Load the dishwasher correctly and repurpose it with clever hacks

There are some life hacks you may not know about when loading your dishwasher properly. You can use your device differently by using it for non-typical purposes and household tasks such as cleaning shoes or even cooking. In addition, the practical kitchen helper's abilities can surprisingly extend far beyond dishwashing. Below, discover some tips and tricks for using the household appliance that can help you with everyday household tasks.

Optimize household cleaning and load the dishwasher correctly

If you're lucky enough to own a dishwasher, it's probably hard for you to imagine living without it. Just because you have one doesn't mean you're using it correctly. No other household appliance is as versatile when it comes to cleaning any item as efficiently as possible. There are a number of other clever tricks your dishwasher can perform. These can change the way you use your device in practical ways. Thus, you will not only be able to othersClean household items, but you can even prepare your dinner in it.

If you're hosting this upcoming holiday season, your home will likely be filled with people, food, festive cheer, and lots of dirty dishes. Once everyone leaves the house, you'll surely notice that your kitchen sink is crammed with dishes, utensils, and serving platters. However, post-party cleaning doesn't have to be a multi-day process if you load your dishwasher correctly. Be smart and save more money and electricity through clever use. Without further ado, here are some of the best methods you can try for yourself.

Use less detergent or dishwasher tablets

Excessive use of dishwashing detergent can not only cost more, but it can also scratch or scratch dishesGlasses look milkylet. Whether you use liquid, powder or tabs, you usually need much less than the package recommends. The amount you use depends primarily on how dirty your dishes are, rather than how large the quantity is. If you have a full load of slightly dirty plates and glasses, you should only add a small amount of dishwashing items.

Every now and then, use vinegar to properly load the dishwasher

The spray arm works from the center outward, so you should load plates, cutting boards, baking sheets, etc. toward the center of the dishwasher. This way, they are sure to receive the proper spray treatment that such kitchenware needs. If the water in your area is also hard and hard, you may often notice stains on dishes or your glasses becoming cloudy. So what would be the simplest solution? Place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack before the dishwasher runs a cleaning cycle. The home remedy acts as a rinse aid and combats theStains caused by limescale deposits.

Use laundry net in the dishwasher

Technically developed to protect delicate laundry in the washing machine, laundry bags can also be used well in the kitchen. Load one of these with small items and place it on the top shelf so the pieces don't get lost in battle. For items that are too large for a laundry net but not large enough that they won't turn over during a wash cycle, you might consider a wire dish rack. Turn this upside down and use it to anchor things at the bottom.

This is how you can load your dishwasher properly

As mentioned, your dishwasher most likely has a spray arm or ring at the bottom. Make sure you never block this one. For example, placing a large mixing bowl on top will get it clean, but the remaining dishes in the load will still be dirty at the end of the cycle. At the same time, a dishwasher can be too full. If you put too many dishes, some of them may block water from flowing to other nearby items. Load the baskets so that everything has space and nothing clinks together. Also load the device from the back to the front. In the long run, it's better to pull out the drawer completely and start from the back to the front. However, this does not affect how your dishwasher cleans. It just makes loading easier for you.

Additionally, when it's time to put away the completely clean dishes, you should start with the bottom basket. This way you don't spill water that is on the top rack on the dry dishes below. Remember this is key because it is bad to put dishes that are still wet in your cupboards. Before you start the dishwasher, you can also turn on your kitchen sink faucet and let the water run until it feels hot. This way, the first cycle will be warm instead of cold, which can be a handy, energy-saving trick, especially in winter. Also make sure that no pans, bowls or cups are facing upwards and open. Open dishes catch dirty water and the whole load gets bathed in it again and again.

There is so much to do when you need to host a Christmas party. Not only are you responsible for cooking, but you also have to clean, organize, rearrange, and decorate your home. While your dishwasher can't set the table for you, there are a few ways you can use it to streamline household cleaning. For example, there are a number of non-dinnerware items that can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher, so you don't have to wipe them by hand. Simply give these items a gentle cleaning cycle:

  • Vacuum cleaner attachments
  • Plastic cleaning brushes and kitchen sponges
  • Oven knobs
  • microwave plates
  • Extractor hood filters and/or vent covers
  • Left
  • Artificial flowers and plants
  • Hard plastic toy

Here are a few more tricks you can use using your kitchen appliance.

Wash potatoes in the dishwasher

Don't feel like scrubbing five kilos of potatoes? If you load the vegetables in your dishwasher correctly, the appliance can do this annoying task for you! Place the produce on the top rack and run a cold cycle, without detergent of course, to rinse off firm fruits and vegetables for larger events.

If you're preparing for a dinner party, for example, you can save time by washing the vegetables in the dishwasher. This is especially useful for messy vegetables like carrots and root vegetables. Simply slide it into the top rack of the dishwasher and you're ready to go.

Load and prepare salmon or light meat correctly in the dishwasher

You have most likely never dared to cook in a dishwasher. For example, wrap a salmon fillet in aluminum foil with lemon and turn the dishwasher on the highest setting. Make sure that the packaging remains airtight and well sealed to prevent water from entering. Since most dishwashers don't go above 170°C, you don't have to worry about your fish overcooking. You can also use the machine to keep food or plates warm when there is no water circuit.

Remove dirt from the computer keyboard in the dishwasher

Keyboards are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. So why not freshen up your computer accessories with a rinse cycle in the kitchen appliance? Use one cycle, making sure to remove the keyboard from the machine before the drying cycle begins. However, it then needs to be left in the air for a few days to dry. Additionally, be warned that although most keyboards are safe to put in the dishwasher, most manufacturers do not recommend it. Therefore, it is advisable to only try the hack on older models.

Properly load and clean shoes and accessories in the dishwasher

Dirty baseball caps, flip-flops, and sneakers can also be loaded into the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning, but not at the same time as dishes, pans, and cutlery. This is also a good way to clean other household items, such as toothbrushes.

Disinfect plastic toys in the dishwasher

After a child has spent a long day playing with their toys, many parents know that they will come back dirty. So how about putting them in the dishwasher? Afterwards they will emerge like new. However, it is advisable to place such smaller items in a colander or laundry bag to prevent them from falling between shelves. Put the toys away and wash them at the lowest temperature. However, you should not put items with synthetic hair, such as dolls, in the dishwasher as it may melt or become damaged.

Clean smaller garden tools in the dishwasher

As you can already guess, the dishwasher is also ideal for cleaning garden tools. In fact, removing soil from your trowel can be a messy job. So instead, try putting your garden tools in the dishwasher to remove stubborn dirt and soil from them. So there are all sorts of things that you can put in theDishwasher correctlyto put away and clean. A final tip is not to wash sharp and expensive knives in it as this will dull them and could damage their handles.