If you simply toss dirty dishes in your dishwasher, they will not come clean. Before placing your dishes in the washer, run them under tap water from the sink to remove bits of food, condiments, and other substances.

On the bottom rack, load dishes like pots, pans, casserole dishes, bowls, and plates. Make sure all your dishes face the spray nozzle of your dishwasher. Angle everything down slightly. This will help ensure a more thorough cleaning.

• You should also load silverware in the silverware rack.
• Flat pots and platters should be placed near the back of the dishwasher.
• Make sure stainless steel and silver dishes do not touch. If they touch during the wash, this can cause chemical reaction that will damage your dishes.

Glasses and mugs go in the top rack. Place these face down in the dishwasher and angle them as much as possible to get the insides washed.

You do not need a lot of detergent. Too much detergent can cause soap residue to stick to dishes. Check your detergent's label to see how much to add. Do not add more, even if your dishes are very dirty.

Plastic items are lightweight and can move around easily during the wash. Make sure to place them on racks that keep them secure. They should not wiggle in place, as this can cause them to become dislodged during the wash.

Not everything should be washed in the dishwasher. Refrain from placing the following items in a dishwasher:

• Materials like wood, cast iron, pewter, sterling silver, and aluminum
• Children's glasses with designs
• Nonstick dishes
• Expensive dishes

Run the lightest cycle, if possible. To save water, you should usually opt for the lightest cycle on your dishwasher. If your dishes are not extremely dirty, this should clean them thoroughly. The dishes you normally use in the week for eating, drinking, and cooking should come clean on a light cycle.

Let the dishes air dry in most circumstances. Skipping the dry cycle saves energy. Unless you need to use the dishes immediately, allow them to air dry in the rack before putting them away.

To start, you want to scrub off the exterior of your dishwasher. This will remove things like spilled food and fingerprints. Plastic dishwashers should be wiped down with a sponge and water mixed with some vinegar.

Dishwashers have built-in filters that should be cleaned regularly to keep the dishwasher running smoothly. The filter is found on the bottom rack and can be easily pulled out. For precise instructions on removing the filter, ask Franz or Amy. Clean the filter in the sink. Use a sponge to clean out food and debris stuck in the filter. When you're done, put the filter back in place. If you notice anything grainy, like coffee grounds, these can be cleaned out using a small brush.

Take out any removable parts of the dishwasher, such as utensil holders. Transfer them to the sink and rinse out any stuck on food using tap water. If accessories are only mildly dirty, you may be able to remove foods with running water alone. You may need to use a brush or sponge to remove foods from very dirty filters.

Before cleaning the tub, use paper towels to remove food scraps, dirt, and debris from the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, set a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher. Make sure the cup you use is dishwasher safe. Run a full cycle with the cup in place. This should clean and deodorize your dishwasher's interior. Wipe down the interior of the dishwasher with a paper towel after running a cleaning cycle.