Loading the Dishwasher: You're Doing It Wrong

on July 19, 2010 at 7:10 AM

If which way to load the toilet paper roll is the most controversial question in a household, how to load a dishwasher can't be far behind.

The dishwasher scene in Rachel Getting Married spawned its own loyal fan base -- and foes.

But there are the dishwasher afficionados . . . and then there are the experts. To get the most efficient dishwasher answers, The Stir went straight to the source: Sandra Steward, dishwasher experience expert designer at Whirlpool Corporation.

Her answers are guaranteed to start a new fight in your home. But at least you've got the upper hand now.

Always load dishes so that the water from the spray arms can reach the soiled surfaces
Load dishes so water can drain off completely for best drying results.
Load items so open ends face down for best cleaning and draining.
Load dishes, pots and pans and utensils so that they do not block any of the spray arms. This may require raising the upper rack on models with this feature. Spin spray arms to assure that they can turn freely after loading is complete.
Load items so that they do not significantly block or cover another item (this includes nested items and one item being placed over another).
Place cutting boards, cookie sheets and platters along the sides or back of the rack so they don't block water flow, which shoots out from the machine's center.
Load spoons and forks with some handles up and some down so they don't nest. Load all knives with handles up. Check the manufacturer's instructions for sharp prep knives to determine if they are dishwasher-safe.
Small bowls may be loaded so they stand "at attention" in the center row of the top rack. Those in the rear section should face forward and those in the front section should face backward so the center sprayer reaches all of them.
Load breakable glasses and cups in the rows between the tines. Placing them OVER the tines may result in damage and water spots.
Load lightweight items, such as plastics, so that they are held firmly in place
To avoid chipping, load china, crystal and other delicate items so that they don't touch each other.

We know you have to do something differently. What do you disagree with?

Image via kevindooley/Flickr

About the author Jeanne Sager

writes articles for The Stir by day, slays closet monsters and bounds through bedtime stories with her elementary schooler by night. Diet Pepsi courses through her veins. The Phineas and Ferb soundtrack reverberates through her brain.

Filed Under: kitchen

Comments (12)

science_spot

on Jul 19, 2010 at 9:17 AM

I didn't see a comment on how much food should be left on them? We like to rinse them mostly clean before loading... is this necessary?

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cleanaturalady

on Jul 19, 2010 at 6:52 PM

That is pretty much how I load mine.

fryshannon34

on Jul 21, 2010 at 11:24 AM

I am the dishwasher and I have no problems getting loaded before doing them!!!lol

sodapple

on Jul 21, 2010 at 2:30 PM

i'm happy i don't have a dishwasher. although when my sink is a mess i do want one =-/

Pnukey

on Jul 21, 2010 at 10:16 PM

That's just about how I load mine. YAY! I'm doing it right. :)

tonyalynn

on Jul 22, 2010 at 12:34 AM

thanks for the tips.

ethans_momma06

on Jul 22, 2010 at 11:08 AM

Pretty standard for how we do it at home except I allows put the glasses OVER the tines since I thought that that was what they were there for! Whoops! And I always put my forks with the handles facing upwards as well. If you fall on a fork with the tines up.... it is likely to stab you as well. Maybe not as deep as a knife but I feel the risk is still there.

tazdvl

on Jul 22, 2010 at 11:16 PM

I am the dishwasher. Growing up we had one and that is how I loaded it, except the glasses and forks, like ethans_momma I always thought you put the glasses over the tines and feel it is safer to have the forks tines down.