Some people recommend that you pre-rinse the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher, while others advise against it.

According to dishwasher repair professionals, you shouldn’t pre-rinse the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This is because pre-rinsing is similar to hand-washing your car before putting it in the car wash. It doesn’t help much, does it?

Rinsing before using the dishwasher wastes hot water and usually does not improve the outcome.

You should note that modern dishwashers employ high temperatures that easily dissolve tough stains, so you have clean dishes even if you don’t pre-rinse them beforehand.

While you don’t need to pre-rinse every dish you put in the dishwasher, you should note that you shouldn’t throw a loaded plate into your dishwasher. This is because too much filth can jam your machine. This will lead to a waste of time, and in some cases, you have to hire a professional to help you clean the unit. 

For example, if you have a pan with burnt-on food residue, soak it beforehand.

Other dishwasher best practices

Besides avoiding pre-rinsing the dishes all the time, there are plenty of other best practices you can adopt to run an excellent dishwashing cycle. These practices include:

Keep the dishwasher clean.

You need to keep your dishwasher clean. Many homes overlook this duty, which is understandable given the function of a dishwasher. Why would it need to be cleaned if it is built to be cleaned?

While this is the case, you should note that cleaning a dishwasher is an important aspect of its maintenance and keep it clean at all times.

Food residue can accumulate in the filter with each cycle, while soap scum and grease can accumulate and foster germs. Even if the immediate dirt is not there, limescale can grow within the pipes, reducing efficiency.

If you do not fix these, your dishwasher’s performance will suffer. Under such conditions, it will begin to stink; in the worst-case scenario, it may necessitate costly repairs.   

There are many stages of dishwasher cleaning that you can undertake. Before cleaning, inspect the filter between cycles to ensure the same food does not contaminate the next load.

You should also give the dishwasher a general clean once a week or every two weeks, which includes rinsing the filter and wiping down the inside door.

Then, once a month, undertake thorough cleaning. This includes washing the attachments and running a general cleanser through the machine, such as white vinegar.

Load the unit properly.

It’s easy to blame your dishwasher for bad performance, but have you ever considered that it could be due to how you load it?

A dishwasher will only clean effectively if it is correctly filled, and in rare situations, it will not clean at all.

Water cannot flow through plates that are touching, for example. If the spray arm becomes clogged, the water will not be distributed effectively hence, the unit won’t clean as well as you would want it to.

Always consult your owner’s manual to determine the best way to fill your dishwasher. Depending on the model, the recommended placement for each object type will differ.

Once you’ve determined this, be careful to fill it without overloading it.

Remember that when things are smashed together, your dishwasher cannot fully access and clean the load. And you don’t want this.

Before starting a cycle, ensure the spray arm can freely revolve beneath the upper basket. You must reorganize the load or raise the upper basket if it is obstructed.

Give the dishwasher time to dry.

Even if your dishwasher is loaded with rinse aid, the drying performance may be inadequate. It’s inconvenient to unload your dishwasher only to find your dishes dripping and coated in puddles.

Thankfully, there are workarounds. After your dishwasher has run, open the door and allow it to air and dry naturally for at least 30 minutes.

Some dishwashers have an auto-open feature that will do this for you. Just ensure it has plenty of time to air before you empty it.

Allowing your dishwasher to air out can also help prevent mold from growing inside.

Some dishwashers additionally include additional drying algorithms to expedite the drying process. Remember that this will cost you extra energy, especially if there is a heating element.

Run hot water

This applies to dishwashers directly connected to hot water valves rather than those that heat the water on their own.

The hotter the water, the better your dishwasher’s cleaning effectiveness. And, if you want this gadget to start up smoothly, running the hot kitchen faucet for a few seconds prior can help.

This allows the water to be heated before your dishwasher uses it. Otherwise, the cycle will not be as hot or efficient as it may be, and performance will suffer.

Remember that the water should be at least 120°F before entering the dishwasher. You can always check this using a meat thermometer.

Take advantage of the heavy-setting

If your dishwasher is having trouble removing stains, you may not be using the proper setting. Eco cycles and dishwasher options are becoming increasingly popular, allowing users to trade a longer cycle for less energy and water consumption.

The issue is that, as with eco settings on washing machines, the performance is necessarily inferior to conventional settings.

As a result, plates and cookware may emerge with dried-on stains that are considerably more difficult to clean.

Before you choose your usual program, think about if it’s appropriate for the items you’re washing. Heavy or intensive cycles may be better if you have baked-on stains on your pots and pans.

The easiest way to eliminate this type of residue is to wash at a higher temperature.

Appliance repair Alexandria recommends using eco mode if you’re washing mild, ordinary stains. Don’t forget about the programs in between — auto can adjust to the stain level, glassware is perfect for fragile things, and a quick wash is ideal if you’re short on time.