Rinse Your Dishes Before the Wash? It Might Make Them Dirtier!

If you notice someone putting their plate directly in the dishwasher,
dishwasher
If you skip the initial quick wash, you might assume they’re cutting corners by missing a step. In truth, though, they’re likely following the proper procedure.

Holly Moore, who established and runs an in-home cleaning business


Maids and Moore


, informed SofTech that pre-rinsing dishes prior to placing them in the dishwasher is a frequent error she observes individuals making in the kitchen.


Even though you should remove leftover food from the plates, there’s no need to rinse the dishes.

We contacted home appliance specialists regarding why pre-rinsing dishes often proves counterproductive (though not always) and how individuals may unintentionally harm their dishwashers. Eager to dive deep into these issues? Here we go.

Why washing dishes might cause more damage than benefit.

Ian Palmer-Smith, an expert in appliance repairs at


Domestic & General


SofTech was informed by Palmer-Smith that many dishwashers include an integrated food detector capable of assessing the amount of residue left on the plates. This detection influences both the duration and water temperature settings for the wash cycle. “If you pre-rinse your dishes,” she elaborated, “the appliance won’t opt for such a thorough cleaning process as it normally might.” She further noted that this could result in stubborn dirt remaining unremoved from some items.

The integrated food sensor uses a beam of light to scan the plates. Should this detector identify significant amounts of debris or residue, the dishwasher automatically opts for an extended cleaning cycle instead of using the standard setting. As Moore pointed out, during operation, typical dishwashers expel leftover bits along with used water into your household pipes. Nonetheless, certain remnants might wind up trapped within a dedicated collector inside the machine. According to Palmer, this filter ought to be serviced approximately every four weeks.

It’s crucial to understand that not every dishwasher includes a built-in food sensor. However, if your dishwasher was manufactured within the past two decades, it probably comes with this feature, as stated by


Lee Gilbert


, an expert in repairing household appliances and the founder of Ransom Spares, a retail store for home appliance replacement parts.

Moore suggested verifying this information by consulting the user manual. If you discarded the manual, you could search for it online by looking up your dishwasher’s model number through Google. “The user guide usually details the appliance’s features, indicating whether it includes a food sensor,” she explained. Keep an eye out for phrases such as ‘dirt sensor,’ ‘automatic sensing cycle,’ or ‘intelligent sensor tech’ when reviewing these materials.

If you’re unable to locate the user manual, Moore suggested examining your dishwasher’s settings. She noted that dishwashers equipped with food sensors typically feature an ‘auto’, ‘sensor wash,’ or ‘smart wash’ mode. According to her, these options signal that the appliance will modify water usage, heat levels, and cycle length depending on how dirty the dishes are. Should this not resolve your confusion, she advises visiting the manufacturer’s official site or contacting their customer support for further assistance.

Palmer-Smith noted that aside from contemporary dishwashers featuring food sensors, advancements in detergent technology have also improved their ability to clean dishes effectively—further negating the need for pre-rinsing. He clarified this by stating, “Dishwasher detergents contain enzymes that bind to food particles; hence, if you rinse your plates beforehand, fewer of these substances will be available to cling onto them.”

Ways to Maintain Your Dishwasher’s Optimal Performance

Perhaps you were unaware until now that your dishwasher has a food detector. Could repeatedly cleaning your dishes prior to placing them inside have permanently impaired this detection system? Moore mentioned that frequently washing dishes beforehand can diminish the effectiveness of the food sensor. “Repeatedly using the dishwasher with already cleaned dishes over time may alter the sensor’s accuracy or lead to less efficient overall wash cycles,” she explained.

What actions can you take regarding this issue? The three specialists all gave identical counsel: cease pre-rinsing your plates. Palmer-Smith mentioned that the food detector ought to resume functioning shortly. However, if you don’t see an improvement after multiple washes, according to Gilbert, replacement of the sensor may be necessary.

According to the experts, during the washing process, certain remnants of food can accumulate in an internal compartment known as the food trap. A frequent error many individuals commit stems from this—neglecting to clean their dishwashers regularly. As Palmer-Smith advised, “It’s advisable to cleanse your dishwasher roughly every four weeks.” This maintenance involves clearing the debris trapped inside and wiping down the interior using your preferred kitchen cleanser. While this task requires just a handful of minutes, it plays a crucial role in ensuring prolonged optimal performance of your appliance.

There you go: a perfectly reasonable excuse to bypass one step of cleaning up after eating. Palmer-Smith encapsulated the takeaway like this: “Individuals should allow the dishwasher to fulfill its intended purpose, which is washing dishes.” If only we could find an efficient method for speeding up the process of emptying it…

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