It is not difficult to load the dishwasher, but doing it correctly improves the quality of the wash; Furthermore, it allows you to save time, electricity and obtain the best results with each use.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Load the Dishwasher Efficiently
Step 1. Insert the dishes into the spaces of the lower basket
Make sure they face the center of the appliance and if they do tilt, direct them down and in. This is because the pipes, spouts and rotating arms that spray the water direct their flow from the center outwards. The water flows both from top to bottom and outwards, and from the bottom and always outwards.
Make sure that all surfaces are separated from each other and that the water flow can reach them
Step 2. Cups, glasses and bowls should be placed at a slight angle to receive water from below
Stack the bowls neatly on the incline, so the detergent can clean the inside surfaces and then come out. This arrangement also allows you to make better use of the space than the completely flat one.
Step 3. Place the Tupperware containers and all other plastic items in the upper basket
Since the heating element, in most models, is located at the base of the dishwasher, it is better not to put the plastic elements in the lower basket, to prevent them from melting or deforming.
Step 4. Place the turned pots and pans into the bottom section of the dishwasher
- Do not overfill the appliance; if you can't insert something, wash it by hand.
- If necessary, wash the large dishes by hand or do two consecutive washes.
Step 5. Insert the cutlery in the special container taking care to point them upwards
Try to keep the elements spaced as much as possible. Knives, forks and spoons must be stored with the handle down. In general, dangerous or very sharp knives should be washed by hand, as they lose their thread in the dishwasher. Do not put all utensils or dishes with wooden handles in the dishwasher.
- Arrange the cutlery well apart and space out the dirty surfaces of the spoons and forks so that the water can reach them. Good separation is the key to clean dishes.
- Very long cutlery can block the nozzles, sprayers and rotating arms; therefore they should be placed horizontally in the upper basket.
- Place the larger cutlery on the top of the appliance. Arrange them so that the ladles and spoons are facing downwards; by doing so, you allow the water to clean them and not stagnate inside.
Step 6. The cutting board and large trays should be placed around the outer perimeter of the lower basket if they do not fit snugly into the plate holders
Typically, cutting boards should be washed by hand, as the heat emitted by the dishwasher could deform them.
Step 7. To store the wine glasses, use the plastic holder located in the upper basket
If your dishwasher model has rack-like supports that fold up and down, be aware that they are designed to block wine glass stems. These are perfect for preventing delicate items from scratching or breaking.
Step 8. Before each start, check that the arms and other rotating devices can move freely and that nothing is blocking the hoses or nozzles
Also, check that the detergent containers are open. If any of these elements are blocked or clogged, you will not get well washed dishes.
Step 9. Fill the detergent compartment located in the lower part of the dishwasher or inside the door; you can use both a liquid and a powder product
Add detergent up to the line indicating the maximum allowed level. If you are using soap tablets, just put one in the bowl or near the bottom edge of the door before closing the door. Depending on the water temperature and the length of the wash cycle, some films that contain the detergent in tablets may not dissolve completely and may even clog the drains. For this reason, dishwasher manufacturers advise against these types of products.
- If you have two soap containers on the door, just fill the first one. It is programmed to open after the soak or prewash cycle which softens food encrustations.
- Fill the second compartment well if you have had bad results before or if you know that the dishes are particularly dirty.
Method 2 of 2: Getting the Most Out of the Dishwasher
Step 1. Scrape the large food residues off the plates and throw them in the trash
Remove the bones, vegetable leftovers, seeds and peels. Anything that is thick and encrusted should be eliminated; however, even the smallest particles, such as grains of rice, may not be "wiped out" by the dishwasher. Even if you don't want to wash the dishes, you should still wipe off major dirt with a fork or kitchen paper for good results.
Start the soaking program, but only if necessary. Most dishwashers and detergents are most effective if they have something to remove. If the dishes are not clean after washing, however, it is best to sprinkle them lightly with water before the food has a chance to dry on them
Step 2. Learn which foods generally get rid of easily and which ones the dishwasher can't wash away
Proteins such as those from eggs or cheese, crusted foods and starches that have had time to dry on the dishes need more attention. If you do a light pre-wash or scrub the dishes, the action of the appliance will be more effective. You can soak the dishes in the sink before loading the dishwasher.
Step 3. Use a rinse aid or liquid for "pre-wash" to avoid water stains and get shiny dishes
This way, you can minimize water stains, especially if the one in your area is particularly rich in limestone. You do not have to fill the rinse aid dispenser with each wash, just do it a couple of times a week or a month, according to the instructions in the user manual.
- You can replace commercial rinse aid with white vinegar, although the quality of the result will be slightly different.
- Some detergents already contain rinse aid, read their label for more details.
- If your water system is equipped with a softener or the water in your municipality is low in minerals, the rinse aid may be useless.
Step 4. Start the garbage disposal before turning on the dishwasher
Often the drains of these two systems are common, so it is essential that they are empty. If you don't have a garbage disposal, use a filter stopper in the sink to prevent debris and food residue from accumulating in the pipes.
Step 5. Be aware that you can also use a cold water cycle if your detergent is labeled "phosphate free"
Modern dishwasher detergents have eliminated these dangerous substances, replacing them with enzymes that work at any temperature. This way, you can save money and electricity.
Step 6. Open the hot water tap on the kitchen sink until the water reaches a considerable temperature and only then start the dishwasher
These appliances are equipped with a heating element, but you can get better results if you provide them with already hot water. If there is a shortage of water in your area, collect it in a basin and reuse it for watering plants or for other purposes.
Step 7. Do not overfill the dishwasher, otherwise food residues will be trapped on the surfaces
You should never overlap the dishes, or force them into the baskets in an abnormal position. Load the dishwasher until the various compartments are full, but within the limits of their capacity. Try to understand the source of the problem if the dishes are not clean after washing. Perhaps you have crowded the baskets too much, preventing the appliance from performing its task at its best.
Advice
- Start the appliance with full load. This way, you can save water compared to washing by hand, especially if you don't use the dishwasher a lot and don't activate the soak function.
- Store powder detergents in a dry place until it's time to use them.
- To improve energy efficiency, program the shortest wash cycle, but ensure that the dishes are clean. Those that are very aggressive and at high temperatures should only be selected for loads of heavily soiled dishes. Run the dishwasher fully loaded, but don't overdo it.
- Load the dishwasher as you cook or clear. Get in the habit of storing dishes in the appliance instead of the sink.
- Choose a wash program with air drying. If the dishes are not completely dry at the end of the cleaning cycle, leave the door open (even if only partially) before removing them.
- Some models are not equipped with spray arms under the upper basket. If you think that your dishwasher is not able to wash the glasses or other objects stored in the upper basket properly, try to understand if any large items in the lower one are blocking the flow of water from the spray arms located on the bottom.
- Make sure your dishwasher gets hot water right away if you use high temperature programs. Set the boiler thermostat to 50 ° C.
Warnings
- Wooden dishes and those with wooden handles must be washed by hand.
- Do not insert objects larger than the height of the lower section of the dishwasher. Otherwise, you will have a hard time opening the door after washing.
- Do not put aluminum cookware, silver or solid silver plated cutlery, and any other reactive metal in the dishwasher to prevent the finish from corroding and blackening.
- Do not fill the detergent dispenser above the mark for the maximum permitted level.
- Consider hand washing delicate crystal glasses and wine glasses. However, if you decide to put them back in the appliance, make sure they cannot come into contact with each other or with other dishes, otherwise they could break.
- Use only a dishwasher-specific detergent. Do not use that for hand washing dishes.
