I’M Trying To Put A Load In The Dishwasher? Quick Answer

1. Align the dishes towards the center

Place the dishes with the dirty side in the middle of the dishwasher. The appliance’s rinse nozzles, located on your appliance’s rotating spray arm, spray upwards to wash and rinse dishes.

2. Tilt dishes down

Placing items at an angle not only helps with effective cleaning, but also with proper drying and draining. Larger items, such as mixing bowls and pans, should be placed at the back of the lower basket and angled to face the center of the dishwasher. Small slabs can be loaded to fill gaps for a full load.

3. Avoid overcrowding

Avoid filling the dishwasher too full and make sure there is space between your dishes. While bowls fit nicely in your cabinets to save space, stacking these items in your dishwasher makes it difficult for the nozzles to clean them thoroughly. Instead, use your dishwasher prongs to separate items for an optimal cleaning cycle.

4. Place objects between the tines, not over them

Dishwasher prongs are the protrusions on the upper and lower baskets that hold and separate your dishes. To properly load a dishwasher, secure items between the prongs of the basket to prevent them from bumping into each other or falling over during the wash cycle. Select Whirlpool® dishwashers feature foldable tines for flexibility to create the space you need for larger dishes or for storing smaller items like lids and measuring cups.

5. Do not prewash dishes

Save time and energy and do without pre-washing the dishes before loading your dishwasher. Dishwashing detergent is designed to interact with food residue on your dirty dishes, so rinsing beforehand can actually hinder the cleaning cycle. Whirlpool® dishwashers are designed to help you get the cleaning you need and select models feature a soil sensor that detects how dirty your dishes are and adjusts the normal cycle to ensure optimal cleaning .

6. Do not block the spray arms

The spray arms contain the jets that wash and rinse your dishes, and blockage of these jets can affect the washing performance of your loads. If your appliance has more than one spray arm, like this Whirlpool brand dishwasher, be careful when loading the top and bottom shelves to avoid blocking them.

7. Only fill in dishes that are dishwasher safe

Make sure the items you load are dishwasher safe and be mindful of what doesn’t go in the dishwasher. Hand washing is usually recommended for:

Cookware with non-stick coating

kitchenknife

Fine China

Crystal and delicate glassware

Tableware made of wood or silver

Cast iron pans

Washing these items in the dishwasher can ruin the finish or cause damage. If your cookware came with instructions or washing recommendations, be sure to follow them.

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When I was growing up, my mom taught me not to run the dishwasher unless it was completely full. She (like many of us) believed it was wasteful to use a less than full load when we could just hand wash that stack of dishes in the sink and save water and energy in the process. However, hand washing can actually be more wasteful than running that small load through your dishwasher.

Ruslan Dashinsky/Getty Images

In terms of water and energy consumption, dishwashers are much more efficient than washing dishes by hand. According to a recent study by detergent brand Cascade, it takes about 15 seconds to wash a dish by hand on average. During this time, the sink uses half a gallon of water (a typical faucet spouts four gallons of water every two minutes). By comparison, an Energy Star-certified dishwasher uses less than four gallons per cycle, meaning running a load with just eight dishes can actually save water.

Of course, a full load is the most efficient way to run your dishwasher, notes Maytag product brand manager Rebeccah Buurstra, because the unit uses roughly the same amount of water and energy no matter how many dishes you load in it. However, the benefits of dishwasher operation go beyond energy efficiency. With temperatures reaching 140 degrees Fahrenheit, dishwashers can step up sanitizing for a better clean than you can get in the sink. The unit also allows you to skip washing, scrubbing and drying your dishes, which Energy Star says saves time and more than 7,000 gallons of water per year.

All of these energy savings can also have a significant impact on your budget. According to Energy Star, washing your dishes by hand over its typical 12-year lifespan can cost you about $1,300 more than using an Energy Star-certified dishwasher. The combined energy and water cost for an average dishwasher is just $463 over the lifetime of the unit.

However, it’s important to note that hand washing is the best option for some dishes. “Due to the water and energy consumption and the temperature at which the dishes can be washed, the dishwasher is the best way to clean your dishes, but there are some items that you must wash by hand due to the materials and workmanship,” Buurstra says. She recommends hand washing wooden bowls and cutting boards, cast-iron cookware, and delicate items like your grandmother’s fine china.

