Do’s and don’ts of dishwasher use

When it comes to home appliances, the dishwasher is hands down one of the most efficient machines in the household. Just think about how much labor, water, and energy savings it generates. But there are some basic rules on how to use this marvelous appliance to get the best results.

The dishwasher saves energy and water, much less when compared to washing dishes by hand. So do not rinse the dishes under running water, but simply scrape off larger pieces of food before loading the dishes into the dishwasher. It is, literally, that easy. Or is it? We will shortly cover how to use and load a dishwasher the right way.

Load it up, but not to the max

For the dishwasher to do its job properly, one has to load it correctly. Failing to do so may result in bits of food and water spots that need to be washed or dried away. Carefully load the dishes into the dishwasher to ensure the best washing and drying results. The goal is to allow the dishwasher to reach and clean all surfaces and dry the dishes as thoroughly as possible.

Sticking to these basic tips will get you great results every time:

• All dirty surfaces should face inwards and downwards. This will allow the dishwasher to wash them most efficiently. The logic is the most simple: if the water can’t reach a certain surface, it won’t get clean.
• Avoid placing dishes on top of each other. Stacking items in not advisable as the water spray won’t be able to reach and clean the dish that is on top.
• Place dishes with recesses, such as cups, so that the rinsing water can drain away. The latter is also important for any plastic objects. And with plastics in mind – do secure them, otherwise, blasts of water may flip these pieces over and fill them with water or even send them around the dishwasher.
• To prevent small items from falling through the dishwasher basket, place them in the accessory tray. Every dishwasher has a special tray (the so-called flatware basket) with planned out space for utensils, such as scoops, whisks, service utensils, and similar items. Forks go up so the tines get clean, while the knives should be placed with the blade down – for obvious safety reasons.

Loading up the dishwasher is pretty straightforward. Lighter stuff on the top, while bowls and plates go on the bottom rack. Lay these dishes in the manner that the dirty side faces where the water spray is strongest, usually the center of the rack. Also, pots, pans, and casseroles should face downwards for the best cleaning results.

Obviously, glasses and cups go on the top rack. It is a good idea to angle cups as much as the rack design will allow to keep water from pooling. The is also a way to load wine glasses, arrange them carefully, and don’t let them bump against one another. Check out the user manual if you’re not sure how to place them.
The last thing to check before starting the washing cycle is to check that the spray arms rotate freely – you don’t want them hitting anything as dishwasher repairs aren’t cheap.

Detergent magic

Let’s get something straight. Yes, some detergents are better than others, but there is no rule of the thumb which type is best suited for your dishes and dishwasher. Powders, liquids, and packets – any of them can and will clean well, provided you followed the below tips.
The most important thing to keep in mind about the detergent is the following: it has to be fresh otherwise it won’t do the job properly. Fresh, in the detergent time frame, is up to two months. And, as per the manufacturer instructions, detergent should always be stored it in a cool and dry spot. Under the sink, where most people keep the detergent is not the best place as the detergent can clump or deteriorate.
The second thing to remember about the detergent, especially when using packets, is to put them in the designated space (usually on the inside of the dishwasher doors).

A golden pro tip (for silver)

Since nobody ever reads the user manual from the first to last page, Gorenje masters will provide a shortcut – a pro tip, so to say. To avoid some unpleasant surprises when dishwashing cutlery, always separate your stainless steel and silver (or silver-plated) flatware. Why you ask? If the two types touch in the wash, a reaction may occur and the silver could pit.
Also, keep in mind certain types of dishes are not dishwasher safe. There are many reasons for this. Some materials do not withstand high temperatures, while others can be damaged by dishwashing detergent. Be careful, for example, with handmade products, delicate ornaments, silver, copper, tin, aluminum, wood, and plastic products. Make sure they are labeled as “dishwasher safe”.