How to Load a Dishwasher Correctly

Did you know there’s an art to loading your dishwasher? This helpful guide will explain how to load a dishwasher, starting with the top rack and then moving down to the bottom rack . We'll also include tips for an effective dishwasher run and squeaky-clean dishes, with insights from cleaning experts Chris Willatt and Regina Decorte.

How do you load a dishwasher?

Load glasses, cups, small plates and bowls, plastic containers and lids, and cooking utensils like ladles and spatulas on the top rack. Set large plates, pots, pans, cutting boards, and platters on the bottom rack. Set forks and spoons with their handles down in the cutlery basket and knives with their blades down.

Get Product Support Solve Any Problem

Hi there! Do you have a question about how to use or repair your home appliance? I’ve read the manuals so you don’t have to. Select your product, brand, and model, then ask away!

*

Section 1 of 6:

Loading a Dishwasher Efficiently (With Diagram)

Download Article

Load large, heavy dishes on the bottom and light, fragile dishes on the top. The diagram above shows the correct way to load your dishwasher so that all your dishes come out clean and intact. The bottom rack is tall and wide with plenty of room for bigger, bulkier items like dinner plates, stainless steel pots and pans, and cutting boards — not to mention a utensil holder for flatware. The top rack is set high above the spray arms so the water pressure from the jets doesn't damage lighter, more delicate dishes like glasses, bowls, and plastic containers. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Read the manufacturer's label on the bottom of every dish (or the package it came in) before loading it in the dishwasher to verify that it's dishwasher-safe. If it's not, handwash it in the sink.
- The spray arms in the dishwasher distribute water throughout the inside of the tub during a clean cycle. Most standard dishwashers come with a spray arm underneath the bottom rack and a second one underneath the top rack.

Section 2 of 6:

Loading the Top Rack

Download Article

1
Set cups and glasses upside down on the sides of the top rack. Loading these dishes upside-down is crucial if you want the water and detergent to get inside where they're dirtiest. It also helps the water drain out at the end of the cleaning cycle. Place them in between the tines so the tines don't leave water spots or cause cracks. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Some dishwashers come with a plastic, mesh-like piece that folds up and down on the top rack and is designed to hold wine glass stems. If your dishwasher has this feature, use it to protect these more fragile pieces from getting scratched or cracked. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2

Load small bowls and plates between the tines, angled downward. This ensures the water from the spray arms can splash on the inside and top of these dishes to properly clean them. It also helps the water drain out so they dry faster. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
Because the heating element in most dishwashers is on the bottom, placing plastic items in the bottom rack could cause them to melt or warp. Position the lids sideways in the same way you would arrange a small plate. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
4

Lay long cooking utensils flat across the top rack. Arrange your long, large utensils like ladles, serving spoons, and spatulas flat in between the tines on the top rack. The bottom rack in your dishwasher probably has a utensil holder, but that's mostly for forks, knives, spoons, and other small items. Laying them down in the bottom rack also isn't ideal because they take up valuable space and might cover the spray arms. ^{[6]
X
Research source}

Section 3 of 6:

