The age-old question: should I clean all the food off my plate? The answer: scrape, don't rinse. Placing unrinsed dishes in the dishwasher allows soap to cling to food particles, preventing wear on dishes. Without food residue, salt may leave a film on dishes.

Place larger items in the lower rack of the dishwasher, starting at the back for better organization.

When adding dishes, load them from the outside in, and position them facing inwards for improved water flow, enhancing the cleaning efficiency of the bottom rack in the dishwasher.

In the top rack of the dishwasher, place glasses beside, not over, the tines to prevent scratching. The angled side helps water drain off, avoiding pooling on top of the cups during the wash cycle.

If you have finer glassware, they often come with designated spots in the dishwasher for stemware and similar glasses.

When placing bowls in the dishwasher, ensure they don't overlap, allowing sufficient water to reach and clean each dish thoroughly. Ensure you angle the dishes to flow with the angle of the bars.

Newer dishwashers often feature a third rack, designed for longer utensils or silverware, providing additional space inside the dishwasher.

Load utensils in the basket. Modern baskets may have sections for easy sorting. If not, alternate placing silverware face up and face down to prevent nesting, ensuring better cleaning with sufficient water and soap coverage.

When loading the dishwasher, make sure wash arms or jets are unobstructed. Objects sticking down, like utensils or long spoons, can hinder movement, disrupting water circulation on both top and bottom shelves. Check the jets at the very top for obstructions as well.

Avoid overloading your dishwasher. While it may be tempting to squeeze in a few extra dishes to avoid handwashing, overcrowding often results in poorly cleaned dishes, requiring a second wash.

If you notice a hazy film on your dishes, you might be using too much detergent. Consider switching to a different detergent, as some are recommended more than others. Experiment with different options to find the one that works best for your dishes.

If your dishwasher soap isn't dispensing, check for obstructions at the bottom, like large dishes or pots that may hinder the dispenser door from opening during the wash cycle, leading to ineffective cleaning.