The dishwasher is definitely a crucial help in everyday life. And for good reason, it helps us save time on household chores such as washing up. Only, many make a mistake with this household appliance without realizing it, thus generating a high consumption of water.
By banishing this habit, you can get more out of your dishwasher.
Do you have to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
If the dishwasher is an essential household item, it’s because it saves you time and effort cleaning your plates and cutlery. With technological innovations, this device has become less greedy in water.
Dishwasher. Source: spm
However, many people make a mistake with this appliance thinking they are doing the right thing. If you want to get the most out of your dishwasher, do not rinse the dishes before placing them in the appliance. In addition to taking time and wasting water, pre-washing prevents you from enjoying the performance of your appliance. And for good reason, by rinsing the dishes, you think that there will be no more stains on the dishes. However, dishwashers operate at high temperatures to ensure that the dishes are perfectly clean at the end of the wash cycle. It is the hot water and detergent that are responsible for keeping your dishes clean, not the pre-wash. By adopting this habit, you limit the potential of the dishwasher but also waste a precious resource: water. Simply scrape the dishes without rinsing then place them in the dishwasher for washing.

Dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Source: spm
Indeed, to remove dirt from the dishes, rather than pre-washing them, you can remove food remains with a spoon or a paper towel. This clever gesture will prevent the food from clogging the appliance. Some high-performance models are equipped to eliminate the most stubborn dirt.
In addition, it is recommended to use the right amount of detergent, to avoid overloading your appliance to take full advantage of its performance and to use a water softener. This last allows to deliver a good amount of salt depending on the hardness of the water. It is for this reason that it is important to know the rate of its water in limestone. You can have this information on your water bill.
What detergent to use for the dishwasher?
- Gel, powder, tablet are all forms of detergent to use for your dishwasher. There are also so-called “all-in-one” products that include both salt and rinse aid. It is recommended to use them with a “tablet” program if your appliance has one and to place them in the detergent drawer and not in the cutlery basket.
As you will have understood, it is recommended not to pre-wash your dishes before putting them in the machine for optimal washing and more economy.
Read also A woman accidentally discovered this secret function of the cutlery basket in the dishwasher
Via SPM
