The Right Way to Load a Dishwasher

House cleaning can be tedious, which is why you sometimes need the help of cleaners in Birmingham. These professionals ensure that you obtain the best cleaning services in Birmingham city centre. However, there are times when some home equipment can help to save time and energy on some chores. One of such home equipment is the dishwasher.

As professional cleaners in Birmingham, we make it our priority to show you the effective ways to clean while using the right equipment. In this article, we will be discussing the right way to load a dishwasher.

A dishwasher makes all our lives easier and kitchen chores faster. It saves time and energy on cleaning the dishes every day. While your dishwasher may be one of your most irreplaceable cleaning equipment, you must know that there is a way to get even more from this machine.

Some people have issues loading the dishwasher properly, others just load it whichever way they can and the dishes don’t come out as clean as they like. The solution is to learn the right way to load a dishwasher. Not only will this get you the best results, but it will also ensure your favourite helper lasts a lot longer. Here are steps to loading your dishwasher the right way.

1. Identify the items that are dishwasher safe and those that are not

Yes, a dishwasher is designed to clean dishes and save you all the work, but it is still a machine with specific capabilities. There are some items that should not be placed in the dishwasher to avoid damage to either the item or the machine. For example, fine china and crystal could be damaged by the heat of the dishwasher while something like Cast iron will rust.

Wooden spoons and cutting boards will be damaged from exposure in the dishwasher. The heat and moisture in the dishwasher can crack the wood and afterwards become accommodating to germs.

Insulated mugs are also not a suitable item for the dishwasher because the intense heat from the machine can ruin their ability to insulate or retain the heat of drinks.

Aluminium pots can also lose their shiny finish from constant exposure to the heat in the dishwasher. Non-stick pans are at risk of losing their valuable coating after frequent washing at high temperature.

2. Read the manual

To properly maintain any appliance you must know what the manufacturers say about the product. Dig up your forgotten dishwasher manual and read the instructions on how to load and maintain the dishwasher. The knowledge is necessary to move forward.

3. Pre-rinsing

Some say that pre-rinsing dishes makes the dishwasher perform below its capacity. Others say it cleans best when the dirt and grime are out of the way. The truth is your dishwasher will clean with or without rinsing the dishes first. However, there are some points to note to ensure your dishwasher is at its best.

• It is important to pre-rinse the dishes before loading them in an older dishwasher. Modern models of the machine do not require this step.
• If you run your dishwasher after meals it is advisable to scrape the chunks or remnants of food off the dishes before loading them. If it will be a few more days before you run the dishwasher, then pre-rinse to prevent bad odours and the spread of germs.

4. Start at the bottom

The bottom rack in the dishwasher is designed for plates, platters and eating utensils. Organize the plates and platters vertically and ensure you load them in a way that the water will touch the dirty surfaces.

Arrange larger items like a dishwasher-safe board along the perimeter of the bottom rack. Their dirty surfaces should also be in the direction of the water during washing. Note that the plates are lined at the bottom because they are strong enough to handle the heat. Placing the plates on another rack can put other dishes in danger and compromise the cleaning process.

5. Move on to the top rack

Bowls, cups, large silverware and utensils are loaded on the top rack. Arrange the glasses and mugs between the tines in the dishwasher rather than on them. Place the bowls at an angle on the rack, so they all face the centre of the rack. Place the silverware, dishwasher safe plastics and utensils horizontally and secure them to the rack to prevent them from falling into the hot liquid. While loading the top rack, ensure that there is no overcrowding so the water and detergent can get to each item.

6. The cutlery basket

Load knives with the handles facing up to avoid accidents and forks and spoons with the handles facing down. Mix up the arrangement to prevent any utensils from sticking together and skipping a thorough clean.

 

Final tips

• Always ensure that your well-loaded dishwasher is being fed with hot water.
• Clean out your dishwasher and the filter regularly. Always remove accumulated chunks of food, crumbs and dirt to prevent damage to the system.
• Deep clean your dishwasher once in a while and remove limescale with a dishwasher-specific cleaner.
• After a wash cycle, unload your dishwasher and store away the dishes.
• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions to learn the ideal settings for every type of wash.
• Do not overload your dishwasher to avoid an incomplete cleaning cycle or damage to the machine and dishes.
• Use a sufficient amount of detergent and avoid adding too much to one wash cycle.
• If your dishwasher shares the same pipe as your sink, always ensure the pipe is clear before running a new wash cycle.

Cleaning the dishes is only a small part of the chores involved in a regular house cleaning routine. Sometimes these chores may overwhelm you or take up too much time and energy. At Glimmr, we ensure that you can experience true happiness without the nagging thought of the chores still left undone.  You can book our one-off cleaning in Birmingham or an end of tenancy cleaning in Birmingham to add value to a home.