Do Dishwashers Work Better with Some Debris on the Dishes?

Preparation

• Rinsing dishes before cleaning them in a dishwasher is not necessary, but food should be scraped from plates and liquids emptied from glasses and cups. Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes that are dirty but free of extensive debris.

Settings

• Dishwashers use hot water to melt dishwasher detergent while cleaning dishes. Most dishwasher manufacturers recommend using a water heating setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Some dishwashers feature built-in booster heaters that heat water for optimum use in the dishwasher. Short wash cycles are fine for many full dishwasher loads, although all dishwashers have options for longer wash cycles.

Efficiency

• Simply scraping dishes before placing them in the dishwasher helps to conserve water. People who insist on pre-rinsing items can use cold water to save energy. Using dishwasher detergent that is fresh and dry is also important. Old, lumpy detergent is harder to dissolve and may not clean dishes effectively. Poor detergent can leave a gritty residue on dishes, making another cleaning session necessary.

Tips

• You can test the temperature of water entering the dishwasher by turning on the faucet closet to the dishwasher. Place a meat thermometer into a glass, and allow the water to run into the glass. Stop the water when the temperature on the thermometer stops rising. Water temperature should range from 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for a dishwasher to operate effectively. One dishwasher manufacturer recommends running water in the sink until it gets hot before starting the dishwasher. Doing so allows the dishwasher to receive hot water immediately, resulting in energy cost savings. Regardless of debris, glasses, saucers and cups go on the dishwasher's top rack. Dishes and other items go on its lower racks.