How to Use a Dishwasher the Right Way: Step-By-Step Guide

Knowing how to use dishwashers properly is key to making your daily routine easier and your kitchenware sparkling clean after every wash. Have you ever run the dishwasher only to find that your dishes and glasses are still dirty with smudges and food particles? Maybe you just bought your first-ever dishwasher and are not sure of how to use it for the first time.   

No matter the scenario, it is essential to learn how to operate a dishwasher step by step to achieve perfect cleanliness and daily comfort and to avoid damaging your kitchenware and the appliance itself. Following the right process, your time in the kitchen will become easier and more convenient with shining glasses, dishes, and pots—with no frustration involved. Eager to run the dishwasher? This guide provides you with everything you need to know: how dishwashers work, how to use them correctly, and what items should never go into the dishwasher. 

How Dishwashers Work: An Insider Look 

Dishwashers do a lot more than what meets the eye to get your dishware sparkling clean. So, how do they work? Generally speaking, the dishwasher sprays hot water mixed with detergent on the kitchenware to remove grease and food particles. This function is usually done through rotating spray arms that ensure all items are thoroughly cleaned. 

Simultaneously, built-in filters trap debris to prevent the dishwasher's pump and drainage system from clogging and to stop the food particles and dirt from getting redeposited into your dishes. Most dishwashers use high-temperature rinses to sanitize the items and run a drying cycle to leave them spotless and ready to use. This outlines how dishwashers work, regardless of variations in dishwasher types and models. 

So, how can you make the best of it? How to use a dishwasher machine the right way? And how to operate it for the first time? 

How to Use a Dishwasher for the First Time 

It is important to learn how to use a dishwasher for the first time because that entails specific steps that are only done on the first run or initial setup. So, whether this is your first-ever dishwashing machine or your most current upgrade, here is what you need to do when using it for the first time: 

• Read the Manual Carefully

Begin by learning the specific controls, features, and safety instructions for your dishwasher model and read through the manual. This will help you operate the appliance smoothly and avoid mistaking the current controls with the ones from your previous appliance.

• Check Installation 

While the installation team makes sure that the appliance is properly connected to water, power, and drainage, you can do a simple double-check by confirming that the hose and plugs are secure and stable in their designated places. 

• Remove Packaging & Protective Materials

Manufacturers add temporary materials to protect the dishwasher during shipping and installation, which then need to be removed before the first wash so they do not melt nor interfere with the cleaning process. Some of these materials include plastic films on the door and control panel and foam blocks inside the tub to keep the racks from moving. 

• Run an Empty Cycle 

While this step is not mandatory, it is still highly recommended. It is best you run an empty cycle just to rinse out dust and residue that had come from the manufacturing, shipping, and installation processes. This ensures the dishwasher is clean and ready before it handles your kitchenware.

• Familiarize Yourself with Racks 

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the racks and compartments, including the utensil baskets, the tines, and any other adjustable components. Experiment with the setup so loading the dishwasher becomes an easy and quick process. 

Now that you have done all these steps, you must be eyeing the piles of dishes and kitchen utensils that need to be cleaned. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to use the dishwasher machine efficiently for flawless cleanliness and satisfying results. 

How to Use Dishwashers Step by Step

Knowing how to use dishwashers correctly will save you lots of time and confusion and eliminate the need for running second cycles, which ultimately reduces water and energy bills. So, if you want an easy and energy-efficient cleaning routine, you must know how to use dishwashers step by step for optimal performance, perfect cleaning results, and a hassle-free process. 

Here is how to operate dishwashers properly and efficiently: 

• Step 1: Prepare the Dishes 

Make sure to scrape off large food scraps from the dishes, allowing the water and detergent to reach the entirety of surfaces for thorough cleaning. If you skip this step, the food residue will prevent effective cleaning and cause baked-on food and stains, as well as block the filter or drain, leading eventually to odors and mechanical issues. However, do not rinse the items because the detergent still needs some food to cling to during the cleaning process. 

• Step 2: Check Dishwasher Safety 

You have to check whether or not the items are safe for dishwasher use before placing them onto the racks. The majority of everyday kitchenware is good to go into the dishwasher, including dishes, glasses, and stainless steel utensils. Only put in plastic pieces if they are labeled as dishwasher-safe, either on the bottom or on the packaging. That said, there are some kitchen items that should only be washed by hand. More on these in a later section. 

• Step 3: Loading the Dishwasher

The next step of how to use the dishwasher is to load it properly and correctly. Dishwashers are typically divided into two racks: the upper rack for small and delicate items like glasses, cups, and small bowls and the lower rack for the heavier and bigger items such as dinner plates, pots, pans, and mixing bowls. Place the kitchenware according to this division. The tines, silverware basket, and adjustable components will help you navigate through the dishwasher. Finally, check that the spray arms are not blocked so they can rotate freely. 

