Do you find yourself regularly pulling dirty dishes out of the dishwasher at the end of a cycle? If you’re finding that your dishwasher is not cleaning properly, you may not be using the best way to load a dishwasher.
Here’s the thing: loading a dishwasher is simple, but doing it correctly takes some know-how. No matter how advanced your machine is, you won't get the best results if you load your dishwasher incorrectly.
Whether you’re just learning how to load your dishwasher or teaching your teen the proper way to load a dishwasher before they leave the nest, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn our best tips on how to fill a dishwasher the right way, for a sparkling clean every time.
Disclaimer: Not every dishwasher functions the same–for specific dishwasher loading recommendations, refer to your machine’s dishwasher manufacturing guidelines.
1. Prepare Your Dishes
When you first learned how to put dishes in the dishwasher you may have been told to pre-rinse. Believe it or not, it’s a myth that you need to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
In fact, most dish detergents are designed to react with the food on your dishes, so rinsing them beforehand can actually make your cycle less effective. We recommend using Finish® Ultimate because it has enough cleaning power to tackle food residue and burnt-on stains, even in older machines.
While you don’t need to pre-rinse your dishes, you should always scrape off remaining food before putting dishes in the dishwasher. A dishwasher’s filter can easily tackle small food bits, but larger pieces of food can clog your filter and cause problems.
2. Sort Out Dishwasher-Safe and Unsafe Materials
Not every material is dishwasher-safe. Cast iron, for instance, can rust in the dishwasher and wood can splinter and crack.1
It’s important to comb through your dishes and sort out any items that shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, including:
- Nonstick cookware
- Kitchen knives
- Fine china
- Crystal and delicate glassware
- Wooden or silver dishware
- Cast iron pans
If you’re ever unsure if an item is dishwasher-safe, look for the dishwasher symbol on the bottom or check its manufacturer guidelines.
3. Load the Top Rack
In order to understand how to pack a dishwasher, it’s helpful to know how a dishwasher works. Every dishwasher has rotating spray arms that sit beneath each rack. These spray water and detergent upwards towards your dishes, rinsing off food particles and washing them. That’s why it’s important to place all dishes upside down in the dishwasher; the water is coming from underneath.
The top rack should be reserved for smaller items like glasses, small bowls, mugs, and dishwasher-safe utensils. Dishwasher-safe plastic items should also be loaded on top to protect them from the heating element, which sits at the bottom of your dishwasher.2 Learn more about what plastic can go in your dishwasher, so you can avoid damaging your best meal-prep and portable containers.
Once you’ve loaded the top rack, give the sprayer arm a spin to ensure nothing is blocking it. If it’s unable to turn, it won’t function properly.
4. Load the Bottom Rack
Larger items like plates, mixing bowls, dishwasher-safe pots and pans, and more should go on the bottom rack. It’s best to pack items all facing the same direction with space between them.
For instance, make sure to load bowls facing down in the same direction and separate each bowl with a tine. If items are packed too tightly, water won’t be able to get between the dishes and clean.2.
Place dishwasher-safe cutting boards and platters towards the sides and back of the dishwasher to prevent them from disrupting the flow of water and detergent.
5. Load the Silverware Basket
After implementing our dishwasher rack tips, you can start loading silverware. Depending on your dishwasher’s design, you may have a dishwasher basket or separate rack reserved for silverware.
If you have a basket, load your forks and spoons handle-down to make sure the dirtiest parts are well-spaced and able to get a thorough clean. For knives, however, you’re going to want to load them blade-down, handle-up to prevent accidental cuts when you load and unload them.
If you have a silverware rack, load your silverware face-down and group like silverware together.
6. Run Your Dishwashing Cycle
Modern dishwashers offer a number of different cycles to achieve different goals. In most cases, you’ll want to use a normal wash cycle to wash your dishes. Refer to your manufacturer’s guide to learn how to use your dishwasher properly.
In some cases, you may want to modify your cycle. You can use an eco-friendly mode to save energy, a heavy wash cycle for extra soiled dishes, and more.
How to Load a Dishwasher FAQs
How do you arrange dishes in a dishwasher?
For the best way to load your dishwasher, follow these tips:
- Group like dishes together. Load bowls next to bowls, plates next to plates, etc.
- Start from the front to load most efficiently and maximize space.
- Face all dishes downward for the best clean and to avoid puddles of dirty dishwater at the end of your cycle.
- Dishwasher silverware–up or down? Spoons and forks should be loaded with the handle facing down and knives should be loaded with the handle facing up to prevent injury when loading and unloading.
What is the wrong way to load a dishwasher?
Avoid these some common dishwasher-loading mistakes:
- Rinsing your dishes first. Dish detergents are designed to react with food particles on your dishes, so dishes that go in too clean can mess up your cycle.
- Nesting dishes too tightly. Water needs space to get in between your dishes in order to clean.
- Blocking the spray arms. If these can’t rotate properly, your dishes won’t get clean.
What if my dishes aren’t getting clean?
If you’re loading your dishwasher correctly and your dishes still aren’t getting clean, explore the following:
- For leftover hard water stains, use a detergent specifically designed to tackle hard water, like Finish® Hard Water Quantum.
- For chronic dishwasher odor, run a dishwasher cleaning cycle with Finish® dishwasher cleaner.
Dishwasher Loading 101
Properly loading your dishwasher isn’t hard, but it does take some knowledge. By following these directions, you can achieve a great clean every time. For an even better result, explore Finish® Jet Dry. This rinse aid helps to rinse, dry, and boost the shine on your dishes.
References:
- Stewart, Martha. "Non-Dishwasher-Safe Kitchenware Damage." Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2023, www.marthastewart.com/7988368/non-dishwasher-safe-kitchenware-damage.
- Dorosheff, Julia. "How to Load a Dishwasher." Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2023, www.bonappetit.com/story/loading-a-dishwasher.
