What is the best way to load your dishwasher? How to save time by stacking the right way
One thing most of us do could prevent your appliance from working effectively
DISHWASHERS already make the dreaded task of cleaning up after a meal quicker, but now there's a way to make the whole process even faster.
That's because there's no need to rinse your dirty plates before putting them in the dishwasher - and it could actually be doing more harm than good.
When stacking your plates, make sure they’re all facing the same way but ensure each surface is accessible.
The water jets spray water outwards from the centre, so you want to angle your plates to maximise the water’s power.
Place all Tupperware items or anything else made of plastic on the top shelf, as the heating element is usually in the bottom and could warp your containers.
Put all large flat items – such as chopping boards – around the outside rather than in the plate slots.
Lastly never overcrowd the dishwasher or stack crockery at odd angles to fit more in, as this will usually result in it not being cleaned properly.
While it might be second nature to get rid of food scraps before loading the dishwasher, it could actually stop the detergent from working properly.
magazine explains that dishwasher powder works by gripping to dirty food particles found on crockery.
If the plates have been rinsed already, it has nothing to attach itself to and won't work effectively.
As a result not only could you be wasting detergent, but your plates won't emerge sparkling clean.
This isn't the only reason to ditch pre-rinsing your dishes.
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Newer dishwasher models are now often fitted with sensors that can calculate how long a cycle should take in order for your dishes to come out pristine.
If you have already rinsed your plates, the sensors will have little to detect and give the dishes a light wash, meaning they aren't cleaned as effectively.
That means they may still be dirty at the end of the cycle.
This could even result in your machine getting stuck in a very short, light default setting which will become problematic when you want a more thorough clean in the future.
Finally, there's the environment to think about.
Although dishwashers tend to use less water than traditional washing up, they still use around six gallons per cycle.
Rinsing plates beforehand only adds to that.
You should never put knives in the dishwasher, as it can make them blunt over time.
Cast iron pans need special attention, so shouldn’t be bunged in with the rest of your dirty dishes.
Wash them by hand to avoid damaging them.
If you’ve ordered a takeaway, don’t even think about putting the aluminium containers in the dishwasher.
They will leave your machine covered in black marks, so either recycle them or hand wash instead.
You might not think a wooden spoon would pose a problem, but the heat could cause it to warp so it’s best to handwash.
This also goes for plastic utensils, such as mashers or spoons, which can also lose their shape.
Copper pans may be a pain to scrub, but if you put in it the dishwasher you risk losing its gorgeous colour.