Dishwashers are one of our favorite inventionsbut you have to use them right.
Most of us would openly admit that it would be hard to live without our dishwashers.
These appliances make one of the most tedious tasks for the home less stressful and more convenient.
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Pre-Rinsing Dishes
There are two types of people in this worldthose who pre-rinse and those who dont.
Those who dont have likely been subjected to family scorn or have even been called lazy.
However, if youre part of the other camp, pre-rinsing can be a hard habit to break.
“Efficient machines, combined with good dishwasher detergent, actually work better with a bit of grease.”
So, skip the sink.
Its crucial to remove excess food scraps or sauces.
Plastic, melamine, fine china, and crystal usually aren’t dishwasher-safe.
While your dishwasher might have a china or delicate setting, it can still be risky.
So, check the bottoms of your plates and cups for directions.
Plates, large bowls, and casserole dishes should go on the bottom rack, says Lightfoot.
Stewart also recommends using the top rack for long serving pieces and knives.
Essential to do when you have little kids in the house, she says.
So, when you are unloading, you have a clear viewmaking sure the dishes are clean.
Inserting Utensils Incorrectly
Handles up or handles down?
According to Lighfoot and Pawlowski, handles should face up.
After all, you dont want them to grab onto knife blades or fork prongs and get injured.
Having asystem for loading dishescan save time and energy.
For example, the founders of Done & Done suggest loading glasses from back to front.
This way, you could quickly see if theres room to fit that one last mug in.
Having a system also makes the unloading process a less arduous task.
An organized dishwasher makes unloading the dishes easier!
But this wont get your dishes any cleaner.
In fact, residue from excess dish soap can leave your dishes gritty.
Or worse, too much soap can cause the suds to overflow some machines.
This can potentially lead to expensive repairs.
Failing to Clean and Maintain the Dishwasher
Like any other appliance,properly maintaining a dishwasheris essential.
If your dishwasher has a filter, its important to clean it regularly.
Dont forget to check the spray arm for any debris as well.
If youre still having issues, you may want to consult a repair person.
[Run it] even if it’s not completely full," Pawlowski says.
“This can be done in an energy-efficient way if there’s an option to adjust the load size.
Empty it every morning while the coffee is brewing.
This simple system makes the chore of doing dishes a little less taxing.
