Common dishwasher mistakes

Leaving food scraps on plates, overloading the machine, forgetting to clean the filter or spray arms... these are common mistakes that can damage your dishwasher or prevent it from cleaning effectively.

1. Leaving food scraps on plates

You don’t need to wash off grease before placing dishes into the dishwasher, but you must remove all food scraps. "If you place dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher without scraping off leftover food, it's like inviting trouble," says Jade Piper, CEO of BetterClean, to The Spruce. "Those leftover food pieces can accumulate and clog the spray arms and filter, meaning the water won't be able to clean the dishes properly."

2. Overloading the dishwasher

Ron Shimek, President of Mr. Appliance, told Homes & Gardens: "Overloading the dishwasher won't damage the machine, but it will prevent it from cleaning all the dishes completely, and you'll end up spending more time and money."

3. Placing plastic items in the lower rack

There’s a reason why many plastic items are recommended to be placed on the top rack. Piper says: "If you place plastic items in the lower rack, they will come into direct contact with the heating element. This can cause them to warp or even melt."

4. Not cleaning the filter

It’s essential to clean the dishwasher filter at least once a month and clean the machine itself once a week. "Dishwashers should be cleaned regularly. In most cases, the filter can be cleaned weekly," says Shimek. "You should also run a cleaning cycle through the machine every month."

5. Not cleaning the spray arms

Neglecting this task can result in the dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly. Piper suggests: "Make it a habit to check and clean the spray arms periodically. Use a toothpick or small brush to ensure nothing is blocking the holes."

6. Using too much detergent

Be careful not to overuse dishwasher detergent. Andrii Gurskyi, co-founder of HomeClean, shared with Homes & Gardens: "Using the wrong detergent or too much detergent can cause problems, such as residue buildup or even damage the dishwasher. Be sure to use the detergent recommended by the manufacturer and avoid overusing it."

7. Improperly placing silverware

You should avoid placing the handles of silverware facing down. Daria Saxton, home appliance expert at Sharp, shared with Woman & Home: "How you arrange your silverware depends on personal preference, but we recommend placing the handles facing up. This reduces the risk of the utensils accidentally stabbing the handles and minimizes how often you touch the eating parts of forks, knives, or spoons, making it more hygienic."