Tips on Loading Your Dishwasher for the Best Results
Master the art of loading your dishwasher for sparkling results. Learn how to arrange dishes, use racks, and avoid common mistakes for a perfect clean every time.
Summary
- Avoid overloading the dishwasher to ensure proper water and detergent circulation.
- Place items correctly: put large, flat items on the bottom rack and glasses/cups on the top, with dirty surfaces facing the centre.
- Check that the spray arms are not blocked by any items before starting the cycle.
Have you ever run your dishwasher only to find that your dishes were not properly cleaned? Was there excess water and detergent residue left on your cups and glasses? There are a few simple tips you can follow to ensure this doesn’t happen again:
Things to Do Before Loading Your Dishwasher
Before loading anything into your dishwasher, scrape off any larger food items from your dishes.
You should minimise the amount of loose food going into your dishwasher as this will ultimately serve your plumbing better and give you cleaner, better results for longer.
How To Load Your Dishwasher
The number one tip for stacking a dishwasher is to ensure there is enough space for water to clean every surface. If you have too many dishes jammed in tightly, your dishwasher will not be able to clean every item properly.
UPPER DISHWASHER BASKET
- Place cups, glasses and small bowls in the top rack.
- Place cups and glasses at an angle so they can drain.
- Place plastics on the top shelf – if on the bottom shelf they risk warping and melting.
LOWER DISHWASHER BASKET
- Plates should face the middle of the dishwasher where the cleaning jets are located.
- For pots and pans: check that they are dishwasher safe and if they are, put them along the edges of the bottom rack.
- Large serving dishes and platters should be put around the edges of the lower basket where there’s more space.
- Avoid over-loading your dishwasher. This allows space for water to circulate for a spotless clean.
CUTLERY TRAY OR BASKET
- Place spoons and forks with the handle down and separate the heads to avoid nesting. Knives should be placed with the handle up. If your dishwasher has a cutlery shelf it is easy to keep the heads separated.
- Hand-wash sharp knives and cutting boards – this will maintain the knives’ sharpness for longer and prevent cutting boards from warping.
Know Your Dishwasher’s Features & Functions
Unsure which wash program to select? Most dishwashers have a range of functions to optimise your wash and its water and energy efficiency. For example:
- Auto Wash: Let the dishwasher determine the wash conditions and time as it uses sensors to gauge your load’s level of soiling and dirtiness.
- Eco Wash: The dishwasher will provide a full wash, using less energy and water to ensure environmentally-friendly results.
- Sanitise: A combination of hot water and steam (depending on the dishwasher model) ensures a hygienic wash where germs and bacteria are eliminated from dishes.
With these simple tips, you’ll unlock the full potential of your dishwasher and get perfectly clean dishes every time.
FAQs
You don't need to fully rinse dishes, but you should scrape off larger food particles and stuck-on bits. Modern dishwashers are designed to handle some food residue, but removing the bulk of it helps prevent clogs in your plumbing and ensures better cleaning results. A quick scrape is usually sufficient.
Cloudy glasses are often caused by hard water mineral deposits or too much detergent. Try using a rinse aid to help water sheet off glasses more effectively, and ensure glasses are angled properly so water can drain. If you have hard water, consider using less detergent or a water softener to reduce mineral buildup.
It's best to hand-wash wooden items. The high heat and moisture in dishwashers can cause wood to crack, warp, or split over time. This is especially important for cutting boards and wooden utensils, which can also lose their natural oils and become rough or damaged from repeated dishwasher cycles.
Yes, it absolutely matters! The bottom rack is closer to the heating element and gets more intense heat and water pressure, making it ideal for heavily soiled pots, pans, and plates. The top rack is gentler and perfect for delicate items like glasses, cups, and plastics that could melt or warp from too much heat.