Loading the Bottom Rack

Download Article

1
Insert plates upright into the slots in the bottom rack. Face them toward the center and, if they lean at all, lean them inwards and downwards toward the spray arms below. This helps expose as much of their dirty surface as possible to the soap and water. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Try to keep all surfaces separated and accessible to the streams of water from the sprayers.
2
Angle large bowls and stainless steel pots and pans dirty side downward. Only wash pots and pans in the dishwasher if they're made of stainless steel, glass, anodized aluminum, Teflon, or ceramic (with no hand-painted designs). When in doubt, just look at the bottom to see if it's labeled "dishwasher safe." Handwash your hand-painted ceramic, cast iron, copper, non-anodized aluminum, and nonstick cookware, as cleaning these materials in the dishwasher can cause them to chip, rust, scratch, and corrode. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Point the handles away from the spray arms so they don't obstruct them.
- If necessary, handwash large items or run two or more dishwasher loads to get all your dishes clean.
3
Load cutlery in the basket with the handles down (except for knives). Place your forks and spoons in the cutlery basket on the bottom rack with their handles down. However, you should set your knives in blades down so you don't accidentally cut yourself when loading and unloading the dishwasher. If you don't have a cutlery basket, alternate between loading the forks and spoons with their handles down and handles up to prevent nesting. (Nesting is when the utensils stack up against one another, preventing them from getting cleaned.) ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Separate stainless steel and silver or silver-plated utensils in the basket. If you don't, they might react during the cycle and cause damage to the silver. ^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
- Avoid washing wooden utensils or any other wooden dishes in the dishwasher.
This helps them take up less space and prevents them from blocking the spray arms. Avoid loading them in the front of the rack where they might block the dishwasher detergent dispenser from opening. ^{[11]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 6:

Loading the Third Rack

Download Article

Fill the third rack with big utensils, plasticware, or small cups and bowls. Some dishwasher models come with a third rack. It's usually shallower than the other two and is designed to hold small glasses and bowls, cooking utensils, or plastic containers and lids. It's especially useful when you have a lot of different types of dishes to wash and want to maximize your dishwasher space. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Most dishwasher models have 2 racks only.

Section 5 of 6:

What can you put in the dishwasher?

Download Article

1

Load cups, glasses, bowls, plates, and plastic marked "dishwasher safe." You can usually tell if a dish is dishwasher safe by looking at the label on the bottom. If it says "hand wash only," that means you should never run it in the dishwasher. If you do, it may chip, crack, break, or melt, depending on the material. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
2

Load pots and pans made of durable, non-rusting materials. Stainless steel, anodized aluminum, glass, Teflon, or non-hand-painted ceramic cookware is generally considered safe to put in the dishwasher (unless the label on the dish says otherwise). Avoid putting pots and pans made with materials like hand-painted ceramic, cast iron, copper, non-anodized aluminum, and nonstick coatings (except Teflon). ^{[14]
X
Research source} Handwash them instead to preserve their appearance and make them last longer.
3
Don't load any dishes or utensils made of wood. Most wooden utensils and dishes should be handwashed, not run through a dishwasher cycle. When wood is exposed to too much heat, moisture, and detergent, it becomes stripped of its natural oils and becomes dry and brittle. ^{[15]
X
Research source}
- The exception is if the wood utensil or dish has a "dishwasher safe" label on it, in which case you can feel free to load it with the rest of your items!

Section 6 of 6:

