How to load a dishwasher the right way
Have you ever wondered how to properly load a dishwasher? Most of us use our dishwasher almost every day, and yet the device remains a mystery to many even after many years. Do the pans go up or down? In which direction do the forks point? How do you get the glasses to really sparkle? We admit that we have asked ourselves these questions more than once.
To get the most out of your best dishwasher and avoid having to re-wash dirty dishes, follow this simple step-by-step guide recommended by a home care expert with over 30 years in the industry for using this handy appliance a snap is how it should be!
How to load a dishwasher
Proper dishwasher loading makes a big difference in how clean your dishes come out and how well your dishwasher performs in general. As home maintenance expert Jack Williams explains, “If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes as well as you’d like, you might be inclined to blame the machine or your brand of detergent. However, the problem could just be in the way you stack the machine.”
So how do you load your dishwasher correctly?
1. First, load the lower basket with pots and pans
If you need to wash heavy pots and pans, they should always be placed on the lower basket of your machine. Save the top basket for more delicate items. There are some types of pots and pans that you shouldn’t put in the dishwasher. These include cast iron and aluminum, according to Williams. Cast iron is a bit more complicated to clean and items should only be hand washed because “if cast iron goes in the dishwasher it will rust and lose flavor”. Aluminum pots “scratch easily and may develop a poor gloss or darken hue”.
2. Make sure all dishes are facing the center of the machine
This step is very important if you want to thoroughly clean your dishes. According to Williams, arranging the dishes so that they face the center of the machine is crucial, “since the spray arm moves in a circular pattern, plates that are not facing the center will be washed thoroughly on the wrong side.”
3. Place plastic containers on top grid
All food storage and containers such as Tupperware should be on top. The reason for this is that “the heating unit sits at the bottom” and plastics and polymers are sensitive to heat. So they should be “placed on the top rack so they don’t melt”.
4. Load the glasses
Now comes the glasses. Not many people know this, but glasses should be placed “between the tines and not over them” on the top rack. To prevent water from pooling inside, place all jars at a 45-degree angle.
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)
5. Load the cutlery
Finally, it’s time to load the cutlery. “In order not to nestle in an overcrowded utensil basket, forks and spoons should point upwards. This also keeps the basket from getting in the way when you’re rinsing, ensuring utensil heads are clean. If you have a lot of cutlery to wash, spread it out (to avoid nesting) or alternate heads down and heads up.’
Jack Williams is the CEO of HandymanReviewed (opens in new tab), which aims to provide the best home improvement service reviews and feedback worldwide. Jack has been in the repair and maintenance business for over 30 years.
Why is this the most efficient method of loading a dishwasher?
It is important to follow the correct method when loading your dishwasher. Williams says that “a dishwasher can greatly improve your cleaning routine and free up time for other activities. We love our dishwasher, but it’s critical that we understand how to clean, load and operate it properly.” An improperly loaded dishwasher will give poor results and even cost more to run. And if you’re wondering whether dishwashing or washing your hands is best for your energy use and bill, a lot hinges on loading your appliance properly in the first place.
What are the most common diskloading errors?
We’ve all made them, but avoiding these common dishwasher mistakes will help you avoid having to re-rinse your dishes and/or a dishwasher that won’t drain:
- overcrowding: “Resist the desire to overfill the dishwasher. If one thing completely blocks another, neither will be completely clean.’
- pre-rinse: Some people may be shocked by this since they always pre-flushed, but “this practice is unnecessary and unproductive. Most modern dishwashers have a sensor that analyzes the water to calculate how long the cycle should last and how much water is needed for a full clean.”
- Stack: ‘Every item needs space around it for water and detergent to clean it.’
- Don’t wait for the dishwasher to be full: “Avoid running a half-empty dishwasher. You can save money and energy by waiting until the next day to run it.’
- positioning your Dishwasher next to yours refrigerator: ‘To stay cool, your fridge has to use more energy, wasting energy and costing you more money.’
- Overfilling the cutlery basket: ‘If you like to cuddle your cutlery, it won’t get clean because water needs space, which it doesn’t find when the cutlery is nestled together.’
Do I need rinse aid?
Many people wonder if they need to refill rinse aid after loading their dishwasher. The answer is: it entirely depends on how hard the water is where you live. Hard water = rinse aid required, otherwise your glasses will be streaked with residue. Soft water = your dishwashing tabs should do the trick.
Note on the operating instructions for the dishwasher
Williams has words of wisdom for anyone who has thrown away their dishwasher manual: “Since we all know how to use a dishwasher, the Handy Dishwashing Manual is perhaps one of the most underrated instructional books known to man. However, read it! And listen to his wise advice! Every dishwasher is unique and its manual will best guide you to what it prefers.’ So even if you think you know exactly how to load a dishwasher, take the time to read the instruction manual just to be on the safe side.
Words to look out for. Enjoy reading the user manual!