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Are You Stacking Your Dishwasher The Right Way?

May 4, 2023 - 3 min read

It’s the Great Debate that can split even the happiest of households. What is the best way to load a dishwasher? Are you the ‘anything goes’ type? Or do you have a strict method? We spotlight common mistakes that might affect your wash – and flag the cool new appliance features that ensure your dirty dishes never come out anything less than squeaky clean.

To Rinse Or Not To Rinse?

Hands down it’s the biggest debate among users. “It’s best to avoid rinsing your dishes manually before stacking them to reduce your water and energy consumption,” says Shannon Tweedie, Marketing Manager for Home Appliances at LG Electronics Australia.

“Instead, we recommend that you scrape any excess food off plates and bowls and empty any liquids from mugs and cups before stacking. You’ll maximise your water efficiency while still getting the benefit of clean dishes.”

Retire your pre-rinse habit with a clean conscience with the LG QuadWash Platinum Steel TrueSteam Dishwasher: its four-blade spray-arm mechanism jets water into every nook and cranny, with steam power to penetrate any food residue.

How To Stack A Dishwasher

“When dishes and cutlery are stacked incorrectly – or your washer is crammed too full – it can prevent optimal water flow and ultimately affect your cleaning experience,” says Shannon Tweedie.

“Leave a small gap between bowls and plates to allow water and detergent to flush through and reach all surfaces. Bowls, cups, mugs and other hollow items should be placed face down to avoid water pooling.”

How To Stack Cutlery In A Dishwasher

Tray or basket? Which is the superior choice when upgrading your dishwasher? It’s another hot topic for dishwasher diehards – but there are stacking hacks for both camps.

Separate spoons in the basket so they don’t get too clingy, and position knives and forks pointy ends down to avoid the odd poke.

For slide-out cutlery trays, it’s okay to be a control freak! Place dirty knives, forks and spoons into their designated notches for an optimal clean (don’t just toss them in and hope for the best).

The LG 60cm QuadWash Dishwasher helps tame utensil disarray with its SmartRack flexible design, which offers a third adjustable rack for cutlery, espresso cups and those unwieldy spatulas.

"When dishes and cutlery are stacked incorrectly – or your washer is crammed too full – it can prevent optimal water flow and ultimately affect your cleaning experience."

New Features That Ensure A Sparkling Clean

Dishwashers have wised up. They now work harder, faster and smarter to strongarm your washing-up pile and take the faff out of stacking. Look for flexible, adjustable shelves to accommodate everything from long-stemmed wine glasses to bulky pans; glass care technology that tweaks water quality for maximum sparkle (no more cloudy flutes); built-in garbage disposals to obliterate larger food morsels; and dual-zone wash options that knuckle down on grubby pots with a higher spray intensity.

Shop The Latest Dishwashers

The roomy Hisense 60cm Freestanding Dishwasher is a top choice for entertainers and larger broods: the Auto Door Opening feature banishes built up steam so you don’t have to waste time hand drying dewy dishes and glasses afterwards.
Germs front of mind? The Fisher & Paykel 60cm Built Under Dishwasher offers the extra security of a Sanitise option that blasts 99.9% of bacteria in the final rinse (perfect for baby bottles), along with an Extra Dry setting to target those tough-to-dry plastic containers.

A well-performing dishwasher can save you hours in the kitchen. Check out our latest, innovative dishwashers in-store and online. We’ve also got you covered for any dishwasher accessories you may need.