Visible rust spots or discoloration on the interior stainless steel tub or racks.

Safety first: Wear gloves when handling rusty or sharp metal surfaces.

Step-by-step checks:

• Identify source: Remove any rusty non-stainless items from the dishwasher (e.g., cheap knives, can lids).
• Rack repair: Inspect racks for chipped coating. Use a rack repair kit to cover exposed metal tines.
• Clean stains: Use a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner or a paste of baking soda and water to gently remove surface rust from the tub.
• Water quality: If you have high iron water, consider a whole-house or point-of-use iron filter.

Warning: Do not use steel wool or abrasive pads on stainless steel; they can cause permanent scratching and more rust.