If you’ve ever wondered, you’re not alone – and the answer might surprise you.
The dishwasher often sparks debate in households, from what items are suitable for cleaning to how frequently it should be used.
A particularly divisive question is whether crockery and dishes require rinsing beforehand, with families frequently divided on the matter. To settle this once and for all, I consulted the experts.
Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair specialist at Domestic & General, described pre-rinsing as “one of the biggest myths” surrounding dishwasher use, reports the Express.
He said: “In reality, this uses extra unnecessary hot water and typically won’t improve the results.
Modern dishwashers use high temperatures designed to break down stubborn stains with little trouble so pre-rinsing plates is a bit like hand washing your car before taking it to the car wash.
“You can save water and skip the pre-rinse; pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher can waste around 1,115 litres of water each year!”
The cleaning products and detergents utilised in dishwashers perform more effectively on soiled dishes because the enzymes in the soap are formulated to latch onto grime and be washed away. Ian explained: “If dishes are thoroughly rinsed, they have nothing to attach to.
“However, if you have a pan with some burnt-on food residue it can be a good idea to give it a soak beforehand. Not scraping away any food before putting items in the dishwasher can cause clogs and eventually need a dishwasher repair.”
David Miloshev, an appliance technician at Fantastic Services, concurred that pre-rinsing isn’t needed for most contemporary dishwashers.
He explained: “Most current dishwashers and detergents are designed to work with food residue, using sensors that detect how dirty the water is and adjust cycle length, temperature and water usage accordingly. When the dishes are rinsed, the dishwasher can assume the load is lightly soiled and shorten the cycle, which can result in not fully removing the grease or dried-on residue.”
He shared Ian’s view that dishes ought to be scraped instead of rinsed.
He added: “Large food scraps, bones, toothpicks or fibrous leftovers should be removed to prevent clogging the filters and spray arms, which is a common service issue with dishwashers. In cases where the food is likely to harden for many hours before a wash cycle runs, a light rinse can help prevent stubborn buildup, but it should be minimal.”