Everyone thinks their way of loading the dishwasher is the correct way — and many people think the way their partner or roommate loads it is the wrong way. We’ve asked the cleaning pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute (and searched Reddit) for info about how to load plates in the dishwasher the right way.
According to the r/CleaningTips community on Reddit, the great dishwasher debate is whether to have all plates facing the same direction or have them all facing the center of the machine.
All Plates Facing the Same Direction
The Reddit user who started the thread shared a photo of how they load the dishwasher, with all plates and bowls facing the same direction, compared to how their family member loads it.
While plenty agreed that they load it similarly, many mentioned their concern with how close the plates are to one another.
“Your way, but my instinct is to double-space the bowls. Looks a bit too tight for the water to pass through that stack,” wrote one user.
“You need way more spacing. Skip a couple of rungs,” wrote another.
Others had an entirely different concern, sharing that plates should actually face towards the center, meaning ones loaded on the left should face the ones loaded on the right so that all dirty surfaces are facing the sprayer in the middle of the dishwasher.
Plates Facing the Center of the Machine
One user felt particularly passionate about all plates facing the center of the machine, claiming they called their manufacturer for proper details: “The food-contacting sides of plates should be facing the center of the dishwasher… so if you have a bunch of plates ( ( ( ( ( (, they should be put in like this: ( ( ( ) ) )”
While some users expressed their gratitude for this important tip, others shared they’ve been doing the same thing their whole lives.
“The insides of plates should be facing inwards toward the nozzles,” wrote one user.
“Face the plate eating surfaces towards the center for better spray,” shared another.
The Verdict
As long as your plates are coming out of the dishwasher clean, there’s not too much to worry about. But if you’re wondering if there really is a “right” answer, we asked our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their opinion.
“While it’s always best to follow your dishwasher manufacturer’s loading guidelines, if they can go in either way (some racks only allow loading in one direction), it’s best to face the dirty surfaces toward the center for the best cleaning,” says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
So if you don’t currently follow this technique and have noticed residue on certain items after running the dishwasher, you might want to give it a shot
The Viral Way to Load Silverware in the Dishwasher
Who knew putting silverware in the dishwasher was so controversial? If you’re wondering how to load silverware in the dishwasher the right way, we tapped the pros and spent plenty of time browsing Reddit’s r/KitchenConfidential community for the answers.
Among other dishwasher debates, there’s a question of whether the utensils in the dishwasher should be loaded facing upwards (tongs up, handle down) or downwards (tongs down, handle up). And clearly, people have strong opinions on which way is correct!
Keep reading to see the arguments from both sides, plus the verdict from the pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.
The Case for Team Up
Reddit users who face their utensils upward when loading them into the dishwasher claim that putting the side that touches food (tongs, blade, etc.) up ensures it gets cleaned more thoroughly.
“Knives and forks? Go with up. The better cleaning does a lot more than any potential ‘contamination’ when unloading,” says one user. “Always down? I’ve…honestly never done that. Just seems wrong,” they added.
“Up. You unload wearing gloves or with clean hands,” writes another.
“If you’re at home, does it even really matter if you touched the part that goes into your mouth,” asks one user.
The Case for Team Down
Team down is all about safety and possible contamination—grabbing from the handle allows you to avoid touching anything sharp or possibly contaminating the freshly-cleaned utensils with the germs on your hands.
“I was always told to put it down so that when you unload silverware you can easily grab it by the handle because you’re not supposed to touch food contact surfaces bare-handed,” writes @El_Guerrero_Maya.
“I don’t believe for one second they’re cleaned better pointing up. Pointing down only,” writes one skeptic user.
The Verdict
While some feel very passionately that there is a black-and-white answer, there are also some users who say the issue is a bit more nuanced.
“Any kind of spoon? Alternate. Otherwise they will ‘spoon’ together and never get cleaned properly,” adds one user.
Others mention washing them twice if you work in the food service industry: “Flat on the tray, then down in the silver rack for the second run.”
“You should be running it through on a flat dish rack twice anyway, before it even ends up in the cutlery caddy,” writes another.
The verdict? Our cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab actually recommend a mix of all of the above:
- Alternate spoons so they don’t nest together.
