Dishwasher feature that Brits use wrong – gets rid of water stains

There’s a dishwasher feature that many Brits use incorrectly, according to a survey. Dishwashers are incredibly handy devices, and they make cleaning up much easier, especially when we host things like Christmas dinner or a Sunday roast in our homes. Simply pop in a tablet and turn the dishwasher on, and your dishes should come out sparkling (as long as the dishwasher itself is clean). 

But there is one feature in your dishwasher that you might not be using correctly, or even using at all. You might notice it when you open your dishwasher and not even realise what it’s for. But experts have revealed exactly how you should use it as a slew of Brits overlook it when they load and switch on their dishwasher to clean their plates, bowls, mugs and glasses. In many dishwashers, there is a small component next to the detergent slot. 

This is for rinse aid, which helps get rid of water stains when your dishwasher is nearly finished. If you don’t use it, you might notice that glasses come out cloudy and other dishes have water stains on them.

A survey by consumer group Which? revealed that 12% of members have never used this feature, while 34% said they didn’t think rinse aid made a difference.

Andrew Laughlin, Which? dishwasher expert said: “Rinse aid, as the name suggests, will help water rinse off your dishes and glasses.

“It does this by reducing the surface tension of water, meaning it doesn’t stick to surfaces as easily in big droplets that take a long time to dry. Instead, the water can drain and evaporate away.

“Rinse aid is key if you want great drying results and it can also help prevent watermarks, leaving your dishes bone dry and crystal clear.”

To use rinse aid, you should fill the compartment when the indicator light comes on, which is usually marked with a star or droplet symbol. You can try adjusting the settings if your glasses still come out cloudy or spotty. “Too little rinse aid can cause marks, while too much can leave a cloudy film,” Which? revealed.