Is That All There Is To It?

           Cleaning dishes, silverware, pots, and pans by using a dishwasher seems like a pretty straightforward idea.  Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher, add soap, turn on and forget. The Soap and Detergent Association though, reminds us that putting a stop to grimy dishes and germs is a little more involved than that.

There are four factors at work here:

          - The mechanical action of the dishwasher

          - The force and high temperature of the water

          - The chemical action of the detergent and rinse agent

          - And the person in charge of putting it all together

How much detergent should I use in my dishwasher?

          For starters, check the directions on the detergent label for the recommended amount. You can also refer to the user manual for your dishwasher.  If you have hard water, you may need to use a little more detergent for the best results.

          Which is more effective- powder, gel or tablet dishwasher detergent?  All are designed to dissolve quickly, but if the water temperature is lowered, tablet detergent may have a difficult time changing into a desirable solution.

          Can I use liquid dishwashing detergent in my dishwasher?  No, not even as a desperate substitute.  Not only will dishwashing detergent create too many suds, which will spill over the floor, but also the suds can interfere with the mechanical action of the dishwasher. They “smother” the water action that is necessary for effective cleaning.

          What’s a rinse agent and should I use one?  A rinse agent is an additive that makes water “wetter” – meaning that the water sheets off dishes more readily and rinses away residue. That translates into fewer water spots; especially in areas with mineral-rich hard water like the Lake Region.  And as an added bonus, rinse agents also help dishes dry quicker.

          Can I put everything in the dishwasher?   As tempting as it might be to stash all those dirty items in the dishwasher, there will always be some items that are better suited to washing by hand. The force and heat of the water – and even the detergent – can damage fragile pieces.  You will probably want to hand wash – aluminum utensils, cast iron, hand painted or antique china, crystal, decorated glassware, hollow-handled knives, milk glass, pewter, silver and wooden items.

          How should a dishwasher be loaded?  Every dishwasher is designed differently, so the best approach is to check the owner’s manual.  General guidelines include: Place the dirtiest side of the item facing the source of the water spray.  Don’t let large items cover small items, like cups or upside-down flatware.  Avoid stacking items close together – if they are too tight, the water isn’t able to reach all areas to clean them.  Place sharp items with pints down. Make sure delicate items are firmly secured on the rack to avoid toppling.

          What about water temperature?  The key word is “hot”.  Most newer dishwashers heat the water right in their tub, using a heat booster.  If you have turned down the temperature on your water heater, for safety’s sake, you might want to run the hot water at the kitchen sink for a few minutes before starting the dishwasher, to insure the water filling the dishwasher is as hot as possible.