Tips for Using a Dishwasher Effectively

Download Article

1
Scrape large pieces of food off your dishes before loading them. Remove things like bones, corncobs, seeds, and peelings, etc. ^{[16]
X
Research source} While you don't want to wash your dishes, wiping off with a dirty fork or napkin will lead to much better results later.
- Avoid pre-rinsing your dishes before sticking them in the dishwasher unless it's going to be a while before you can start a load. It's a waste of water since your dishwasher detergent should be able to remove any remaining stuck-on food without a problem. ^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
2
Arrange dishes so the spray arms and detergent dispenser aren’t blocked. Spin the spray arms to check that they don’t hit anything. Additionally, follow cleaning expert Regina Decorte's advice and check that the detergent dispenser on the door can open fully (i.e., it isn't blocked by a “pot handle, utensil, etc.”). If either of these components is prevented from moving or opening, your dishes won't get a good wash. ^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Some dishwasher models only have spray arms under the bottom rack, not the top rack. If your dishwasher isn't cleaning the inside of your glasses and other items on the top rack, remove any large bowls or pots in the bottom rack that might be blocking the water from spraying up above.
3
Avoid overcrowding the dishwasher racks. If you load your dishwasher with too many dishes at once by stacking and nesting them, there's a good chance they won't all come out clean. There's also an increased risk that the dishes will block the spray arms and soap dispenser. Ensure you can move the racks in and out of the appliance easily, even when fully loaded, and that every dish is separated from its neighbor. If not, remove some dishes and either save them for a second load or handwash them in the sink. ^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Additionally, arrange all the dishes between the tines rather than over them (if possible) to prevent water spots and cracks.
4
Use a rinse aid to prevent water streaks and get shinier dishes. This will help reduce water spots, especially if you have hard water. The rinse aid may not need to be refilled every time you use the dishwasher , but remember to top it off every couple of weeks to a month (or according to the instructions on the bottle). ^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Some dishwasher detergents have a rinse aid in them already, so read the label before you buy another product.
5
Run the garbage disposal before running your dishwasher. Dishwashers are often connected to the garbage disposal and drain into the same pipe, so it's important that pipe is clear. ^{[21]
X
Research source} If you don't have a garbage disposal, set a strainer in the sink drain to stop crumbs and debris from accumulating in the pipe.
- Is your dishwasher dirty or smelly? Here's how to clean it .
Dishwashers heat up water somewhat, but they work best when the water is already hot. ^{[22]
X
Research source} To prevent water waste, run the water into a container and then pour it on your plants or use it for cleaning.
7
Clean your dishwasher filter regularly. Every dishwasher has a filter that catches food and detergent so they don't circulate back into the water. Cleaning expert Chris Willatt recommends washing this filter out once a month so it doesn't become clogged with mineral deposits from the water. He suggests filling the bottom of the tub ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep with white vinegar and then running a regular cycle, as this will dissolve the deposits and clean the filter.
- Vinegar helps dissolve calcium and other mineral deposits from hard water.
- If the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher becomes clogged, Willatt says to “hit it with a scrub brush and dish soap” to clear it out.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How much power is used by a dishwasher?

Community Answer

It varies by manufacturer and model number, but in general, most dishwashers (on hot wash) will draw 1000-1500 watts for the majority of the wash/rinse cycle and heated-dry (if applicable). The heating element is what consumes the most amount of power, so if you can get clean dishes on cold water without the heater (assuming your dishwasher offers such an option), the power consumption goes down considerably. Without the heater, the machine will typically only draw approximately 200-300 watts. (This is for the remaining electricals; 99% of that being exclusively for the pump(s), and 1% for the timer, relays, solenoid valves, control electronics, etc.)

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 22
Question

I used a detergent packet and after running a load, the dishes are not clean and the packet is still intact. What happened?

Community Answer

Make sure that the detergent door is able to open with the dishes in there, and that dishes are not stopping it from opening. If that doesn't work, just set the packet on the door before you shut it. It will fall to the bottom of the tub and will still work!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 42
Question

Why are my dishes wet after the cycle is complete?

Community Answer

Your dishwasher may not have a drying cycle. It might also be over-packed, not allowing the air to circulate properly, therefore not drying the dishes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 15

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

Run full loads. Running a full load in your dishwasher can save water compared to washing dishes by hand, especially if you don't overdo it on the pre-rinsing.

Thanks
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
Load the dishwasher as you go. Get in the habit of setting your dish down in the dishwasher instead of the sink.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Consider handwashing delicate crystal and wine glasses. If you do put them in the dishwasher, ensure they can't rattle against other dishes or glasses, as they tend to break.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Only use dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher. Do not use dishwashing soap or dishwashing liquid.

Thanks
Helpful 43 Not Helpful 19
Do not place items larger than the height of the bottom section into the dishwasher. This will cause difficulties in opening the dishwasher when the washing is finished.

Thanks
Helpful 32 Not Helpful 18

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

Log in

How to Load a Dishwasher Correctly

How do you load a dishwasher?

Steps

Get Product Support Solve Any Problem

Loading a Dishwasher Efficiently (With Diagram)

Loading the Top Rack

Loading the Bottom Rack

Loading the Third Rack

What can you put in the dishwasher?

Tips for Using a Dishwasher Effectively

Community Q&A

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories