7 Common Dishwasher Mistakes

The top racks of your dishwasher are for glasses, mugs and food plastic containers, while the lower racks are for dishes, platters, and bowls. The lower racks aren't designed to host glasses, and increasing the chance they'll be broken at the end of the wash cycle. As for the plastic containers, when placed on the bottom rack, these items are closer to the high heat and powerful spray from the dishwasher's jets, which can warp them and cause the plastic to degrade more quickly.

It may seem easier to keep all of your knives in one compartment, all of your forks in another, and all of your spoons in a third. The problem is, that in that case your silverware nestles together. When this happens, it impedes the flow of water, making it harder for each item to get adequately cleaned. Instead, mix up the silverware in each compartment of the cutlery basket and don't crowd the rack.

If you want to allow for maximum movement of water in your dishwasher, it's best to alternate small and large plates inside your machine, which lets the water and soap get to every item in your dishwasher.

In case you don’t place cups and dishes fully upside down, the jets inside your dishwasher can flip them onto their backs, meaning they end up collecting dishwater and food residue instead of actually getting clean. So always check, if your cups and mugs are fixed properly or placed fully upside down.

If your kids or grandkids have plastic cups and dishes, wash them by hand instead of popping them in the dishwasher. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, phthalates used as plasticizers in the manufacture of certain plastics can potentially be transferred to foods when the plastic dishes are exposed to high heat. So always wash them by hand.

In most cases, the soap compartment is located inside your dishwasher door. Unfortunately, when you put large items—like sauce pots, baking pans, or cutting boards—near the door of your dishwasher, it can block the soap from being adequately distributed among your dishes.

Cast iron pots and pans should never go in the dishwasher, that’s a rule. In fact, cast iron should be washed only by hands, and never with dishwashing liquid, which will leave cast iron dry and rusty. One great way to scrub cast iron is to use a half a lemon and a handful of coarse salt). The most important thing to remember is to always rub the pan with a bit of oil (canola, coconut, avocado or olive oil. This will extend the life of a cast iron pan to the point that you'll probably never have to buy another one for as long as you live.