A dishwasher is like an extra set of hands in the kitchen. It perfectly washes and dries your dishes with little effort on your part….or does it?
When you notice that your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, it could be because you aren’t loading it efficiently. Here are the top 5 dishwasher loading mistakes we’ve noticed here at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:
1. Sorting Silverware by Type
When loading forks, spoons, knives, and other cutlery, it may seem orderly to organize each one by type. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work for getting them sparkling clean. One of the best ways to do it is to evenly distribute the silverware, with knives facing downward, forks facing up, and spoons going up and down so that they don’t nest.
2. Pre-Rinsing Everything
According to Consumer Reports, modern dishwashers are designed to clean stuck on food and do an “very good” to “excellent” job of getting htem clean – even when they are caked in food particles. Go ahead and remove the big stuff, then let your dishwasher do the rest.
3. Putting Last Minute Cups on the Bottom
You’re trying to use every last space – so why not put the extra cups on the bottom? Seems logical, but most dishwashers are designed to clean cups best when they are on the top rack. Read your user manual to learn about optimal placement and bottle jets that can reach hard-to-reach places in tall glasses or bottles.
4. Dishes Don't Face Center
Another common mistake when loading your dishwasher is cramming plates and bowls into the bottom in every which way. In order to get the maximum clean, all plates and bowls should be facing the center of the dishwasher, so arrange them accordingly.
5. Skipping the Pod Detergents
The leading detergent companies have spent millions perfecting the usage of pods, and research shows that they are more effective at getting dishes clean than the traditional powder and liquid detergents. Skip this common dishwasher loading mistake and buy the pods next time!