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Post Info TOPIC: The Right Way to Load Your Dishwasher
Lady Gaga Snerd


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The Right Way to Load Your Dishwasher
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Modern dishwashers are marvels of appliance engineering. They use scalding water to kill bacteria, potent jets to scour food remnants, and enough insulation to keep the whole operation from emitting airport-like levels of noise pollution. Unfortunately, no dishwasher has been invented that can overcome improper loading of the interior. And contrary to popular belief, cramming everything you can into the racks isn’t ideal. Consumer Reports looked at the right—and wrong—way to fill up the appliance, and their tips can almost guarantee spotlessly clean dishes.

If you have an older dishwasher, you’ll want to pre-rinse to eliminate larger food chunks. (Modern models generally don’t require this step.) You’re probably already placing cups and glassware on the top rack, but be careful not to overcrowd it with too many items. In addition to increasing the risk of breakage, an overstuffed rack doesn’t allow water and detergent to circulate easily.

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Bowls typically go on top, but not all of them should face the same direction. Put bowls in the back facing forward and put the ones in front facing backward. That allows for better water penetration. (Plates on the lower rack can all face the same way.) If you’re washing plastic containers, keep those on the top, too: the heating element under the bottom rack could warp them.

 

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For silverware, you always want to have the business end of your forks and spoons facing up. Knives, however, should be loaded facing down so you don’t risk cutting yourself when pulling them out. And be sure to mix up your utensils, since having all spoons or all forks in the same compartment can lead to “nesting,” where they collapse together. That prevents some surfaces from getting clean. Spatulas and other long-handled tools should be placed horizontally so they don’t slip through the rack and block the spray arm from turning.

Larger items go on the bottom rack—which you’ve probably figured out yourself—but be careful not to put items with flat surfaces like cutting boards in the middle. Those should go on the sides so they don’t block the water spray.

Avoid putting in anything made of brass, bronze, wood, or larger kitchen knives, which can be damaged by high heat and harsh detergents. You’ll also want to run your hot water in the sink so the dishwasher cycle starts at a higher temperature. And don’t forget that many dishwashers have an adjustable upper rack to accommodate taller items on the bottom.

[h/t Consumer Reports]

 

http://mentalfloss.com/article/539097/right-way-load-your-dishwasher



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I won't show this to my DH. He always told me to put the utensils tines up, and I always put them in down. His grandfather was an appliance repairman, and he told him to do this. My MIL contradicted this however and agreed with me. At any rate. I hate reaching in and grabbing the business end of a utensil. I don't think it's sanitary to be touching that part which ends up in someone's mouth.

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I never load the utensils up. You are contaminating them when you pick them up to put away.

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Divine Geek


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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

I never load the utensils up. You are contaminating them when you pick them up to put away.

 I load facing up. But don't have to worry about contamination as I always wash my hands prior to unloading the dishwasher. Doesn't seem right to put away clean dishes with dirty hands



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Momala


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During my course for a food handler's license,
the instructor was ADAMANT that we load
silverware MOUTH DOWN. That way, when
you unload the silverware, you only touch
the handles, not the business end.



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I have some up and some down as i really don't care about it all that much!!! lol

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I have some up and some down as i really don't care about it all that much!!! lol

 Well then that is one thing you have no OCD about. Me?  I have an issue with it. When DD's friends are over and load it "wrong" I re do it.wink



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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If the dishes are clean, i don't care! lol

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Vette


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Divine Geek wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

I never load the utensils up. You are contaminating them when you pick them up to put away.

 I load facing up. But don't have to worry about contamination as I always wash my hands prior to unloading the dishwasher. Doesn't seem right to put away clean dishes with dirty hands

 Very logical! 



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lilyofcourse


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I am the dishwasher.

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lilyofcourse wrote:

I am the dishwasher.

 Haha me too, I only use mine as a drying rack



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lilyofcourse


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I use ours to store the things we rarely use.

It hasn't worked in almost 15 years, didn't really use it much anyway.


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Charley Harper
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Unless you sterilize your hands with boiling water, there are germs, IMO. Plus, I just don't like grabbing the fork tines, I'd rather grab them by the handle.

DH also loads the plates with the upside racing the right. He seems to think they stay in the rack better. Sorry, my arm just doesn't turn that way. They face the left.

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lilyofcourse


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Here's a question, everyone washes their dishes after using them, but, do you ever wash them before using them?

I have a habit of washing them before I use them.

Like some of y'all said, germs on hands and such, and dishes sitting in a cabinet, people touch them to put them up, when getting them out, and just air born stuff and dust gets on them.

Do you ever think about it that way?

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Charley Harper
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Not really. We tend to use the same ones over and over and they get washed in 400 degree water and go straight into the cabinet so they are good.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I wash my Christmas china before using it. It's a closet all year so of course that gets washed. It cannot be put into the dishwasher. So, it's all hand washed.

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Ohfour


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Always utensils up. They get cleaner that way. I don't care about germs...
Knives never get put in the dishwasher.

But since I rarely load it, I really dine care.

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lilyofcourse


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I find its faster for me to wash them.

By the time we eat, the only thing left to wash is what we are using.



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My dishwasher is 14+ years old, so
I'm pretty sure I'll have to be looking
for a replacement pretty soon.

I want simple - the fewer knobs/controls
the better.

DH and I have found that my cat uses
far more dishes than we do! Hers are
the bread-and-butter plates that we
rarely use. Do I spoil her? Naaaahh!



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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I wash my Christmas china before using it. It's a closet all year so of course that gets washed. It cannot be put into the dishwasher. So, it's all hand washed.

 OMG LOL this reminds me of a story within my family. We were all out side one day at my sis's for whatever holiday and my nephew looks up  and see's his 3 YO sister naked in the bathroom window and exclaims I can see "nieces" china.  So the joke for almost 20 years has been to be gentle on the china.  I get most of you will not be amused by I am. 



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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I wash my Christmas china before using it. It's a closet all year so of course that gets washed. It cannot be put into the dishwasher. So, it's all hand washed.

 OMG LOL this reminds me of a story within my family. We were all out side one day at my sis's for whatever holiday and my nephew looks up  and see's his 3 YO sister naked in the bathroom window and exclaims I can see "nieces" china.  So the joke for almost 20 years has been to be gentle on the china.  I get most of you will not be amused by I am. 

LOL!biggrin 



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Ohfour wrote:

Always utensils up. They get cleaner that way. I don't care about germs...
Knives never get put in the dishwasher.

But since I rarely load it, I really dine care.

With our new dishwasher, you can load them up and down, for better cleaning.

The basket hangs on the door, and you can lay it down, and open it up, for unloading.

No touching anything but handles, no matter which way they went in.

Win!wink 



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Forks/spoons, cooking utensils - business side up. Table knives - blade down. My knives I use for cooking do not go in the dishwasher.

Bowls, cups, small pots, spatulas - top rack. Plates, large pots, cookie sheets, cutting boards, skillets - bottom rack.

I do have a few pieces of cookware that aren't dishwasher safe. Those get washed by hand and either dried immediately or set on the table to dry.

I don't worry about germs. Never really have. I know where my family's been. Not concerned about catching something from them.

I do a quick rinse of cookware and utensils before I use them to get the dust off. This is AZ. Dust gets places you wouldn't expect it.

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