For everything else, however, I now load my dishwasher and press start (even if it’s not quite full yet).

The dishwasher is the workhorse of the kitchen. Dishes come in dirty and come out clean – day after day. But be careful what you load into your dishwasher, or you may do more harm than good.

We asked Lucinda Ottusch, dishwasher expert at Whirlpool Corporation’s Institute of Home Sciences, for her warnings about what to keep out of your dishwasher. Some of what she says may surprise you…

1. Sharp knives

The dishwasher can dull the knife blades, so wash the knives by hand. Although the manufacturer’s instructions say it’s okay to put knives in the dishwasher, you can cut yourself loading and unloading sharp knives, so it’s safest to wash sharp knives by hand.

2. Hollow handle knife

High temperatures in the dishwasher can melt the glue that holds the two parts of a hollow-handled knife together. When that happens, the knife handle falls apart. Hand wash to keep them in tip-top shape.

Do not put non-stick cookware in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer specifically states that an item is dishwasher safe. Over time, the dishwashing process can dissolve the coating, causing it to flake off during cooking and ruining the nonstick coating.

Cast iron should NEVER be put in the dishwasher. It takes a long time to build a nonstick surface on cast iron, and dishwashing detergent will remove it, leaving the pan prone to rust. Plain water and non-abrasive sponges are the best cleaners. Look out for cast iron cookware and it can last for many generations.

5. China with metal decoration

Surprisingly, most porcelain and china tableware is dishwasher safe. However, if your dishes have metallic images or decorations, hand wash them to avoid damage to the decorations. Also remember that porcelain can chip if accidentally bumped into other dishes during the wash cycle, so load the dishwasher carefully.

6. Antiques and other delicate items

Delicate items such as hand-blown glass, antiques and precious figurines should not be put in the dishwasher. If it’s priceless or a family heirloom, hand wash it.

7. Hand-painted ceramics and earthenware

If you don’t want the artwork to go down the drain over time, you should hand wash these items.

8. Crystal

Some lead crystals become etched (become cloudy and pitted) after repeated washing. For safety, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keep this cast iron skillet out of your dishwasher! Shutterstock

9. Milk glass

If you put semi-transparent dishes made of frosted glass in the dishwasher too often, the milky white color can turn yellow. Do not take any risks. Hand wash these items.

10. Gold colored cutlery

In contrast to silver, most of which can go in the dishwasher, gold-colored cutlery discolours in the dishwasher.

11. Pressure cooker lid

Never wash the lids of pressure cookers (including those for stovetop pressure cookers and those for electric types like the Instant Pot) in the dishwasher, as small particles of food or dishwashing liquid can collect or become lodged in the regulator or safety valves. Instead, hand wash pressure cookers, gaskets, and pots in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry well. Do not store with the lid on as the gasket will seal permanently and you could lose the pot.

12. Brass, Bronze or Pewter

These metals can corrode and discolor when washed in the dishwasher. Hand wash to maintain their beauty.

13. Aluminum cookware

The very hot water in dishwashers can stain the surface of aluminum and harsh dishwashing detergents can dull the surface. While you’re not concerned about spoiling the look of flimsy disposable aluminum cake pans, don’t put them in the dishwasher as they can mark nearby items if they move during the wash cycle. On the other hand, some stainless steel cookware can be put in the dishwasher – be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and give the pots and pans a good rinse if you don’t plan on running the dishwasher right away.

14. Wood

Very hot water can warp or crack the wood and damage the finish of wooden cutting boards and utensils with wooden handles: Hand wash only.

15. Many types of plastic

Do not put plastic items in the dishwasher unless they are labeled “dishwasher safe.” Dishes marked “dishwasher safe” should only be placed in the top rack. Otherwise the heating element may melt or warp.

16. Insulated pitchers, drinkware and travel mugs

The problem here is that high temperatures in the rinse cycle could damage the vacuum seal. It is best to wash them by hand.

17. Acrylic dishes

The very hot water and harsh dish soap can damage acrylic plates and other dishes, causing hairline cracks and washing away anything printed on them. Hand wash such items to keep them looking like new.

18. Panels you glued back together

If you fixed a dish with glue or another adhesive, hand wash it. The hot water and harsh detergents used in the dishwasher can dissolve adhesives.

