The Proper Use of a Dishwasher

Pre-Washing

• When it comes to putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher, you either rinse or you don't. Those who don’t arguing that rinsing amounts to washing the dishes yourself, while those who do claim dishwashers won’t get the dishes truly clean without a pre-rinse. Technically, both approaches apply. As a rule of thumb, if you plan to start the dishwasher immediately after loading it, simply scraping off the large food particles should be sufficient. However, if the dishes will sit for a while before you run the cycle, you should rinse off as much debris as possible to ensure that it doesn’t dry on, making it harder for the dishwasher to clean.

Loading

• How you load the dishwasher makes a big difference in how clean the dishes get. Load plates and bowls in the bottom rack, with the soiled side facing the spray. Place serving platters and flat pans, such as casserole dishes, on the sides and edges of the dishwasher; don’t put large items in the front of the rack where they could prevent the soap from reaching the dishes. Glasses go on the top rack, between the tines. Leave plenty of space between wineglasses, so they don’t bang into each other and break. And when you’re loading silverware, make sure that the forks and spoons don’t clump together; put just a few pieces in each section, and place some items with the handles up and some with the handles down to ensure that everything gets clean.

Detergent

• Whether you choose to use a liquid, powder or packet-type detergent depends on your personal preference and budget. Some brands work better in some dishwashers, and react with hard or soft water differently, so experiment with brands until you find one that you like. In general, gels work best in soft water, while powders are suitable for hard water. Avoid adding too much soap; fill the soap dispenser just to the fill line. Too much soap can leave a residue on the dishes. A rinse aid, added to the dispenser in the washer, helps the rinse water sheet off the dishes instead of creating droplets, which prevents spots on your glasses and helps dishes dry faster. Rinse aids are especially important if you have hard water. Never use regular dish soap or other detergents in the dishwasher, as they create too many suds.

Hand-Wash Items

• While most dishes can go in the dishwasher, some items should be washed by hand. Never put anything made from aluminum, tin, brass, bronze, pewter or cast iron in the dishwasher. Antique items, crystal and china with metallic decorations should also be washed by hand. Wooden items, including utensils with wood-inlaid handles, and non-stick pans can be damaged in the dishwasher, and you should wash your knives by hand to avoid dulling them. Never mix sterling or silver-plated flatware with stainless steel items in the dishwasher. If the metals contact each other, a reaction could cause the silver to pit.