If your dishes or glassware appear filmy or spotted following a complete wash cycle, adjusting the amount or type of detergent you're using and adjusting your hot water heater's water temperature may solve the problem. But before you do either of these, put a rinse additive (such as Jet-Dry) in the rinse dispenser to improve the sheeting action of the water.

First you'll have to determine whether the film is removable or permanently etched. To do this, soak a glass in undiluted white vinegar for about 15 minutes. Or, you can wash the glass with warm water and concentrated dishwasher detergent or use a high-phosphate detergent (such as Glass Magic) according to label directions.

If film comes off, it is probably caused by hard water minerals, improper amounts of detergent, or unsuitable water temperature. For more, see "Dishwasher Doesn't Wash Well."

Permanent etching is often caused by a combination of soft water and excessive heat or detergent. If glassware is permanently etched, there isn't anything you can do to make it clear again. But you can avoid future etching by taking these steps:

1) Be sure hot water entering the dishwasher is no hotter than 140 degrees F. Don't use extra-hot settings, such as "Power Scrub," and use the "Energy Saver" dry cycle.

2) Adjust detergent amount.

3) Don't pre-rinse your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. Food particles on the dishes actually help the detergent and drying agents clean better.