If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning your dishes well, it may not be a problem with the appliance. The issue could be how you’re loading it. Changing how you load your machine can make a big difference. Here’s a look at the best loading practices to achieve peak cleaning.

Center Dishes With High Soil Levels

Modern dishwashers generally do a great job of handling a variety of dish shapes and soil levels. That said, it’s still best to load dishes and utensils in a specific pattern so that the dishwasher can function optimally.

If you have exceptionally dirty dishes, placing them close to the middle of the rack is best. This placement especially applies to larger dishes placed on the bottom rack.

The spray arms deliver the strongest spray closest to their centers. The lower spray arm also provides the hottest water since it’s closest to the heating element. Together, these qualities mean there’s better cleaning power closer to the center.

Allow Adequate Spacing

Loading as many dishes as possible into your appliance can be tempting, but doing so is counterproductive. Dishwasher tines are designed to hold dishes with a certain amount of space in between for optimal cleaning.

If you place dishes too close to each other, the water and detergent may not be able to reach every dish equally. Loading fewer dishes may mean more frequent loads, but the dishes you wash will be thoroughly clean.

Angle Dishes Down

Ideally, every dish you load in your dishwasher should be angled downward. For example, you should load plates and bowls on the bottom rack, placing them between dishwasher tines facing slightly down. That way, water and detergent can directly reach the surfaces in contact with food.

Similarly, you should place glasses, cups, and mugs fully upside down on the top rack. You can put small bowls on the top or bottom racks, ensuring they’re well-separated and angled downward.

Load Silverware Handle-Up

The guidelines for loading silverware and utensils are similar to those for other dishes. Handles should be up, and items should be placed so they are separated, not nested next to each other. This positioning allows water and detergent to reach each item effectively.

With these strategic adjustments, you can significantly improve your dishwasher’s performance. If your machine is still underperforming, you can always contact your local appliance repair professional to assess the situation. 

For appliance assistance in Rockaway or the greater Morris County region, call Morris County Appliance Repair today. Our team has over 50 years of experience helping customers get the most out of their household appliances. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding customer service and exceptional appliance expertise. We’re licensed and insured for your peace of mind and do all our work in-house. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!