How to Load a Dishwasher Properly to Ensure Clean Dishes

Your kitchen is a place of productivity and cleanliness. To keep your kitchen running smoothly, you need to load the dishwasher correctly. When you pack your dishwasher correctly, you maximize your dishwashing efficiency, ensuring that your dishes are clean and sanitary. However, when you don't load the dishwasher correctly, you can't achieve maximum efficiency.

You've probably heard the expression "dirty dishes, clean dishes." That's because loading the dishwasher correctly can help ensure that your dishes come out squeaky clean. Instead, follow these simple guidelines to load a dishwasher correctly, ensuring that your words are clean and sanitary.

Each person has their method for filling the dishwasher, and each believes their way is the best. However, there are three critical aspects that every sparkling-clean load shares that most people overlook. While it's always good to consult the owner's manual for any special loading instructions, if you can't find it (or tossed it away), we have a few ideas that will help most dishwashers operate at peak efficiency.

To begin with, it is always better to use the top rack when loading dishes. You should neatly and strategically place dishware in the entire frame. Cups, glasses, and small bowls should all go on the top rack but not too close together. It is important to remember that stacking too many dishes together increases the danger of breakage and can obstruct the flow of water and detergent, so make sure you have sufficient space when you begin loading them. Also, if you have any plastics that are dishwasher safe, make sure they are placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. Place those plastics on the top shelf to keep them away from any heating elements that could cause them to deform in drying.

When your top rack is complete, it's time to go down to the dishwasher's base: the bottom rack. Heavier dishware, such as plates, bowls, and other large objects, should be stored on the bottom shelf. Platters, dishwasher-safe cutting boards, and other oversized items should be put further to the sides and back to avoid obstructing water spray. You can usually wash aluminum and stainless-steel cookware on the bottom rack dishwasher. Still, any brass, bronze, wood, or china with gold leaf should be hand-washed to minimize discoloration and damage. As efficient as our dishwashers are, some dishes require more delicate handling to ensure proper cleaning.

Now that both racks are complete, it's time to deal with the silverware collection. This one is self-explanatory, but you should place all silverware in the utensil basket. However, you can use a couple of simple techniques to keep all of your cutlery sparkling clean. While separating forks, spoons, and knives may appear sensible, mixing them keeps them from nesting and keeps them cleaner. To avoid snagging a sharp blade, all utensils and spoons should be placed in the basket, with their handles facing down, whereas knives should be positioned with the handles facing up. If you wash stainless steel and silver cutlery together, a chemical reaction may occur, denting the silverware. Don't take a chance by putting these metals in the dishwasher on opposing sides of the utensil basket.

When you thought you were done, you had to unload those sparkling clean dishes. Unloading the dishwasher might be difficult, but it will become a snap with these methods! First, empty the bottom rack; otherwise, water from the top shelf will drain the plates, pots, and dishes below. After the bottom rack, dump the silverware (for the same reasons as the lower rack) before unloading the top shelf. Also, put like-dishes away together (sort the spoons with the spoons, plates with the plates, etc.). It will allow you to unload the dishes faster and relax more! And if you truly want to relax while your dishes are clean, a modern dishwasher with cutting-edge technologies could do the trick! Dishwashers make our lives easier in many ways if used properly. Even as dishwashing technology improves, loading the dishes matters (and eventually unloaded).

If you need help with your appliances, Volt Appliance Repair can assist you. You can trust to our experts for professional maintenance and repair services. To get started you can request a call, or give us a call at (888) 285-7957.