19. Printed measuring cups

Measuring cups with measurements printed on the side are best washed by hand. Over time, dish soap will erase the measurements on these cups, making them useless for measuring.

20. Anything with paper labels

Dishwashers can detach and remove paper labels from bottles and jars. These scraps of paper can get lodged in the dishwasher drain or stuck to other dishes, creating a messy cleaning problem. First remove the labels.

21. Dishes with large pieces of food on them

It may go without saying, but large pieces of food can clog the dishwasher drain or end up on otherwise clean dishes. You don’t have to wash the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher, but you should scrape them out.

Everyone has a favorite way to load the dishwasher. But guess what: these tips will help you get it right.

You never realize how important your dishwasher is until it stops working, but learning to load it properly will go a long way in keeping it running smoothly — and your dishes sparkling. Let’s go through the basics to ensure your dishes come out spotless and your machine runs long.

Think you’re already a dishwasher loading pro? Here are more ways to make any dishwasher work better.

Start reading the instructions

Even the best dishwasher won’t perform at its best if you don’t load it properly. Your first clue is right there in your owner’s manual! When you buy a new dishwasher, keep the manual and look for specific loading instructions. If your device isn’t new, dig up this manual or look it up on the web. Then follow these instructions!

You don’t need to pre-rinse

Consumer Reports went to the trouble of coating plates, cups, and silverware with an “imposing concoction of peanut butter, egg yolks, and other gooey things” and leaving them overnight to test whether or not to pre-rinse. They found that although a pre-wash isn’t required on most modern dishwashers, it’s best to scrape off large chunks of leftover food before loading.

Know what the top and bottom shelves are for

Use the upper basket for concave items such as bowls, cups and glasses, as well as large cutlery and utensils. You should also place dishwasher-safe plastics in the top basket to keep them from warping. The bottom basket is for plates and platters and cutlery (assuming your cutlery basket is at the bottom).

Load the lower basket so that the water can flow upwards

Arrange your plates and platters vertically and move large and small pieces so they don’t block water or detergent from getting into the upper basket. Oversized items, like dishwasher safe cutting boards, should be guided along the perimeter of the lower basket for the same reason.

Load the top basket so the water hits the inside of your bowls

Angle the bowls so they are all pointing toward the center and make sure they are not overfilled as this increases the risk of breakage and impedes the flow of water and detergent. Be careful to place glasses and cups between the tines and not on top of them. Dishwasher-safe plastics also belong on the top rack, away from the heating element to avoid warping. Lay large cutlery and utensils horizontally and make sure long-handled utensils are securely in place to prevent them from falling through and preventing the spray arm from rotating.

Found a stain on your glasses? Eek! Here’s how to polish glasses to impress everyone at your next dinner party.

Set up your cutlery basket

Load forks and spoons handles down, but knives handles up (safety first!). Mix up your cutlery to prevent them from nesting together.

Alternatively, you can follow this brilliant guide from @ForeignDisgrace on TikTok. Some dishwashers may not have this feature, but if yours has it, make sure you take advantage of it.

Oh! Please remember not to put your valuable kitchen knives in the dishwasher at all. They prefer to be washed by hand!

After loading it properly…

Even a well-loaded dishwasher will not perform well if fed cold water. To prevent this, run your kitchen sink until the water gets hot. To ensure that everything dries without streaks, keep your rinse aid container full.

So the next time your family erupts in one of those how-to-load-the-dishwasher debates, you’ll be ready to jump in! Psst. Don’t forget to clean your dishwasher every once in a while. How to clean a dishwasher in five easy steps.

Lightweight food storage container lids can be difficult to stay in place during a dishwashing cycle, but it’s important that they don’t lie flat on a rack as this will prevent the spray from reaching your other dishes and will cause it Water enters pool on lids. The best place to load them is on the top rack of your dishwasher, on the side between the prongs.

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N Azlin Sha/Shutterstock

water bottles

Make sure your water bottles are marked “dishwasher safe” before placing them in the lower basket. And just like your drinking glasses and mugs, water bottles should be placed upside down next to (not over) the prongs on the rack. This saves space and ensures the spray gets into the water bottles.

Next, check out these useful steps for cleaning a dishwasher.