T?he dishwasher is one of the most handy, time-saving appliances we have in our homes.
Yet using it wrong can result in dull glassware, dirty dishes and a less efficient machine.
Common mistakes people make with dishwashers cover every aspect of the appliance, from cleaning it, to the detergent we use, stacking it and unloading it.
But they are all easy problems to fix if you're aware of them, which is why we've rounded up all the mistakes you could be making here.
Read on to find out what not to do with your dishwasher and what you should do instead.?
There's a lot of debate about this one and even dishwasher brands disagree, so if the way you're doing it isn't causing any problems, skip ahead.
However, there are a couple of reasons you might want to think about putting cutlery in top down.
Having handles facing upwards means taking out knives is safer as you're not having to handle the blade.
You also won't be adding germs and grime to the top of the utensil because you're only touching the handle?.
G?rouping the same utensils together causes nesting, which means the water isn't able to get in and around your cutlery because there's little space for it.
Mixing up the types of cutlery you have in each compartment, or on your cutlery shelf, means a better clean as the water can flow freely.
T?here are two important reasons you shouldn't rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
"Not only does pre-rinsing push your water consumption way up, it can actually trick your dishwasher into thinking your plates are cleaner than they are," Ashley Iredale, CHOICE dishwasher expert said.
"Dishwashers use what's called a turbidity sensor to measure the level of soil in the first rinse cycle, so it'll use less power and things might actually come out dirtier. You're better off scraping solids into the bin and letting your machine do the rest."
So give up the rinse, and make sure you scrape all that food off.?
J?ust like a washing machine, a dishwasher door should be left open after it's been on so that it can dry properly.
This is particularly good for preventing mould, especially on the seals.?
T?ablets are best placed at the bottom of the dishwasher, rather than in the dispenser compartment.
This is because they sometimes don't get a chance to completely dissolve.
The reason they're OK to put loose in the machine is it takes a long time for the tablet to break down, so you can be confident the detergent won't disappear during the rinse cycle.
It's a different story for pods though because they've got a liquid component, which would dissolve more quickly, so that one can go in the dispenser.?
M?ore dishwashing powder doesn't equal a better clean, it actually does the opposite.
Excess powder can leave a residue on your glasses, bits of powder in the grooves of kitchenware and can leave your dishwasher full of suds.
Follow instructions on your detergent packaging, and if you do use too much run another cycle with white vinegar in the dishwasher dispenser.
I?t's easy to forget the dishwasher has a filter or not even realise it's there, but it is and it does a massive job filtering grime and debris from your dishes.
If your dishes come out of the dishwasher with a film on them and your glasses look cloudy, a dirty filter could be why.?
That's why it needs to be cleaned regularly. But how often it needs cleaning depends on how frequently your dishwasher gets used. So weekly is a good idea for some households, but monthly works for others.
While the filter is important to clean regularly, every now and then you should be deep cleaning the dishwasher.
This includes running an empty cycle with a store bought dishwasher cleaner, or a bowl of white vinegar on the bottom shelf.
?Doing this removes build-up of limescale, food debris and grime that has accumulated in the parts of your dishwasher.
It will help prevent your dishwasher from smelling, mean your dishes are cleaned well and makes the machine more efficient.?
T?urning the dishwasher on when it's not full means wasting water and your dishes won't dry as well.
"Dishwashers are very water-efficient compared with washing by hand in the sink, but to get maximum efficiency you really need to wait till it's completely full," Ashley Iredale, CHOICE dishwasher expert said.
"Running it half-empty is leaving money on the table as far as your energy and water use are concerned. Also, a full dishwasher will have better drying performance due to the greater thermal mass of its contents."
Fragile dishes like glassware and plastic containers should go in the top rack.
This is because the heating element of a dishwasher is in the bottom so ?the most dirty and durable things should go there.
A lot of top racks have features that help support items like glassware with stems, so utilising these will ensure your delicate pieces stay in good condition for as long as possibl?e.
B?ig trays, long utensils and too many things in the dishwasher can interfere with the movement of the spray arm.
This results in water not getting to all the surfaces of your dishes and means they might come out a little dirty.?
W?hen long utensils are placed in the cutlery basket they can block spray arms and water from reaching other dishes.
The top shelf is the best spot for them with the utensil laying down. If you have a cutlery shelf above the top shelf, you can use that for long utensils too.?
S?ome dishwasher models have a feature that means the top rack can be lowered.
This is a really handy extra to have because sometimes there are things, like tall glasses, that could go in the dishwasher if only they fit.
Another way to use this feature if you have it, is to lower just one end so the water drains off the top of your mugs when the dishwasher has finished.?
T?here is a surprisingly high number of things you can put in the dishwasher, but there is also a lot of things you shouldn't put in there.
Wooden items are high on the list of things that should only be hand washed. This is because the high heat can warp and break the wood?.
Chef knives are another no-no. The dishwasher can dull the blade, cause rust, damage other items and be dangerous to remove from the dishwasher.?
M?any of us are guilty of not reading the instruction manual for anything we bring home.
But they actually contain a lot of useful information, including what settings are best for particular needs.
So if you're just using the same cycle again and again, have a look at the manual to see what features your machine has.
You might be missing out on more efficient cycles or options for deeper cleans.?
A?lways start unpacking from the bottom shelf of the dishwasher.
Failing to do so means you'll probably drip and splash all the water that's collected on top of mugs and cups over the much drier dishes below. And then the task will take a whole lot longer.
T?here is a kind of art to the way you should stack a dishwasher so everything can be washed well and you're not blocking water from reaching other items.
Try larger plates on the outside of the bottom shelf and add smaller plates in front, and avoid putting a plate in front of a bowl?.
Think about how you're stacking the dishwasher as you do it, and consider whether your arrangement will allow water to reach the dish or if something is in the way.
J?ust because dishwashers are more efficient when they're full, doesn't mean you need to over do it.
Fill the space on the shelves and leave the rest for another cycle, or hand-wash if needed.
Don't layer things on top of one another either, as it will impede water flow.
A full but not over-full dishwasher is best for good results.?
S?ome people prefer hand-washing even though they have a dishwasher, but you need to run the machine occasionally to keep it in good condition.
And if it's been a while since you've opened it, there could be something lurking inside while it hasn't been used.?
"Dishwashers like to be run. If you leave them for too long, their seals can dry out and harden, and you may even get an insect infestation that can cause your unit to break down. Cockroaches love electrical circuits, for some reason," CHOICE appliance expert Ashley Iredale said.
