Last Updated on October 27, 2022 by Claire
Bosch dishwashers are undoubtedly one of the best brands of dishwashers out there. They are however not without problems. The Bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap is one such problem.
Thankfully, with regular, proactive maintenance, you can be able to avoid most of the problems associated with Bosch dishwashers.
The Bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap is not an irreparable problem. Instead, this can be resolved by first identifying the cause of the problem. Failure to fix this is one of the main reasons your dishes might taste like soap after cooking.
This and other related issues are well addressed in this article. Keep reading to find out how to identify and fix the common problems of bosch dishwashers. This would save you ample time trying to remove the soap taste from food.
Reasons for Bosch Dishwasher Not Rinsing Soap
Sometimes, your dishes may have remnants of the soap or detergent after rinsing in the bosch dishwasher. This problem results from a malfunction of the water system.
You do not have to replace the dishwasher as the problem can be fixed easily. The first step is to identify the source of the problem and to change how you make use of the bosch dishwasher
The malfunctioning of the water system may manifest in the form of :
- Broken or blocked spray arm
- Low water pressure
- Faulty inlet valve
- Low heat
Broken or blocked spray arm
One of the common causes of a bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap is a broken or blocked spray arm. The spray arm is responsible for the even distribution of water to properly clean and rinse the dishes. Spray arms can get damaged, in which case water will fail to be evenly distributed.
Food debris and similar material can also clog and block the spray arm. Unlike a broken spray arm, clogging or blockade can be fixed easily with simple tools. However, a broken arm ideally should be replaced.

Bosch dishwasher spray arm
How to unblock the spray arm:
- Bosch dishwasher has two sorry arms, the upper and lower spray arm. The upper spray arm is held in place by a screw. Unscrew the upper spray and dismount the lower spray arm
- Unclog the spray arm nozzle by using materials such as toothpicks, tweezers, or similar material
- Next, place the spray arm under running water and rinse thoroughly. Ensure all residual dirt is removed from the nozzle
- Place the upper and lower arm back in position. Secure the upper arm with a clip.
The spray issues should be fixed after this. Test run to ensure there is an even distribution of water.
Low Heat
The non-availability of water at the very start of the wash cycle causes the problem of the bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap. This is attributed to the temperature of the water.
The optimal temperature of water for bosch dishwashers is temperature starting from 120F.
How to Fix Low Heat
The house water heater should be monitored serially to ensure the water temperature is kept within the optimal range.
Low Water Pressure
The cleaning power of the bosch dishwasher is highly dependent on the water pressure. Bosch dishwashers have an inlet valve that controls the release of water. The valve on the other hand can only be opened by a water pressure of at least 20 psi and above.
Water pressure below this may fail to open the inlet valve sufficient enough to let out water. This reduces the cleaning power of the machine considerably.
How to Fix Low Water Pressure
Problems with water pressure are traced back to the central home water system. This may require expertise to fix.
Faulty inlet valve
Sometimes, the problem with the inlet valve is not low water pressure, rather the valve itself may be fair. Problems such as bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap can be traced to a faulty inlet valve. While attempting to identify the cause of the problem, inspect the inlet valve for signs of damage.
How to Fix Faulty Inlet Valve
If the inlet valve is broken, it will need to be replaced or fixed immediately.
Alternatively, the problem of the bosch dishwasher not rinsing soap can be resolved by installing a rinse aid. Visit the user manual guide of the Bosch dishwasher to find out how to install the rinse aid.
Problems with Filter
The filter of the bosch dishwasher helps to rinse soap properly from dishes inside the dishwasher. Due to continuous usage, the filter might get damaged, making the bosch dishwasher not rinse soap properly again. But in many cases, the filter gets clogged, with debris, thereby blocking sufficient water from reaching the dishes and rinsing them properly. How do you fix this?
How to fix the Dishwater Filter
First, the filter has to be cleaned.
You have to remove the filter from the bottom of the tub in the dishwater. To remove a filter from its housing, a few screws must first be removed from the filter.
To clean the dirt you can see from the top of the filter, Bosch advises using a toothbrush. Additionally, give the housing a thorough brushing. To remove tough clumps of food or mineral deposits, dunk the brush in mild dishwashing liquid or dishwasher detergent powder. Clean the filter housing and rinse the filter to remove any soap scum.
There might be a lot of filters within the dishwasher. Consult the manual or look up the model number online to find the filters and discover how to properly clean them.
Why your bosch dishwasher is not cleaning
Problem with the detergent dispenser
One of the primary causes of the bosch dishwasher not cleaning is a problem with the detergent dispenser. This is the component of the bosch dishwasher that releases the detergent or soap mixture used in cleaning the dishes.
Even if all components of the bosch dishwasher are in good working condition, without the detergent dispenser, there will be no soap to wash the dishes. The dispenser must open at the start of the wash cycle to adequately wash the dishes.
Upon inspection, you may find the dispenser blocked by food debris and dirt. Using the appropriate tool, unclog the dispenser and remove all residual food remnants. However, if the problem persists, consider replacing the dispenser.
Overloading the machine
One of the inappropriate practices which you must learn to avoid is the overlapping bosch dishwasher. When this happens, some of the dishes may block the spray arm and reduce the cleaning capacity of the dishwasher. The same effect is seen when the dishes are loaded inappropriately, placing the big-size dishes on the upper deck.
While loading the dishes in the dishwasher, adequate space should be allowed between them. This way, water, and detergent can get to every single one of them as the spray arm is spared.
Do not pre-rinse the dishes. This is because the detergent requires something to latch onto. You can scrape the excess food from the dishes before washing them in the dishwasher.
How to Improve the Efficiency of The bosch dishwasher
There are strategic components of the bosch dishwasher that should be cleaned at least every 3 to 6 months to ensure efficient functioning of the dishwasher.
The filter keeps away dirt and debris from the machine. It can however get clogged after a while. The filter can be identified using the user manual. It is usually located at the bottom of the machine. The filter can be unclogged using materials such as a toothbrush
The spray arm is crucial to the cleaning capacity of the bosch dishwasher. Its nozzle should be cleaned using a toothpick or something similar.
Final word
When the bosch dishwasher fails to rinse soap, a few tricks such as unclogging the spray arm, installing of rinse aid, and fixing other water malfunctioning problems can get the machine working efficiently once more.