The dishwasher is one of the best modern conveniences. Instead of washing every single dish by hand, you can load all of your dirty dishes in the dishwasher and have them completely cleaned and sanitized in an hour or so! Many think loading a dishwasher is a no-brainer, but you are likely making a few mistakes.
Don’t worry, because these mistakes are very common! If you threw away the dishwasher user manual, let us explain the best ways to utilize your dishwasher to get your dishes clean the right way.
1. Don’t pre-rinse your dishes
All you need to do is get rid of large leftover food and stick it in the dishwasher. If you pre-rinse, your dishwasher may not work as effectively. The only exception? If you are not going to run your dishwasher right away and dishes may sit in there for days. Then you should rinse to avoid smells.
2. Always use hot water
Studies show that 120 degrees is the optimal temperature to get rid of all food stains on your dishes. Make sure to check your home’s water temperature and always run the dishwasher on the hot setting.
3. Never load dishes on the top rack
The top rack is for bowls, glasses, and other smaller items. Dishes are designed to go on the bottom rack, so they won’t be properly cleaned if they are on the top one. You should also stay away from loading glasses and mugs in the bottom rack.
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