Even though loading a dishwasher is a simple task, most people still tend to get it wrong. It is not as simple as putting the dishes inside and turning the machine on. You need to make sure that your dishes are washed the right way as intended. Loading your dishwasher incorrectly may lead to problems and you may need to spend money on appliance repair services for fixes. So, let’s take a look at how to load a dishwasher properly.
Fully Rinse The Dishware Before Loading
The first misconception surrounding dishwashers is that in order for the machine to wash the dishware spotless, you need to fully rinse the dishware. However, that is not true. Dishwashers are designed to remove stubborn food particles. Plus, the detergent used also sticks to the remnants and helps the dishware get rid of them. For years, it has been said that moving the dirty dishes directly from the table to the dishwasher is a bad move. You should slightly rinse the dishware before placing them inside the machine and let it do the rest.
Water Temperature
There is a reason hot water is used when it comes to washing dishes. It helps break down the food particles. Since dishwashing machines use water to clean the dishes, the water must be hot enough as specified by the manufacturer. If you are unsure of the temperature, you can simply use a thermometer. As a general rule of thumb, if the temperature is less than 120 degrees, you should adjust the thermometer accordingly. Make sure that the water temperature does not rise above 120 degrees, which can hurt bathing or handwashing.
You Load Some Dishes On The Top Rack
You might have seen your family members positioning the plates on the top rack whereas it is the bottom rack that is designed to hold them. They are designed in such a way that they hold the dishes in place while they are being washed. Furthermore, you should not try to cramp plates on top of each other as well. Dishwashers wash and handle a limited amount of dishes at a time. If you cram the dishes, the efficiency of the dishwasher will decrease. The water along with the detergent needs to pass through the plates to clean them. If they are cramped, the dishes below will not end up spotless.
You Use Powder Or Liquid Detergent
For years, powder and liquid detergents have been used in dishwashing machines to achieve spotless finishes. However, it is time to move onto pods. Pods are pre-measured gel packs that outperform powder and liquid detergents. Although powder and liquid detergents get the job done as well, nothing matches the performance of pods. The best thing about them is that they do not leave any water spots or film discoloration.
The Dishware Face The Same Direction
The direction of the dishes plays an important role when it comes to cleaning. The bowls go on the top rack. The ones that are positioned in the rear should face forward while those at the front should be facing backward. This ensures that the water reaches all of them. Most people tend to face all the dishes in the same direction. This prevents the water from reaching the bowls properly leading to inefficient cleaning.
You Load Some Mugs Or Glass Items On The Bottom Rack
Most dishwashers come with a separate rack to hold glasses or mugs. This eliminates the need to cram them along with other dishes. The reason behind a separate rack is to allow the water to reach properly. Plus, position the glass and plastic cups face down so that the water can reach inside. Some dishwashers also come with areas to hold both small and large glasses along with bottle wash jets that ensure deep cleaning of the hard-to-reach areas.
Final Word
Dishwashers are fairly easy to use. It is just that people sometimes tend to voluntarily ignore the basics while washing the dishes. Plus, they are designed to offer ease and convenience. Therefore, you only need to ensure that the dishes face the right direction and are placed in their intended racks to achieve optimum cleaning. If your dishwasher is not cleaning the dishes when you load it properly, call in a dishwasher repair Northern VA service for inspection.
