Dishwasher expert on the RIGHT way to load it – and the huge mistakes Aussies are making

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

Dmitry Letsman from Hotpoint Appliances spoke to FEMAIL about how best to position the dishwasher to ensure the cleanest dishes while saving the most time and money.

Cut out excess food

Before putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher, take the time to scrape off any excess food particles from the plates and check to see if the dishes need a quick rinse before putting them in the washer to prevent stains.

Dmitry warns to only rinse when absolutely necessary to avoid wasting water and energy.

Unnecessarily rinsing dishes before washing them can defeat the purpose of a dishwasher: to effectively clean dishes with as little energy and water as possible.

Sort items

‘A handy tip is to put similar items together, because that makes unloading easier and saves time. For example, plates with plates, bowls with bowls,’ says Dmitry.

Bottom rack

The bottom rack is where you place larger, heavier items such as pots, pans, and mixing bowls. ‘Place them face down for thorough cleaning and drainage.’

Dmitry explains that Hotpoint dishwashers are a real revolution because they have an additional, third rack with integrated water jets for cutlery, mugs, bowls and higher objects. This way you get more out of every wash.

Cutlery basket

‘To ensure thorough cleaning, organize silverware by type to avoid overlapping. Alternate forks and spoons to prevent nests and optimize wash cycle performance.’

Top rack

The top rack is the place for glass cups and small bowls. Make sure the glasses are tilted so that the water can drain properly.

Kitchen utensil holder

Larger utensils, such as serving spoons, can be placed along the sides of the top rack if they do not fit in the cutlery basket.

Make sure the spray arms are clear

Check that there are no objects blocking the spray arms, which would make the end result much less clean.

Check for stability

Dmitry also says it’s a good idea to make sure items are securely placed and won’t shift during the cycle, as this is where damage or improper cleaning can occur.

Placement of detergent

Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on where the detergent should go; this is usually located in the detergent dispenser provided.

Despite the experts’ opinions, many people still disagree.

To rinse or not to rinse is one of Dmitry’s more controversial suggestions.

Another expert stated that pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher can actually make the dishes dirtier, because modern dishwashers have built-in sensors that detect dirt particles and then spray them with a sufficiently strong amount of water.

A TikTok video viewed by 7.4 million people, which also recommended not rinsing dishes first, was met with widespread outrage online.

One user indicated that washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is certainly a waste of time and water, but he stressed that if you don’t rinse the dishes properly, the drain will become clogged.

Others indicated that the smell that comes from a dishwasher when dishes are not rinsed properly is disgusting.

Many agreed with one woman who said, “Yeah, that’s a no for me. It’s not clean if you haven’t washed it before you put it in the dishwasher.”

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

Many refuse to put it in the dishwasher dispenser and simply throw it at the bottom of the dishwasher, thinking it will just fall down there anyway.

“It’s only okay to throw it in the bottom for a quick wash, because it doesn’t do a pre-wash. Everything else goes in the dispenser,” one man advised.

Many insisted on using only the special dispenser.

When asked whether or not I should use the dispenser, one woman jokes, “Do I believe the company that designed and built my device or some random person on social media? Hmmm, let’s see…”