How To Load A Dishwasher, According To The Pros
Use the right method and watch your dishes sparkle.
Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann
How to load the dishwasher properly is a longstanding argument in many households. Do the forks face up or down? Can the bowls overlap or should they never touch? Do you have to rinse every speck of food off your plates, or is a quick scrape enough? Perhaps the most important thing to know is that there isn't one right way to load a dishwasher, but there are a great many ways to go wrong in between.
As dishwashers have evolved over the years, so too have the proper techniques for loading. To get down to the nitty-gritty, lesser-known facts, we gathered the best tips from some of the top-rated dishwashing brands on the market for how to load a dishwasher the right way.
Use These Basic Rules
Most of us know the basics, but in case you need a little refresher, the hard and fast rules for loading a dishwasher begin with the universal truth that all dishes should be loaded with the dirty side facing the jets (though even this "rule" is in question with the newest dishwashers, according to GE below).
You're probably well aware, though, that the dirtiest dishes should go on the bottom, while more fragile or lightly soiled items can go on the top. One last word of dishwasher wisdom: Never block the rotating arm. Ever. Now that we've covered the basics, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of what manufacturers say about this controversial household task.
Scrape Don't Rinse
Most modern dishwashers are well-equipped to handle food remnants. To save on water, Bosch says it's best to just scrape off dishes rather than rinsing before loading them into the dishwasher. You know that old commercial where a platter with a layer cake is placed in the dishwasher and later comes out sparkling? We don't condone that, as it will clog your dishwasher (and is a terrible waste of a perfectly good cake), but apparently, there might be a bit of merit to leaving a few crumbs behind. Many modern dishwashers have a sensor to detect how dirty dishes are, and making those dishes too clean before you run the dishwasher could get in the way of a proper wash on the automatic cycle.
Stack for Success
Miele is an industry leader in appliance design. In the case of their dishwashers, innovation means everything. When you consider how far this appliance has come, look to Miele. Their upper basket can be adjusted to three different levels, and additional side racks fold down to create extra room for cups and glasses. To make stacking even easier, Miele has color-coded all the elements that can be adjusted within the appliance. Does learning to load better involve buying a new appliance? You be the judge.
While additional components like folding racks stack to take advantage of every inch of space, stacking dishes within those spaces isn’t recommended. Like items such as bowls or containers will nest, and the sprayer arms may not be able to reach some items well enough to clean them. Make sure to place curved items like bowls in the bottom rack between the tines, angled with the dirty side facing inward so the sprayer can reach inside.
Let Detergent Do Its Work
We're very guilty of this transgression: putting pots and large plastic cutting boards in the front of the lower rack, nearest the door. According to the pros at Whirlpool, this can block the detergent door, inhibiting the solution from making its way to the rest of the dishes. Yikes. Place large items on the sides or back of the bottom rack so water can reach all your dishes.
And how about this mind-blowing tidbit: The harder the water is in your location, the more detergent you'll need. Unsure of your water hardness? Go ahead and fill the dispenser about halfway. It turns out that I've been overfilling my detergent for my entire adult life. Detergent needs will also depend on a variety of other factors including how soiled your dishes are, the detergent formula (powder, liquid, or pod), and other machine specifications.
Load Plastics on Top
KitchenAid reminds us that plastic containers should be loaded on the top rack, especially if your dishwasher has a heating element (and most do). Putting plastics too close to that element can cause them to warp or melt.
Also, if you've noticed plastic cups and utensils are still wet after the dry cycle, it might not be a user or machine error. Plastics are porous, which makes them dry slower than other materials. It's best to remove them from the dishwasher and let them air dry the rest of the way if needed.
Don't Overlap
If your spouse swears their method for loading the dishwasher is the end all be all, we sure do hope they're reading this. According to GE Appliances, there are quite a few methods for correctly loading a dishwasher and perhaps even more methods for loading it incorrectly (see above). Modern water jets in GE dishwashers let you face your dishes every which way, but the key is to make sure water can spray between the dishes. Don't overlap bowls or stack utensils on top of each other, and you'll be fine.
Promote Optimal Drying
Do you need a rinse agent? Viking says that this additive really does aid your load, in that it greatly improves drying and reduces spotting, filming, and moisture left on the dishwasher interior. Remove the frustration of seeing your glasses come out spotty, making you feel like you need to wash them all over again.
Starting your dishwasher off on the right foot doesn't start and end with proper loading. Just before starting your unit, run the kitchen sink until the tap water is hot. It'll ensure your dishwasher begins the cycle with hot water.
Follow These Tips
Here are a few more tricks for how to fit different-sized dirty dishes into your dishwasher for the best squeaky-clean results:
Place dishes between the dishwasher tines, not over them. Some dishwasher racks have adjustable tines to accommodate oversized items.
In the top rack, arrange mugs and glasses facedown between the tines to keep them knocking against each other.
Place long utensils lying flat on the top rack. Some dishwashers have a special rack that folds down to hold these items.
Arrange large items like pots and baking sheets toward the outside of the basket.
To fit tall items like baking sheets, roasting pans, and large pots on the bottom rack, raise the top rack if it’s adjustable, or see if the top rack can be removed completely.
If using a utensil basket, you may need to place silverware upright to fit in individual slots. Place any sharp utensils facing down to avoid accidents when loading or unloading. To avoid nesting spoons, place some facing up and others facing down if needed.
Unload in Order
Just as there’s a right way to load a dishwasher, there are a few tips for unloading it in a certain order. Start with the bottom rack so water from plastics and concave areas won’t spill onto the dry dishes below. Dishes that are still wet should go on a drying rack to dry.
And remember, before you unload those clean dishes, wash your hands so you don’t spread bacteria to your sanitized dinner plates.
Once you get your process locked down for loading, go through our best tips on what not to put in your dishwasher to keep this workhorse in good condition!
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