Should you rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?

Your dishes don’t need to be pre-rinsed when used with good quality detergent. Scraping off large chunks of food but leaving some food residue on is recommended. That way the enzymes from the detergent can attack the stuck-on food and not your plates. Although pre-rinsing dishes before loading is not necessary, if it works for you than keep doing it. After all, we wouldn’t want your hardworking dog to lose his pre-licking…I mean, pre-rinsing gig.

Why should you space out your dishes?

Dishes need their space. It’s not personal, they just need enough room to allow the detergent to reach every angle when being jet-sprayed on. So, make sure you can allow breathing room when loading your dishes to avoid dirt spots. Keep in mind that water jets might also shake up the items in the dishwasher. Having items too close together could lead to broken or cracked dishes & glassware – ouch! To preserve your Chinas and other delicate, don’t overload your dishwasher.

What goes on the top rack?

When loading the dishwasher, it's all about placement! The top rack is the best spot for fragile items like glass and cooking utensils as the pressure from the water jets is low. It’s also the perfect spot for your plastic Tupperware, bowls and lids so they don’t melt from the heat of the hot water. Think of the top shelf as a haven for your fragile items.

What goes on the bottom rack?

The bottom rack is for plates, large bowls, pots, pans and the silverware basket. Its larger and can easily fit other tall items like water jugs and pot lids. Just remember that when you're loading up, you don't want anything blocking the detergent door - that little guy needs to open during the cycle. Some people forget this and place items too close to the door, preventing the detergent door from opening. Be sure to keep this in mind when you’re loading pots, pans and other items that might stick out & block it.

How to load pots and pans?

When you’re putting in pots, pans or a casserole dish, you don’t want them just to sit vertically. You want them to be angled down towards the spray arms, so it gets the full blast of that detergent and water solution to take off any baked-on goods. There are rotating arms located on the top interior of your dishwasher that help distribute detergent and water throughout the entire machine. This rotation is crucial but can easily be interrupted by misplaced items; make sure to keep an eye out for anything that might get in the way.

Should knives, spoons, forks and other utensils point up or down in the dishwasher?

The best way to load cutlery – in the basket usually located on the bottom rack – is with the heads of each utensil sitting up and facing the top of the dishwasher. This way, any leftover detergent or food particles roll down to the bottom of the dishwasher. This is the best way to avoid food remaining stuck to the head, which is the part of the utensil that goes in your mouth when eating.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. For sharp items like steak knives or a paring knife, putting the head of the utensil down is advised. This reduces the risk of getting cut when reaching in to grab utensils. Safety over everything.

You also want to make sure that the cutlery is evenly spaced. Some of the new dishwashers from top brands like KitchenAid, Whirlpool, and Maytag now come with a third rack with its own spray arm to thoroughly coat and wash the utensils. Having this third-rack feature allows you to place cutleries flat and evenly spaced. It also gives you more space in the bottom rack, as you would have the option to get rid of the cutlery basket.

What dishwasher detergent is the best? Powder, liquid, or pods?

There are usually three types of detergent you can choose for your dishwasher: powder, liquid, or pods. You should refer to the manual for which type is best for your dishwasher as each manufacturer has their own preferred choice.

If you do go with a powdered detergent, make sure you store it in a dry and cool place. Moisture can make this type of detergent activate in clumps and if you put this into your dishwasher, it may not be as effective.

How much dishwasher detergent should you use per cycle?

It all depends on how dirty your dishes are. If you have a light load of dishes with minimal food residue, you could use only 1 tablespoon of detergent. However, if your dishes are heavily soiled and greasy then it might be worth upping the dosage to 2 tablespoons of detergent. Always make sure to check the instructions on your detergent’s packaging to ensure you are using the correct dosage. In the lower mainland, we have ultra-soft water which means you don't need to use as much detergent as most manufacturers recommend.

Use these tips and tricks to get sparkling clean dishes. If your dishwasher just isn’t working like it used to, it might be time to try these new tricks with a new dishwasher.