When using a dishwasher or any other appliance, more often than not, our muscle memory performs all the necessary actions.
But even if you have long washed the dishes in the dishwasher, some tweaks can ultimately enhance your dishwashing experience.
There are a few easy tips and tricks for getting the most out of your dishwasher and ensuring your dishes are cleaner on every wash cycle!
Read our article about how to clean dishes in the dishwasher the right way. You work way too hard to have to do your dishes twice!
1. No need to pre-rinse the dishes
Pre-rinsing the dishes is a thing of the past. So you shouldn’t do it anymore.
However, you must scrape off the excess large food particles from the dishes; otherwise, they could clog the drain, requiring you to unclog the dishwasher repeatedly.
Modern-day dishwashers combine enough water pressure, heat, and high-quality dishwasher detergents, such as Finish Quantum Ultimate All-in-1, to wash off even dried or stuck-on food.
All you have to do is scrape the larger pieces into the rubbish bin and load your dishwasher.
2. Load dishes from the back to the front
Opening the dishwasher slightly and adding the items is convenient, but loading the dishes from the back and moving to the front with the rack fully extended is more effective.
A well-organized dishwasher simplifies unloading and ensures cleaner dishes, drying, and draining.
Find out how to load your dishwasher properly for optimum cleaning. We cover best practices from rinsing to not overloading to stacking your kitchenware in the best spot.
3. Arrange plates facing inward
Many standard dishwashers feature sprayer arms that emit water from the bottom center, stopping a few inches short of the interior walls.
If plates face outward, the water jets may miss the surfaces facing the wall. Instead, arrange plates facing inward to ensure thorough cleaning.
4. Delicate items on the top rack
Delicate and fragile items, such as wine glasses, crystal glassware, fine china, antique silverware, stemware, and plastic containers, should be positioned away from the dishwasher’s jets.
The best place for such items is the top rack, which experiences lower water pressure and temperature, reducing the risk of damage, breakage, or melting during the wash cycle.
The rapid change in the dishwasher temperature can also damage delicate items. Follow Finish's dishwashing temperature guidelines to learn everything about your dishwasher water.
5. Using the right amount of dishwasher detergent
It might sound simple, but one of the most common mistakes people make when using the tablets or, liquid, or powder is to either add too much or too little. In both cases, the amount of dishwasher detergent has a proportional effect on the cleanliness of the dishes.
Adding too much dishwasher detergent can lead to over-sudsing, which interferes with the dishwasher's cleaning action and leaves residue and streaks on dishes.
Conversely, using too little detergent results in ineffective cleaning, leaving food particles and spots on dishes.
Finding the right balance of detergent is crucial for optimal cleaning performance. It ensures that dishes come out clean, spotless, and free from leftover residues or streaks.
Adjusting the detergent amount according to water hardness, load size, and dishwasher settings can help achieve consistently clean dishes with every wash cycle.
