5 Dishwasher Do's and Don'ts

The dishwasher is essential to any kitchen, helping control the flow of dirty dishes. While loading it, hitting a button and walking away don't seem that difficult, there are some nuances to its operation.

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Learn some practical dos and don'ts of dishwasher maintenance, including how to load it and whether you need to pre-rinse dishes.

Scraping and Rinsing

Do: Scrape your dishes.

Don't: Rinse them.

While large food particles should be scraped into your compost bin, garbage disposal or trash, plates and silverware shouldn't be rinsed off. Dishwasher detergents contain enzymes that are designed to break down food particles.

Also, more modern dishwashers have sensors that detect remaining food residue on dishes — if the sensors don't detect food, they're tricked into thinking the dishes are cleaner than they actually are, resulting in a less thorough wash.

Loading the Dishwasher

Do: Load the top rack with drinking glasses, mugs, small bowls and plastic storage containers and the bottom rack with plates, larger bowls and pots.

Don't: Put knives, wooden cutting boards or nonstick, cast iron or aluminum cookware in the dishwasher.

Your dishwasher's use and care guide likely provides examples of different ways your dishwasher could be loaded. Every dishwasher model has different features — some have spray arms on three levels, others have them on two and some have a bonus pull-out drawer on the top for longer utensils and small items.

But in general, cups, mugs, drinking glasses, glass and plastic food containers and lids can go on the top rack. Silverware goes in the utensil baskets, and large plates and bowls along with baking dishes can go on the bottom rack.

Plastic items should always go on the top rack to be furthest away from the heating element on the bottom. If they get too close, they can warp or partially melt. Some plastic dishes aren't dishwasher-safe, so be sure to check the label.

Glasses and cups should be arranged between the tines, not over them, to save space and prevent them from collecting water and flipping over. Some tines are adjustable on the top and bottom racks, letting you lay them flat to accommodate bigger items.

Loading the utensil basket properly is important to make sure your utensils are properly cleaned. Mix spoons and forks together to prevent them nesting, and always put sharp knives and forks facing down with the handle sticking up. Plus, it's more hygienic when you unload it because you're grabbing the handle instead of the eating surface.

Make sure dishwasher-safe pots and pans are facing down so the insides get cleaned thoroughly, and don't block the sprayer arms with taller dishes — make sure they can spin freely.

Choosing Detergent

Do: Use powder, liquid or tablets/pods.

Don't: Use too much detergent or not enough.

Whether you use powder, liquid or tablets, check the directions on the packaging so you know how much to use. Powder and liquid detergent, in particular, should be measured carefully so you don't use too much. Tablets tend to be easier because you just use one at a time per load.

A rinse aid can be helpful if you notice water spots on your dishes. A rinse aid helps water slide off dishes so water drops don't stay on the surface as they dry, which can create water spots.

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Choosing a Cycle

Different dishwasher models have different cycle choices, which affect internal settings, water usage and heat levels. Do make sure to choose the cycle that fits your needs — for example, after a Thanksgiving meal, you wouldn't want to select the "half-full" setting. The heavy cycle would be a better choice in that case for washing pots and pans. The normal or auto setting is good for everyday loads, and the express or 1-hour wash is good for lightly soiled dishes or when you're short on time. It uses more water and energy, but the cycle finishes faster.

Dishwasher Maintenance

It's important to take care of your dishwasher to ensure it can do its job well. Part of that involves cleaning the food trap and filter regularly — these are typically located at the bottom of your dishwasher. You can remove them and clean in the sink with soap and water or use a wet/dry vac to remove food particles from the filter.

If unpleasant odors are coming from it, you can clean the inside by using a commercial dishwasher cleaner and running it on a normal cycle while it's empty. It's also a good idea to let it air-dry once in a while. Dishwashers have seals that help keep the water inside, but if water gets trapped with the door closed for too long, it can lead to unpleasant smells. Letting it air out, especially after a wash, can help mitigate odors.