Your dishwasher deserves better—Here’s what you’ve been doing wrong
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Ah, the dishwasher—a modern marvel that saves us from the drudgery of hand-washing dishes.
But even with this handy kitchen helper, there's a bit of an art to ensuring everything comes out sparkling clean. It turns out, even the way we load our cutlery can make a difference.
So, let's dive into the expert-approved method for loading your dishwasher cutlery and see if you've been doing it wrong all along.
The question of whether to place cutlery handles up or down in the dishwasher basket has sparked more kitchen debates than the proper way to slice a tomato.
But according to a dishwasher expert from TA Appliances and Barbecues, who recently shared his insights on social media, there is indeed a “right” way to do it—and it all depends on the type of basket your dishwasher has.
If your dishwasher comes with a cutlery basket that has individual slots, the expert advises placing knives with the blade side down for safety, while forks and spoons should have their tines and bowls poking up. This ensures that the water and detergent can reach and clean the eating surfaces effectively.
On the other hand, if your basket has an open top, the best practice is to alternate forks and spoons with some facing up and others down. This prevents them from nesting together, which can hinder proper cleaning.
While the expert's advice may seem straightforward, the comment section of his video was ablaze with differing opinions.
Some users were adamant that all silverware should be pointed down to avoid touching the parts that go in your mouth when putting them away.
Others raised safety concerns, citing cases where individuals have been injured by upward-pointing utensils.
Also read: Stop Risking Your Health! Why This Popular Social Media Hack for Cleaning Produce Is a Dangerous Mistake
One commenter even shared a personal experience of stabbing their hand on upward-pointing forks. It's clear that safety is a significant concern for many, and it's worth considering when deciding how to load your dishwasher.
Andrew Laughlin, a researcher at consumer champion Which?, reminds us that the proper loading technique extends beyond cutlery.
It's crucial to stack dishes properly to avoid the common mistake of haphazardly filling the dishwasher, which can lead to less-than-clean results.
Plates and flat items should face inwards, with the dirty side towards the spray arms at the bottom, where water pressure is higher.
Delicate glass items and light plastic containers belong on the top rack to prevent damage.
Pots, pans, and deep bowls should be placed face down, ensuring they don't block the spray arm.
Source: @taappliances / Tiktok.
And perhaps most importantly, don't overfill the dishwasher. Make sure there's enough space between items so that water and detergent can circulate and reach every surface.
Read next: Lemon in your dishwasher: Cleaning hack or myth?
How have you been loading your dishwasher cutlery? Have you discovered any tricks for getting your dishes extra clean? Or maybe you have a dishwasher loading trick that's been passed down through the generations? Join the conversation and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
But even with this handy kitchen helper, there's a bit of an art to ensuring everything comes out sparkling clean. It turns out, even the way we load our cutlery can make a difference.
So, let's dive into the expert-approved method for loading your dishwasher cutlery and see if you've been doing it wrong all along.
The question of whether to place cutlery handles up or down in the dishwasher basket has sparked more kitchen debates than the proper way to slice a tomato.
But according to a dishwasher expert from TA Appliances and Barbecues, who recently shared his insights on social media, there is indeed a “right” way to do it—and it all depends on the type of basket your dishwasher has.
If your dishwasher comes with a cutlery basket that has individual slots, the expert advises placing knives with the blade side down for safety, while forks and spoons should have their tines and bowls poking up. This ensures that the water and detergent can reach and clean the eating surfaces effectively.
An expert has revealed the correct way to load utensils into a dishwasher, which depends on the type of cutlery basket present. Image source: @taappliances / Tiktok.
On the other hand, if your basket has an open top, the best practice is to alternate forks and spoons with some facing up and others down. This prevents them from nesting together, which can hinder proper cleaning.
While the expert's advice may seem straightforward, the comment section of his video was ablaze with differing opinions.
Some users were adamant that all silverware should be pointed down to avoid touching the parts that go in your mouth when putting them away.
Others raised safety concerns, citing cases where individuals have been injured by upward-pointing utensils.
Also read: Stop Risking Your Health! Why This Popular Social Media Hack for Cleaning Produce Is a Dangerous Mistake
One commenter even shared a personal experience of stabbing their hand on upward-pointing forks. It's clear that safety is a significant concern for many, and it's worth considering when deciding how to load your dishwasher.
Andrew Laughlin, a researcher at consumer champion Which?, reminds us that the proper loading technique extends beyond cutlery.
It's crucial to stack dishes properly to avoid the common mistake of haphazardly filling the dishwasher, which can lead to less-than-clean results.
Plates and flat items should face inwards, with the dirty side towards the spray arms at the bottom, where water pressure is higher.
Delicate glass items and light plastic containers belong on the top rack to prevent damage.
Pots, pans, and deep bowls should be placed face down, ensuring they don't block the spray arm.
Source: @taappliances / Tiktok.
And perhaps most importantly, don't overfill the dishwasher. Make sure there's enough space between items so that water and detergent can circulate and reach every surface.
Read next: Lemon in your dishwasher: Cleaning hack or myth?
How have you been loading your dishwasher cutlery? Have you discovered any tricks for getting your dishes extra clean? Or maybe you have a dishwasher loading trick that's been passed down through the generations? Join the conversation and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
