CHOICE dishwasher expert on the five things he would never do

Dishwasher expert Ashley Iredale has revealed the five surprising things you should never do

A dishwasher expert has revealed the five things you should never do if you want the cleanest plates and a machine that won’t break after a year or two.

Ashley Iredale, CHOICE Australia’s dishwasher pro, said common mistakes are putting the tablet in the dispenser and washing your dishes before you put them in the machine.

Ashley, who has an Industrial Design degree and years of experience in a variety of industries including power tools, manufacturing, legal publishing, retail, air conditioning and HVAC, works in the consumer group’s ‘laundry lab’.

The white goods expert knows how to get the best results from a dishwasher – but as he says: “Sometimes it’s the things you don’t do that can make the biggest difference to your dishwasher and what you wash in it .”

The Choice expert detailed the most common mistakes dishwasher owners make, including putting the tablet in the dispenser (left) and pre-washing the dishes before loading the machine (right).

1. Never put the tablet in the detergent drawer

Ashley says you shouldn’t bother putting the tablet in the dishwasher as it’s “completely pointless”.

He said throwing the tablet on the bottom of the machine washes the dishes just as well.

He explained that the compartments are designed for powdered detergents to prevent them from washing down the drain, but tablets don’t.

“Tablets are too big to flush like that, and by being loose in the tub from the start, it gives the soluble packaging a head start on the first rinse, making the tablet itself more readily available from the start of the wash.”

2. Never wash dishes

The expert also warned that rinsing wastes water and doesn’t make your dishes cleaner.

The tip came as a shock to many, but Ashley explained that by tricking your dishwasher into thinking they’re already clean, quickly washing your dishes can actually result in dirtier dishes.

“Be sure to scrape your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but there’s no need to rinse them — it doesn’t make your dishes cleaner and it just uses more water,” Ashley advised.

“Furthermore, by rinsing your plates clean before washing, you show a complete lack of confidence in your dishwasher’s ability to do the job you paid all that money to do.”

3. Never completely close the dishwasher door between washes

Ashley also warned that it’s dangerous to close the dishwasher between washes.

It doesn’t give the seals a chance to dry out, giving mold and bad odors a chance to take hold.

Leaving the door ajar will prevent bacterial and fungal growth as oxygen will flow through and the environment will not be as warm and humid.

“It’s also worth wiping your dishwasher door seals with a soft, damp cloth as part of your weekly cleaning routine to remove food residue and keep your dishwasher door seals in tip-top condition,” adds Ashley.

Closing the dishwasher between washes is dangerous because it doesn’t give the seal a chance to dry out, giving mold and bad odors a chance to take hold. The door should remain slightly ajar (image)

4. Never wash half empty

Rinsing a half-empty dishwasher is inefficient for a number of reasons.

Ashley warned that you’re wasting money, water and energy because no matter how full your dishwasher is, it uses the same amount of electricity and water.

A full dishwasher also dries better as the dishes are warmed up by the hot water in the machine, storing that heat and helping to dry it.

5. Never put sharp knives in the dishwasher

The final tip from the expert is to never put sharp knives in the dishwasher if you don’t want to damage them.

The washing process can dull sharp edges, and the harsh chemicals and humid environment can corrode steel.

“If you’re spending money on good knives, don’t throw them in the dishwasher to save time — they’re hand-washable only,” Ashley said.

“It will actually take you more time, both in constantly sharpening your knives to restore the keen edge and in getting first aid for the injuries you sustain when you try to cut food with a dull blade.