Clean or Not Clean? That is the Question with the Dishes

Since most of us are in the habit of rinsing off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, it can be really difficult to tell if the dishes are clean or dirty. Nobody wants to feel dirty plates!
If you have difficulty telling if the dishes in your washer are dirty or clean, you can take a cup and place it upright on the top rack.
When you wash the dishes, water will accumulate in the cup. Now when you open the door, if the cup is empty, the dishes are dirty. If the cup is full, the dishwasher has been run and the dishes are clean.
Don't forget to take the cup out and empty it. Replace it once the washer has been emptied and you'll be ready for the next load.Tips for Loading a Dishwasher


Loading a dishwasher: seems like a simple thing, yet we all have our own, specific method and can come to blows with anyone who messes with our "method".
At the risk of disrupting family harmony, I'd like to point out that there are some do's and don'ts of dishwasher loading. If you jam dishes in every which way you can end up with caked-on food that needs to be soaked and washed again, or worse, some dishes can break. So here are some tips for perfect dishwasher loading.

• Mix forks, knives and spoons in the cutlery basket so they don't clump together, and don't overload the basket. You can also alternate putting cutlery upright and upside down to keep them spaced apart.
• Don't place breakable items like glasses too close together, or positioned on top of metal cutlery. The vibrations of the washing cycle can cause chips or breakage.
• Don't double-up dishes in a single space, water and detergent might not reach between them.
• Bowls should be angled down or face down.
• Cookware should be face down on the bottom rack for the best pressure washing.
• Plastics should be on the top rack only. Use the economy or no heat dry setting to keep them from warping.Use care when loading your dishwasher and consider the direction of the water jets. Some dishwashers have more washing arms and jets than others. Position items with that in mind to ensure your dishes will come out clean.