never go in the dishwasher.
Scrape, don’t rinse
Today’s dishwashers are
equipped with soil sensors
that can assess how dirty
your dishes are and adjust
the amount of energy and
water needed to clean them.
For that reason, users should
scrape dishes, not rinse
them clean, Janeway said.
Larger detritus can bounce
around the dishwasher
while it’s running and end
up stuck on other dishes.
Scrape off cereal and
clumps of food, shells,
bones and objects like
toothpicks. Sauces and
liquids are fine left on.
“Your dishwasher
shouldn’t become a garbage
disposal,” Janeway said.
Pre-rinsing isn’t needed
and may be a waste of water.
Don’t overcrowd
Water and detergent
should be able to flow
freely, so don’t pack in
dishes too tightly.
“Detergent should
be able to spring out of
dispensers,” Janeway said.
Work with what your
dishwasher offers by
loading plates, glasses
and dishes in the
direction of the tines,
positioning them so water
is able to spritz between
them, Janeway said.
And then there’s ...
People put the
craziest things in their
dishwashers, from car
parts to bras to computer
keyboards, but Consumer
Reports testing finds
that the dishwasher is
made to clean dishes,
glasses, silverware, pots
and pans, and not much
else, Janeway said. Other
items can be ruined in or
ruin your dishwasher.
Start at the top
The top shelf is the place
for glasses, cups and small
bowls. Plastics that are
labeled dishwasher-safe also
belong on the top shelf.
Older plastics that are
not labeled should not be
washed in the dishwasher.
The heat can cause the
chemicals in the plastic
to leach, Janeway said.
Bigger on bottom
Plates, cutting boards
and serving platters
belong on the bottom rack,
positioned at the back or
sides so that they don’t
block jets from dispensing
water, Janeway said.
“Cruddy casserole dishes go up
front face-down,” Janeway said.
Aluminium and stainless steel pots
and pans that are dishwasher-safe
also belong on the bottom rack.
Up versus down
The standard advice for utensils is: Forks
and spoons are placed handles-down, but
knives go in the dishwasher handles-up for
safety. It doesn’t really matter for dull butter
knives, Janeway said, but good knives should
Do not dishwash
• The coating of
nonstick cookware
can be ruined in the
dishwasher, Janeway said.
• Wood cutting boards
and utensils should not
be machine-washed
because the combination
of water and heat can
cause them to warp and
crack, Janeway said.
• Cast-iron cookware
should also take a pass
because the dishwasher can remove the
seasoning home chefs have built up.
• Insulated mugs may be dishwasher-
safe but may lose the potential to hold their
heat after dishwashing, Janeway said.
Work with what your dishwasher offers by loading plates,
glasses and dishes in the direction of the tines, position-
ing them so water is able to spritz between them.
2018 Fall Vermont Home, Garden & Car • 11