Whether you've just moved into your first home with a dishwasher, upgraded from hand washing, or simply want to ensure you're using your appliance correctly, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Many people grew up washing dishes by hand and find the transition to machine washing surprisingly nuanced. Understanding the basics will help you achieve spotless dishes every time while extending the life of your appliance.
Key Takeaway
Using a dishwasher isn't just about pressing a button. Proper loading, the right detergent, and understanding your machine's cycles are essential for getting clean dishes efficiently. Once you master the basics, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.
Getting to Know Your Dishwasher
Before running your first load, take time to familiarise yourself with your dishwasher's components. Understanding how the machine works helps you use it more effectively.
Essential Components
- Spray Arms: Located at the bottom and often the middle of the dishwasher, these rotating arms spray water onto your dishes. Never block their rotation when loading
- Racks: Most dishwashers have upper and lower racks that pull out. Some have a third rack or cutlery tray at the top for utensils
- Filter: Located at the bottom, this catches food particles. Regular cleaning is essential for good performance
- Detergent Dispenser: Usually in the door, this compartment holds your dishwasher detergent and releases it at the right time during the cycle
- Rinse Aid Dispenser: A separate compartment for rinse aid, which helps dishes dry without water spots
Read Your User Manual
Every dishwasher model is slightly different. Your user manual contains specific information about your machine's features, recommended loading patterns, and maintenance requirements. If you've lost the manual, most manufacturers provide digital copies on their websites. Search for your model number to find the right document.
What Can and Cannot Go in a Dishwasher
Not everything belongs in a dishwasher. Understanding what's dishwasher-safe protects both your items and your machine.
Generally Dishwasher Safe
- Ceramic plates and bowls
- Stainless steel pots, pans, and utensils
- Glass and most drinking glasses
- Dishwasher-safe plastics (check the symbol on the bottom)
- Silicone cooking utensils
- Most cutlery except wooden-handled items
Never Put in a Dishwasher
- Wooden cutting boards and utensils
- Cast iron cookware
- Non-stick pans (unless specifically marked dishwasher safe)
- Crystal and delicate glassware
- Sharp knives (dulls the blade)
- Aluminium items (can discolour)
- Copper pots and pans
- Anything with gold or silver trim
- Insulated mugs and containers
Preparing Dishes for the Dishwasher
One of the most common questions is whether to rinse dishes before loading. The answer might surprise you.
Scrape, Don't Rinse
Modern dishwashers and detergents are designed to handle food residue. Simply scrape solid food waste into your compost bin or rubbish, but don't bother rinsing under the tap. Pre-rinsing wastes significant water and can actually reduce cleaning performance. Detergent enzymes need something to work on; pre-rinsed dishes may not come out as clean.
Handle Tough Residue
For baked-on or dried-on food, a brief soak is more effective than rinsing. Fill the pan with water and a drop of dish soap and let it sit while you load other dishes. For extremely stubborn residue, consider running an intensive or heavy cycle.
Loading Your Dishwasher Correctly
Proper loading is perhaps the most important factor in getting clean dishes. Water needs to reach all surfaces, and items shouldn't block the spray arms.
Lower Rack Basics
The lower rack is designed for larger, dirtier items. Place plates facing inward toward the centre, where water pressure is strongest. Ensure plates don't touch or nest together. Position pots and pans at an angle so water can reach inside and drain out. Heavily soiled surfaces should face the spray arms.
Upper Rack Basics
The upper rack is ideal for glasses, cups, smaller bowls, and dishwasher-safe plastics. Place glasses and cups upside down and at an angle to allow water to drain. Don't let items touch, as this can cause chipping and prevents proper cleaning. Secure lightweight plastic items so they don't flip over during the cycle.
Cutlery Loading
If your dishwasher has a cutlery basket, mix spoons, forks, and knives with handles alternating up and down. This prevents nesting where items block each other. Sharp knives should face down for safety. If you have a cutlery tray in the top rack, lay items flat with handles toward you.
Check the Spray Arms
Before starting every cycle, spin the spray arms by hand to ensure they can rotate freely. A single tall pot or utensil handle can block rotation and result in an entire load of dirty dishes.
Understanding Detergents
Dishwasher detergent is not the same as hand dishwashing liquid. Using the wrong type can damage your dishwasher and create a sudsy mess.
Types of Dishwasher Detergent
- Tablets/Pods: Pre-measured and convenient, these often include rinse aid and salt in multi-action formulas. They're the most popular choice for most households
- Powder: Allows you to adjust the amount for load size and soil level. Often the most economical option
- Gel/Liquid: Dissolves quickly and is gentle on delicates, but can be less effective on tough grease
Using Detergent Correctly
Place detergent in the designated dispenser, not directly in the dishwasher tub. The dispenser releases detergent at the optimal point in the cycle. If using tablets, don't unwrap them; the wrapper is designed to dissolve. Never use more detergent than recommended; excess doesn't improve cleaning and can leave residue on dishes.
Understanding Rinse Aid
Rinse aid is often overlooked but plays an important role in achieving spot-free, properly dried dishes. It reduces water's surface tension, allowing it to sheet off dishes rather than form droplets that leave spots.
Fill the rinse aid dispenser when the indicator shows it's low, typically every few weeks depending on usage. Most dispensers allow you to adjust the rinse aid amount; start with the middle setting and adjust based on results. In soft water areas, you may need less; in hard water areas, more.
Choosing the Right Cycle
Your dishwasher likely has several cycle options. Understanding when to use each one helps you balance cleaning performance with efficiency.
Common Cycles
- Normal/Auto: Your everyday cycle for typical loads with moderate soiling. Many modern dishwashers use sensors to adjust water and time automatically
- Eco/Economy: Uses less water and energy with longer cycle times. Ideal for lightly soiled everyday loads
- Intensive/Heavy: Higher temperatures and more water for heavily soiled pots and pans. Uses more resources
- Quick/Express: Fast cycle for lightly soiled dishes needed quickly. Not suitable for greasy items or baked-on food
- Delicate/Glass: Lower temperatures and gentle spray for fine glassware and delicate items
Running Your First Cycle
You're now ready to run your dishwasher. Here's a step-by-step process:
- Load dishes following the guidelines above
- Check that spray arms can rotate freely
- Add detergent to the dispenser and close it
- Ensure rinse aid level is adequate
- Close the door firmly until it latches
- Select your desired cycle
- Press start
During the cycle, avoid opening the door. Modern dishwashers use hot water and steam, which can escape and cause burns. The cycle will pause if the door is opened, extending total run time.
After the Cycle
Most dishwashers beep or indicate when the cycle is complete. For best results, open the door slightly and let dishes air dry for a few minutes. This allows steam to escape and dishes to cool. If your dishwasher has a heated drying option, dishes should be dry already, though plastics often remain slightly damp.
Unloading Tips
Unload the bottom rack first. This prevents water from cups and bowls on the top rack dripping onto dry dishes below. Store dishes promptly to prevent dust settling on them.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Even experienced dishwasher users sometimes make these errors:
- Overloading: If items touch or block spray arms, they won't get clean
- Pre-rinsing: Wastes water and can actually reduce cleaning effectiveness
- Wrong detergent: Never use hand dish soap in a dishwasher
- Running half loads: Wastes water and energy; wait for a full load
- Ignoring the filter: A dirty filter leads to dirty dishes
- Blocking the dispenser: Ensure large items don't prevent the detergent door from opening
With these fundamentals mastered, you're well on your way to efficient, effective dishwashing. Your dishwasher will become an indispensable part of your kitchen routine, saving you time and water compared to hand washing while delivering consistently clean results.