I’m a doctor – stop making these mistakes when loading dishwasher

A doctor has shared some advice when it comes to loading the dishwasher, revealing the common mistakes you should avoid. Dishwashers are incredibly handy kitchen machines that make life easier for a lot of Brits. Instead of standing over a sink and splashing ourselves while we wash plates, bowls and cutlery, we can simply throw it all into the dishwasher and let it do its thing. However, there are a few habits that can hinder your dishwasher’s performance. 

When using your dishwasher, you need to know what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. There is nothing more frustrating than finding dirty dishes after you have run your dishwasher. While this is sometimes a symptom of something wrong with your dishwasher, it often happens as a result of how you load your dishwasher. One expert has weighed in and explained the exact right way to load your dishwasher to make sure everything gets clean. 

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development at High Speed Training, explained how loading your dishwasher properly makes all the difference. Specifically, there are four mistakes to avoid.

They are:

1. Overcrowding the dishwasher with too many dishes. This prevents water and detergent from properly circulating.
2. Blocking the spray arms. Spray arms should be able to spin freely and distribute water effectively, and blocking them with large items can stop this from happening. 
3. Over-rinsing dishes before loading your dishwasher can make detergents less effective. All you need to do is scrape off large bits of food.
4. Ignoring the filter. You have a major dishwasher problem when the filter is clogged, which leads to poor results and bad odours in your kitchen.

“The bottom rack is the heavy-duty area, built for robust items needing stronger pressure,” said Dr Anderson. “Ensure plates and large bowls always face the centre spray arm for even coverage, and position heavy items such as pots and pans at the sides, placed at a slight angle to aid water drainage. Grouping similar-sized items together is a simple step that avoids smaller dishes being overshadowed.

“The top rack is the delicate zone, designed for gentler pressure. Here, glasses and mugs should be placed upside down and slightly angled—a key trick to prevent water pooling on the base after the cycle. Importantly, all plastics must be labelled ‘dishwasher safe’ and kept exclusively on this top rack, far away from the bottom heating element to stop them from warping.”

He added: “Cutlery placement is crucial for both hygiene and safety. We advise people to avoid ‘nesting’ in baskets by mixing items and alternating the direction of the handles. Always load knives with the handles pointing up to prevent injury during unloading. For a truly sparkling finish, remember to separate silver cutlery from stainless steel to avoid chemical reactions that can cause marks.”