Do you put glasses on the tines of your dishwasher’s top rack upside down? If so, you’re doing it incorrectly. Continue reading to find out what other mistakes you’re making when loading your dishwasher and how to fix them so you can get cleaner dishes in fewer loads.
Dishwasher Prep
If your dishwasher is dirty, how is it supposed to clean your dishes? Before loading your dishwasher, it is important to make sure it is clear of old food and residue. To do this, first, locate and clean out the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher. Then wipe down the inside of the dishwasher with a damp rag, including the sprayer arm, racks, and the seal around the door.
Glasses
Plastic cups, glasses and mugs should be loaded on the top rack of your dishwasher, not over the tines but next to them, to ensure more space for more dishes. They should be placed upside down so that the inside of the glasses gets the most spray.
Plates for Dinner
Large plates should go on the bottom rack of your dishwasher, but not all facing the same way. To ensure that the side you eat from receives the most spray during the wash cycle, turn your plates inward toward the middle of the rack.
Small Bowls
Single-serving bowls can be loaded on the top rack of your dishwasher. To save space, they should be shingled together (or slightly overlapped), but like large plates, try to keep them facing toward the center of the rack to receive the maximum spray.
Large Utensils
Spatulas, serving spoons and other large utensils should not be loaded with the rest of your silverware, as they are too tall and can get in the way of your dishwasher’s spray arm. They should be loaded flat on the top rack, and make sure to keep them spaced out so all surfaces get clean.
Silverware
Forks, spoons, and small knives can be loaded in the designated silverware compartment of your dishwasher. However, if your compartment doesn’t have slots that separate each piece of silverware, you should arrange them so that they are not all facing the same direction. Load some with the handles down and some with the handles up to keep them from sticking together.
Baking Dishes
Only those labeled “dishwasher safe” should be loaded into your dishwasher, and facing inward along the outer edge of the bottom rack is the best location. Their baking dishes will get the maximum spray and won’t block soap and water from reaching your other dishes.
Water Bottles
Make sure your water bottles are labeled “dishwasher safe” before loading them on the bottom rack. And just like your drinking glasses and mugs, water bottles should be placed upside down beside (not over) the tines on the rack. This will save space and ensure the spray gets inside the water bottles.
Container Lids
Lightweight food storage container lids can be difficult to keep in place during a dishwashing cycle, but it’s important that they don’t end up laying flat on a rack, as that will block the spray from reaching your other dishes and will cause water to pool on top of the lids. The best place to load them is on the top rack of your dishwasher, sideways between tines.
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