
What separates it Spots and film on glasses and flatware, and an empty rinse agent cup
How to confirm Use a high quality rinse agent; a softener may be required for extremely hard water
- 2
Etching from soft water and too much detergent
What separates it There is permanent cloudiness that vinegar does not remove because of etching from soft water and too much detergent
How to confirm Use less detergent with soft water and the shortest cycle that gets glassware clean
- 3
Water hotter than 150 F or colder than 120 F
What separates it There is etching from heat or film from cold water because the water is hotter than 150 F or colder than 120 F
How to confirm Set the water heater to between 120 F and 150 F
- 4
Low-quality phosphate-free detergent
What separates it A white film on dishes and the tub interior
How to confirm Run citric acid or a vinegar rinse and use a high quality detergent
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the cloudiness wipes off or is permanent
- Your water hardness in grains per gallon and whether a softener is fitted
- The detergent brand and amount and the entering water temperature
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck the water temperature
ReversibleEntering water should be at least 120 F (49 C) and not more than 150 F (66 C). Run the hot tap nearest the dishwasher into a glass with a thermometer until the temperature stops rising.
Fill the rinse agent
ReversibleThe rinse agent dispenser holds 3.5 oz (104 mL) and lasts about a month. Wipe up spills at once, since spilled rinse agent causes foaming.
Set the detergent amount
ReversibleFor fewer than 4 grains per gallon fill the cup 1/3, for 4 to 8 grains 2/3, for 8 to 12 grains fully, and above 12 grains fill the main and the pre-wash cup. Too much detergent with very soft water etches glass.
Remove film with citric acid or vinegar
ReversiblePour the citric acid (kit WD35X151) in the detergent cup, load filmed but clean glassware and dishware without silverware or metal, and run a full cycle with no detergent. Or pour 1 cup of vinegar in just after the detergent cup opens.
Load and clean the filters
ReversibleDo not overload; clean the Ultra-Fine and Fine Filters every other month or when dishes feel gritty.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Tools and supplies
- A flashlight, towels and a shallow pan, a candy or meat thermometer to check the water, a soft brush and warm soapy water for the filters, white vinegar or GE's citric acid kit WD35X151 and a small level. GE says to unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker before servicing, so these tools are for the owner checks below.
- Detergent amounts by water hardness
- GE's table: fewer than 4 grains per gallon, fill the cup 1/3 full; 4 to 8, 2/3 full; 8 to 12, completely full; greater than 12, fill both the main wash cup and the pre-wash cup. Use it as a starting point, then adjust. Tablets and packets do not use the pre-wash compartment.
- Parts for this problem on the PDT785 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- detergent dispenser assembly, part number WD12X32799, at $45.70; user cleanable fine filter and basket asm, part number WD12X25995, at $27.56.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models PDT755, GDP665, GDT670, GDT650, GDF650, GDF510.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If glassware stays cloudy after a citric acid or vinegar clean, it is etching and cannot be reversed
- !If film returns immediately in extremely hard water, fit a water softener
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
GE Appliances' own support articles for dishwashers; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
GE's own page for the Profile PDT785 with its installation guide and specifications.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I tell film from etching?+
Film wipes off with citric acid or vinegar. Etching is permanent cloudiness caused by soft water and too much detergent, or water above 150 F.
How do I remove a white film?+
Run the filmed dishes through a cycle with citric acid, or use 1 cup of vinegar as the detergent cup opens.
What water temperature does GE want?+
At least 120 F and not more than 150 F.
How long does the rinse agent last?+
About a month under normal conditions; the dispenser holds 3.5 oz.
Where do I buy the citric acid?+
GE Appliances kit WD35X151 through GE Parts, or use a Cascade or Finish dishwasher cleaner.
Does the dishwasher need a water test?+
A hard water test strip is available from GE, part WD01X10295.