Dishwasher loading: best practices to follow

Looking to load your dishwasher like a pro and keep it running smoothly? You’re in the right spot. While a lot of us don’t care much about properly loading our dishwashers, it’s crucial for getting the dishes spotless and avoiding costly repairs.

Dishwasher loading basically means arranging your dishes, utensils, and cookware within the dishwasher properly to ensure optimal water and detergent distribution. By following the right techniques, you can not only save water and energy but also prevent food particles from clogging the filters and spray arms. Here are some of the best dishwasher loading practices to transform your dishwashing routine.

Best dishwasher loading practices

Properly loading your dishwasher can help you get sparkling clean dishes, save energy, and keep your appliance in top shape.

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Before you load up, make sure to remove any big food chunks from the plates as it can clog the filters. With that out of the way, here are the best tips for loading your dishwasher, to get the best results every time.

1. Load only load dishwasher-safe items

One of the best and most common dishwasher loading practices is to always check that your items are dishwasher safe, and be aware of what cannot go in the dishwasher.

Hand wash nonstick cookware, kitchen knives, delicate glassware and similar items, as the dishwasher can ruin their finish or cause damage. Also, make sure to always wash things like burnt pans or pots by hand to avoid damaging them.

2. Avoid blocking the sprayer arms

Another pro tip would be to not block the sprayer arms. These are the jets that clean and rinse your dishes, so if they’re obstructed, your dishes won’t come out as clean. If your dishwasher has more than one sprayer arm, make sure to load your top and bottom racks carefully to keep them free from any obstructions.

3. No need to pre-wash before loading the dishes

You also don’t need to pre-rinse your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. The dishwasher detergent is designed specifically to work with the food particles on your dirty dishes, so rinsing them can actually mess with the cleaning process.

Many dishwashers come with a Soil Sensor that checks how dirty your dishes are and adjusts the cycle to get them sparkling clean.

4. Don’t overload it

Give your dishes room to breathe and avoid overcrowding the dishwasher. Loading too many items in the dishwasher can trap the spray arms or cause leaks. Piling dishes on top of each other in the dishwasher can also block the jets and leave them less clean.

5. Turn dishes inward

To get the best cleaning, always make sure to place your dishes with the dirty sides facing the centre of the dishwasher.

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The water jets on the rotating spray arm shoot water upward, so this placement ensures they are washed and rinsed effectively.

6. Proper tine placement

Last but not least, use dishwasher tines wisely. These are the little sticks on the upper and lower racks that hold and separate your dishware. To load your dishwasher properly, fit items between the tines to keep them from bumping into each other or tipping over. Some dishwasher models come with folding tines, which basically let you create extra space for larger dishes or securely hold smaller items.

With these practices, you can ensure you dishwasher lasts you for a long time, and cleans your dishes quickly, thoroughly and efficiently, each time.