• Step 4: Adding the Detergent 

The dishwasher detergent is formulated specifically to break down food particles and grease, so it is crucial you use the correct detergent and never replace it with other cleaning products like dishwashing liquid. Adding the regular dishwashing soap to the machine will only cause excessive suds and damage to the appliance. As a key step of how to operate dishwashers, simply fill the designated detergent cup or compartment using a high-quality detergent. Be sure to add in the recommended amount as clarified by the instructions on the packaging. 

• Step 5: Choosing the Right Cycle 

If you want to use a dishwasher machine correctly, it is important to choose the proper washing cycle for the best results. Washing cycles are the different programs that the appliance offers, each designed to deal with varying levels of soil, from lightly soiled items to heavily soiled pots and pans. It is worth noting that some cycles are gentler than others, making them more suitable for fine china and delicate kitchenware. Some programs are also quicker than others, making them perfect for when you are in a hurry to get the items clean and ready for use. Then, close the door securely and start the selected cycle. 

• Step 6: Finishing and Unloading 

After you start the cycle, do not interrupt the washing process by opening the door. Not only will this disrupt the water jets and stop the spray arms, but the dishes may not get thoroughly cleaned once the process finishes. By opening the door, you would also risk getting burned as the hot steam escapes the appliance. Simply let the dishwashing machine finish the cycle before unloading, and remove the bottom rack first to prevent water from the upper rack from dripping into the clean dishes. 

Now that you’ve learned how to operate a dishwasher, follow our tips below to make the most of your dishwasher.

How to Operate a Dishwasher: Useful Tips 

While operating a dishwasher is a generally straightforward process as outlined above, there are some tips to keep in mind that can help you optimize the dishwasher machine to the maximum. Below are some tips on how to operate a dishwasher most efficiently for incredibly gleaming results:

• Do not overload the racks, because that would prevent the items from getting thoroughly cleaned. 
• Do not run the cycle half-empty to remain energy-efficient. If your load is small, opt for the eco or short cycle to reduce energy and water usage. 
• Clip a dishwasher freshener onto the upper rack and run it as usual to get rid of unpleasant odors. 
• When loading the dishwasher, make sure that the plates do not overlap so the water and detergent reach all surfaces for thorough cleaning.

• Clean the filter regularly by washing it with hot, soapy water to get rid of residue build-up and to prevent clogs. 
• Use rinse aid to help glasses dry without water spots and to elevate the overall drying performance.
• Keep plastic items on the top rack to prevent warping or melting from the heat at the bottom.

Speaking of plastic, it is crucial you are careful of what to put and leave out of your dishwasher to protect your health, prolong the lifespan of the appliance, and make your kitchenware last. 

Items That Should Never Go in the Dishwasher 

Some items can go into the dishwasher, but some others should be cleaned the old-fashioned way. Here are some things you should never place in the dishwasher: 

1. Wooden items like cutting boards, wooden spoons, and bowls.
2. Cast iron pieces like pots and pans. 
3. High-quality and non-stainless knives.
4. Crystal or hand-painted glassware. 
5. Nonstick pans, or else the coating would get damaged. 
6. Aluminum cookware. 
7. Non-safe dishwasher plastic. 

With this in mind, you now have a clear and comprehensive understanding of how to use dishwashers the right way—starting with operating them for the first time, choosing cycles, and the items that you should not place in the dishwasher machine. So, what about LG dishwashers? What are the features they provide? Here is everything you need to know about LG dishwashers in Jordan. 

LG Dishwashers from New Vision: Efficient, Quiet, and Easy-to-Use 

Looking for the top dishwashers on the market? Want to buy the best option to meet your needs effortlessly? LG dishwashers are your top choice, since they combine intuitive usability with efficient cleaning performance. Different models feature the QuadWash™ technology, which uses multi‑motion wash arms to circulate water more thoroughly across dishes, improving cleaning coverage throughout the cycle. Each dishwasher is also equipped with the Inverter Direct Drive motor backed by a 10‑year warranty, granting you reliable performance in the long run. Additionally, this motor is designed to minimize vibration and noise, making the cleaning process comfortably quiet and peaceful. 

LG dishwashers also feature the EasyRack™ Plus system that provides flexible loading options, making it easier to adjust racks to suit various dish sizes and kitchenware. And with the TrueSteam™ technology, LG dishwasher machines provide pure water particles of steam that eliminate water spots for perfectly clean glassware. LG dishwashers in Jordan are available at New Vision, the official distributor of LG appliances in the country, awaiting to become part of your home. 

What are you waiting for? Explore LG dishwashers today from New Vision to elevate your home and comfort like never before.

Check out: Common Dishwasher Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learn more: Home Refrigerator Repair: Easy and Quick Steps