We still had dishwashers on the brain when we spotted an article in the New York Times over the weekend giving some stern advice for using our dishwashers more efficiently. Think you know how to wash your dishes? The article's author makes a strong argument that we're probably all doing it wrong!
Dishwashers have come a long way since we were kids and first learned the fine art of loading dirty dishes. This article explains that not only are dishwashers themselves more efficient, but so is the soap we're putting in them. In this case, more isn't always better, and too much soap can just leave a cloudy film on our dishes.
We were also surprised to learn that pre-rinsing dishes might just be a thing of the past. The soap actually needs something to work against in the dishwasher and pre-rinsing can prevent dishes from getting fully clean. (Scraping off baked-on bits and large chunks is still a good idea, though.)
What do you think about this? Take a look at the article and let us know!
• For the Dishwasher’s Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent by Alina Tugend, New York Times
Related: How Do You Clean a Stinky Dishwasher?
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I use the pre-measured little packets, so I don't have much choice in how much soap goes in my dishwasher. But then I've never noticed a soap film so I'm guessing we're okay!
Interesting on the not rinsing point though. My husband insists on rinsing everything whereas I only care to get big chunks of food off (and rice.. my dad for some reason always had a big problem with rice in the dishwasher so I learned never to let it go in there at a young age). By now I've got into the habit of rinsing everything now too, but I might just try this no-rinse theory and see what happens!
I rinse if it's going to be a couple days before I run the dishwasher. If running right away I am not so concerned.
i'm sending that article to my husband STAT. we are constantly arguing about the best way to put soap in the dishwasher. i'm a "less is more" kind of person - filling the dispenser half way and leaving it open to insure there are no problems with the latch during the cycle. i HATE it when i open a clean load only to find the soap dispenser never popped open. he, on the other hand, will overfill the dispenser and slam it closed. soap gets all over the door and gunks up the latch of the dispenser.
thank you New York Times. VINDICATION!!
i was able to get him to give up dryer sheets a while ago in favor of tiny amounts of phosphate free fabric softener in a downy ball.
small steps.
Lol nenasadije, my husband and I now have a dishwasher after 5 years of marriage and I'm beginning to see how "proper" loading and detergent use can become one of those *big marital issues.*
I've already sent him this article in order to assert my dominance.
I use the Ecover tabs, but I might try cutting one in half to see if it's still effective.
As the article stated, I think proper loading is half the battle, as well as having a dishwasher with three spray arms (bottom, middle and top).
While I'm not a pre-rinser, I'm skeptical about this statement from the appliance repairman: “The soap needs something to work against to get the dishes clean.”
Is there any science behind that statement? If there is no grime, the soap just lays its head on its arms and gives up?
Several years ago, we had a plumber out to our house for another reason, and my partner talked with him about the dishwasher. He essentially said just what this article says - Everyone uses way too much detergent! Now we fill one of the bins about halfway, and that's it. Our results improved dramatically.
I always use half the amount of soup, and rinse my dishes... Never once have a had a problem with "cloudy" dishes.
We have a cheap rental dishwasher. Frankly, I'd be afraid not to rinse the dishes before loading them for fear it would break down. But I don't think I could break the habit even if I had an expensive model; it just seems gross to me.
@heather77, I had the same thought regarding the soap.
We have a cheap old rental dishwasher too. Plus we only run the dishwasher every 2-3 days. If we don't fully rinse dishes, they come out with almost as much hardened food on them as they started with. But someday, if we ever have a fancy new dishwasher and a big family that requires daily wash loads, I will keep this in mind.
The thing with dishwashers needing "something to work against" is that if the dishes are too clean, the soap can etch glasses. It's the same reason why you shouldn't use too much soap either.
My entire life I've had a dishwasher, and we never, ever pre-rinsed the dishes. I never understood pre-rinsing - I thought not wanting to wash dishes by hand was the whole point of getting a dishwasher. ;) I always use less of everything, including washing machine soap. If it comes out clean, you are good to go!
For the above comment on not using dryer sheets, try using vinegar instead of fabric softener. Seriously - it works. And it won't make your clothes smell like pickles, either. Not very good for static, though.
I use a home-made dishwashing powder made from borax, washing soda (I think. Or is it baking soda?), citric acid, and salt. It says "use 1 Tbsp" on the recipe, so that's what I did. I have to say, it works as well or better than any of the commercial ones I've tried, and no film whatsoever. I think it's kind of funny that it works so well, considering it doesn't actually contain any soap or detergent!
I used to run the kitchen dishwasher every week at my job. The lady who trained me on it completely filled both the latched and the pre-wash dipensers with powder, for a load of what was almost entirely coffee cups. She also used Jet-Dry. As soon as she stopped watching me, I went to the use of 1 Tbsp of the regular stuff and skipped the Jet Dry. Clean dishes, no film. I don't get it. If you hand-washed the dishes, would you use a quarter-cup of Dawn?