Dishwasher expert on the RIGHT way to load it

• There is a correct way to load your dishwasher for maximum efficiency
• Don't make the mistake of rinsing your dishes first
• READ MORE: The five things a dishwasher expert would never do 

A dishwasher expert has outlined the correct way to load up your dirty dishes for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Dmitry Letsman from Hotpoint appliances spoke to FEMAIL about how to best stack the dishwasher to ensure the cleanest dishes, while also saving the most time and money.

Scrape excess food

Before loading dirty items into the dishwasher you need to take the time to properly scrape off excess food from plates and check whether the dish needs a quick rinse before going into the washer to avoid any stains.

Dmitry warns to only rinse if necessary to avoid wasting extra water and energy.

Rinsing plates unnecessarily before you wash can defeat the whole purpose of having a dishwasher, which is to effectively clean dishes using the least amount of energy and water.

Sort Items

'A useful tip is grouping similar items together, as this makes unloading easier and saves time. For example, plates with plates, bowls with bowls,' Dmitry said.

Dmitry warns to only rinse if necessary to avoid wasting extra water and energy

Bottom rack

The bottom rack is where to load larger, heavier items like pots pans and mixing bowls. 'Place them facing downwards to allow thorough cleaning and drainage.'

Dmitry explains that the Hotpoint dishwashers are a gamechanger as they have an extra, third rack with integrated water jets for cutlery, mugs, bowls and taller items which allows you get more from each cycle.

Cutlery basket

'To ensure thorough cleaning, organise silverware by type to avoid overlap. Alternate forks and spoons to prevent nesting and optimise the performance of the wash cycle.'

Top rack

The top rack is the place for glasses cups and small bowls, make sure the glasses are angled to allow water to drain properly.

Utensil holder

Larger utensils such as serving spoons can e placed along the sides of the top rack if they don't fit into the cutlery basket.

Ensure spray arms are clear

Check that no objects are in the way of the spray arms which will make the end result much less clean.

Check for stability

Dmitry also says its a good idea to make sure that items are located securely and won't shift during the cycle - as this is where damage or improper cleaning can occur.

Detergent placement

Make sure to follow the manufacturers guidelines for where detergent should go - which is usually in the designated dispenser.

Experts say to place the detergent in the designated dispenser

Despite the experts opinion, many people still disagree.

To rinse or not rinse is one of Dmitry's more contested suggestions.

Another expert argued that pre-rinsing dishes before placing them in a dishwasher can actually make them dirtier as modern dishwashers have built in sensors to detect dirt particles before then spraying them with a strong enough amount of water.

A TikTok video viewed by 7.4 million people which also recommended not rinsing dishes first was met with a slew of disgust online.

One user agreed that washing dishes before putting them into the dishwasher is certainly a waste of time and water, but he insisted not rinsing properly beforehand would just clog up the drain.

Others mentioned that the smell from a dishwasher with dishes that weren't properly rinsed first is disgusting.

Many agreed with one woman who said 'Yeah that's gonna be a no for me. It Isn't clean if you didn't wash it before using the dishwasher.'

Another point of contention among dishwasher users is where to place the detergent.

Many refuse to place it in the dishwasher dispenser and simply chuck it in the bottom of the dishwasher, as they believe it just falls down there anyway.

'It’s only ok to throw it in the bottom on quick wash as it doesn’t do a pre wash. All others should go in dispenser,' advised one man.

Many were insisting on just using the dedicated dispenser anyway.

About whether to use the dispenser or not, one woman jokes, 'do I believe the company who designed and built my appliance or a random person on social media. Hmmm let's see....'

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