Loading the apartment dishwasher is both an art and a science. If you master the right ways of arranging your cups, silverware, and plates, they will end up clean and sparkling after every cleaning. Discover some apartment dishwasher do’s and don’ts here with these handy tips.
Common dishwasher loading challenges
There’s nothing worse than spending your time loading the dishwasher only to find that your dishes are still dirty when the cycle’s over. Those left-on bits of food are gross, and they’re also a waste of your time, as you’re going to have to re-wash the items either by hand or with another round in the washer.
The first thing you need to know about loading the dishwasher is that you should never block any of the spray arms, the rotating spigots typically located below the upper rack. When you load oversized items like cutting boards or platters into the lower rack, push the lower rack completely into the unit and see if you can still rotate the spray arm with your hand. If you can, you’re golden, because with room to rotate, the water coverage will help thoroughly clean the dishes. (Check out your particular machine to see how water is distributed, as mechanisms vary.)
Nesting can also be a problem when loading the dishwasher. If you’ve got two spoons situated next to each other in the silverware rack facing the same direction, it’s likely that neither spoon will end up completely clean. Water must be able to get in and around both spoons. Avoid this nesting by alternating silverware up and down. (Knives are an exception, however — their sharp ends should always point down so you don’t cut yourself when you reach into the machine.) Don’t load more pieces than will fit in comfortably.
Loading the dishwasher properly
Think about symmetry when loading your dishwasher, arranging “like” items together so that you can fit as many in the machine as possible. Do not overload, however. Remember that leaving space around items allows for proper water flow, and an even distribution of items helps ensure they all get cleaner.
The ideal way to load the dishwasher is to arrange cups and smaller items in the top rack, and stack pots, pans, plates, and other larger items facing inward on the bottom rack. Bowls can go in either upper or lower racks. Alternate silverware types in the silverware tray, as mentioned.
More dishwasher do’s and don’ts
Knowing how to load the dishwasher properly is only half the battle when it comes to using your machine efficiently. Look over these additional do’s and don’ts to find solutions for other common dishwashing problems:
DO:
•Double-check that your items are dishwasher safe.
•Adjust settings appropriately to match the kinds of dishes you are washing; use the heated setting for dirty pots and pan, for instance.
•Select a dishwasher detergent that works well. You may discover that either a powdered or liquid detergent yields the best results in your particular machine.
•Raise or lower the top rack to accommodate larger items, if possible.
•Wash reusable plastic water bottles in the top rack.
•Use detergent that contains phosphates if you have hard water. (Phosphates help break down hard water so your dishes come out cleaner.)
DON’T:
•Load plastic items in the lower rack if you’re going to use the heated dry setting. (The heat can melt your stuff.)
•Put jars with labels in the apartment dishwasher. (The glue on the labels can clog the machine’s inner workings.)
•Load wooden cutting boards or spoons in the dishwasher. (They can crack and warp.)
•Put non-stick pans in the dishwasher.
•Put anything with metal (like copper, brass, or silver) in the dishwasher.
•Feel guilty about running the dishwasher, as the dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand, making it eco-friendly!
DO get on the same page with your family members or roommates about how to load and run your apartment dishwasher efficiently. Everyone should know the dishwasher do’s and don’ts so less time will be spent re-washing dirty dishes and more time doing the things you love — like eating delicious food off your squeaky-clean plates!
