Warning over one thing that should never go in bottom rack of dishwasher

How we pack out dishwasher is totally individual, but there’s one way you should absolutely avoid.

Washing dishes in the dishwasher doesn’t sound like it has many ways it could go wrong, but you’d be surprised.

Opening it up to find dirty plates and glasses is a common pain point many of us have, and the reason for this might not be something you’re aware of.

So many tips have been given, like not bothering with rinsing your dishes before loading them, and some people say you can wash your fruit and veg in it too.

But what about the most important thing?

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development at High Speed Training revealed there’s something you can do to stop your dishes from coming out mucky.

There's something you shouldn't put in the bottom of your dishwasher (Kseniya Ovchinnikova/ Getty Stock)

He said: “Following a few simple steps can dramatically improve the hygiene and efficiency of your dishwasher. Proper loading also helps your appliance run more effectively, saving energy and prolonging its lifespan.”

While people tend to focus on overcrowding, blocking the spray arms, pre-rinsing, your pods and not unclogging the filter, it’s what you do with the bottom rack that matters the most: keep plastics out of it!

Dr Anderson says: “The bottom rack is the heavy-duty area, built for robust items needing stronger pressure. Ensure plates and large bowls always face the centre spray arm for even coverage, and position heavy items such as pots and pans at the sides, placed at a slight angle to aid water drainage. Grouping similar-sized items together is a simple step that avoids smaller dishes being overshadowed.”

So, where do your plastics go? Use the top rack only.

Plastics and cups on top, please (Yana Iskayeva/ Getty Stock)

Dr Anderson continued: “The top rack is the delicate zone, designed for gentler pressure. Here, glasses and mugs should be placed upside down and slightly angled—a key trick to prevent water pooling on the base after the cycle.”

He noted: “Importantly, all plastics must be labelled ‘dishwasher safe’ and kept exclusively on this top rack, far away from the bottom heating element to stop them from warping.”

As for your spoons, he revealed: “Cutlery placement is crucial for both hygiene and safety. We advise people to avoid ‘nesting’ in baskets by mixing items and alternating the direction of the handles. Always load knives with the handles pointing up to prevent injury during unloading. For a truly sparkling finish, remember to separate silver cutlery from stainless steel to avoid chemical reactions that can cause marks.”

Now, you can enjoy sparkling plates from here on out.