For most people, the wrong way to load a dishwasher is whatever method everyone else uses. But as it turns out, there are universally incorrect ways to use your dishwasher – ways we’ll point out and then help you to correct in this article.
Rinsing
Back in ancient times, dishwashers weren’t as capable when it came to removing the more persistent food debris on dishes. A pre-emptive rinse of the dishes has helped alleviate this problem for our old reliable dishwashers, but this method proves to be rather wasteful nowadays.
A modern fully integrated dishwasher model is far more capable of deep-cleaning dishes, being designed to expel those tenacious stains, saving you time and money spent rinsing. You can find models for these online, such as at Wellingtons Home Electrical.
It’s still important to scrape plates beforehand and empty the filter in your dishwasher from time to time, but the days of rinsing are long gone.
Proper loading
Again, we’ve all got our beliefs on where specific utensils and dishes should go, but these general rules will ensure you’re making the most of your washes.
Loading your dishes with their surfaces facing downwards will get you the best results and prevent dirty water from being trapped.
Cycle options are also worth considering, and could actually be saving you lots of money. Eco settings in particular are great for overnight washes, using less water and energy in exchange for a little more time to clean up – it’s not like you’ll need an extra fork in the early hours, anyway.
Forks and spoons should be inserted into the cutlery tray handle-first, but knives should have their blades pointed downwards. This allows for deep-cleaning between the tongs and within the bowls. Knives are easier to clean in general, and this tip is mostly to avoid accidental injury.
Spray arms also need to be unobstructed, so try not to tower your pots and pans atop one another. Overloading is generally ill advised, and so is blocking dishes with other dishes, so make sure to space them out evenly.