ITV expert says you’re probably loading the dishwasher wrong

Loading the dishwasher can often lead to arguments when someone ‘doesn’t do it right’. You might think that it doesn’t really matter where things go, as dishes should eventually come out sparkling and clean – but apparently it does.

Grace Forell has spoken about what items should go where in the dishwasher for best results. And, most of us have been making the same mistake for years – it seems.

Speaking on a recent episode of ITV’s This Morning, she demonstrated the best parts of the dishwasher to use for different items to get the best results. Starting with the top shelf, Grace said that “anything you drink out of” should go here, such as glasses and mugs.

Grace added: “I would put these to the side if possible. That’s because the spray arms and the temperature are a little bit weaker at the sides, so then you’re not going to be damaging delicate glassware.”

She also added that plastic items – like tupperware or certain utensils – should go in the top of the dishwaser for similar reasons. She said: “The temperature is a little bit lower at the top.”

Little plates are also fine to add to the top shelf, Grace added, but warns not to sort them “too close” together. The idea is about maximising space and, saving the larger part of the machine for bulkier items like dinner plates, trays and other cookware makes sense.

The bottom of the dishwasher has the highest temperature and the water jets are most powerful. So, Grace said that this is where anything really grubby should go.

Grace was interrupted by host Ben Shepherd as she propped a Pyrex dish over the rack meant for cutlery. She explained: “It’s propped up with plenty of room for cutlery to go underneath.”

Many of us who own dishwashers fall into a rhythm of what can and cannot go in, based on the items we use most in the kitchen. However, some common myths might actually be making our lives harder when it comes to keeping our plates clean.

Do you need to pre-rinse dishes before adding them to the dishwasher?

For some of us, this just feels more productive, but in reality, rinsing plates before stacking them wastes time and water.

“My answer [to this question] is generally no,” said Grace. “Scrape large debris into the bin by all means, but you don’t need to rinse your dishes before you put them in because most [dishwasher] cycles have a pre-rinse feature as part of the program.”

It’s often the biggest mistake that most appliance owners make. Many dishwashers have turbidity sensors that detect dirt levels in the water and adjust the cycle accordingly.

Rinsing dishes can trick these sensors into running a shorter, less intensive wash, leaving dishes dirtier. And, whilst it sounds counterintuitive, dishwasher detergents are designed to work better on dirty dishes.

The enzymes in soaps are designed to attract themselves to dirt particles and be rinsed away. However, if dishes are thoroughly rinsed, they have nothing to attach to, and your expensive cleaning products will not be as effective.