Who would have thought that when the dishwasher was first introduced into the home this labour saving device would in fact be at the heart of many a domestic row? When it comes to dishwasher disharmony, it’s not arguments about whose turn it is to stack, or un-stack it, but how it’s stacked.
A study by manufacturer Bosch found that more than 40% of Americans fight about loading the dishwasher and this dishwasher etiquette prompted a study earlier this year by scientists at Birmingham University who came up with a formula for the best way to stack your dishwasher for maximum efficiency.
Although dishwashers come in many shapes, sizes and designs they all operate on the same basic principles. The base fills up with water that is heated to the correct temperature and then sprayed by two spray arms, one beneath the bottom shelf and one beneath the top. The most powerful jets are at the bottom, along with the detergent, which means that the most dirty items should be loaded into the bottom tray (pre-rinsed) along with the cutlery, placed face-up to ensure they are easily accessible to clean. Glasses should be placed in the top tray where they are less likely to get damaged.
The main question is do you care about getting the maximum efficiency out of your dishwasher, or is speedy loading what matters most? It’s these conflicting styles that lie at the heart of the dishwasher wars.