- Forks go up so the tines get clean.
- Knives go down for safety.
So next time you go to load your utensils into the dishwasher, maybe it won’t be so automatic. Who knew?
The Best Way to Get Your Dishwasher to Actually Dry Your Dishes
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Many of us have had the frustrating experience of opening the dishwasher only to realize many items are still slightly wet. Wiping things dry as you unload isn’t the end of the world, but it’s definitely annoying. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to get your dishwasher to dry dishes more effectively.
The good news is that avoiding this dishwasher mishap doesn’t require an expensive or time-consuming fix. The tips below just require using the right settings on your dishwasher, loading it correctly, and adding the right dishwashing products to help your appliance run more effectively.
How to make your dishwasher dry better
Add rinse aid
Even if your detergent contains rinse aid, adding the liquid to the small compartment next to the detergent dispenser will help items dry more thoroughly. It makes water droplets less likely to cling, which helps eliminate spots and film, too. It’s a must-have in households with hard water.
Opt for “Extra” drying
All dishwashers today offer options to boost drying performance. After selecting your cycle, look for and choose your machine’s TurboDry, Dry Boost, Power Dry, or similar option for best results. Sure, it will use a bit more energy and extend the cycle time, but your energy and time are worth considering, too. Towel drying a few items usually isn’t a problem, but towel drying an entire load can be quite tiresome.
Use the right detergent
Many dishwasher detergents contain rinse aid to help items dry more thoroughly. Some—like Good Housekeeping Seal Star Cascade Platinum Plus Action Pacs—have ingredients to help items dry better, and that even help eliminate or at least minimize the puddles of water that can collect in cup bottoms.
Load with drying in mind
Make sure items, especially cups and glasses, are angled or tilted so excess water runs off them. Use your machine’s cup shelves or glassware holders, if you have them, and load plastic storage lids with the lips facing downward. And lightweight items that often flip upside down and fill with water should be anchored securely in place or hand-washed.
TIP: To keep towel drying to a minimum, start with the bottom rack when unloading. Doing so will keep any water that’s puddled in the top rack from dripping onto the already dry items below.
Why You Should Keep Silver Cutlery Out Of Your Dishwasher
The biggest culprit in the dishwasher is the detergent itself. Many formulas contain additives — especially acidic, citrus-derived compounds — that will accelerate tarnishing. They cling to the surface during the wash cycle, encouraging oxidation the moment the heat kicks in. Even pricey, “gentle” dishwasher pods can be too harsh. Another issue is that silver can have an electrolytic reaction to other metals, causing galvanic corrosion, especially in the presence of hot, alkaline water. Over time, the pieces will develop a mottled and bruised look. Then, there’s the physics of the wash chamber. Water jets jostle utensils around, and a soft metal like silver will dent and warp in the violence of the wash cycle. Decorative work that sticks out, along with the edges of spoons and the tines of forks, will wear down, bend or otherwise degrade.
Precious heirlooms should obviously be cared for, but even if you just got a jumble bag at the flea market, it’s worth protecting and caring for your silver. A mild hand-wash spares the metal from the stress that slowly erodes the brilliant finish.
Most of what you need to care for your silver is likely already in the pantry. The safest approach is a warm-water rinse to remove surface oils, followed by a paste made from baking soda and a small splash of water. This mixture has the gently gritty texture of damp sand and works as a controlled polishing agent. Use your fingers or a soft cloth to work it into the metal; you’ll notice the paste change color as it pulls the gunk off. For flatware with ornate handles or recessed patterns, a soft brush works to lift the paste from corners so it doesn’t leave a chalky film. Rinse well in warm water to remove any residue and dry the surface completely with a soft, lint-free cloth. A careless drying process can undo all your polishing, because silver shows water spots easily.
If the tarnish runs deeper, line a bowl with aluminum foil and dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in very hot water. Rest the silver so it touches the foil. The magic of chemistry begins immediately, pulling the sulfur compounds off the silver and depositing them onto the foil, right before your eyes. This hands-free method brightens pieces without rubbing away material, which can be especially helpful for older flatware that’s been polished many times before. When handled properly, your silver will age gracefully over many, many years.
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