How to Load a Dishwasher

Upper Rack
Cups, glasses, and small bowls should be placed in the top rack. Dishwasher-safe plastics also belong on the top rack, away from any heating element, which can cause damage.

Lower Rack
Plates, serving bowls, and other large items belong on the bottom rack. So do platters, dishwasher-safe cutting boards, and other oversized pieces, which should be placed toward the sides and back so that the spray arm has the flexibility to move around freely. Place items with baked-on food face down and toward the lower spray arm. Aluminum and stainless steel can usually go in the dishwasher, but brass, bronze, wood, and china with gold leaf should all be hand-washed to avoid discoloration or damage. Also keep in mind that dishwasher-safe pots and pans can go on the bottom rack, but don’t run these in the same load with fragile china. Do not wash nonstick pans in the dishwasher unless they are labeled as dishwasher-safe by the manufacturer.

Third Rack
Many new dishwashers offer a shallow third rack located near the top of the appliance to provide some extra loading space. Third racks can handle flatware, baking utensils (like spatulas and ladles), and other items with awkward shapes that might have a hard time fitting elsewhere, says Gerrod Moore, integrated brand manager at Maytag Kitchen. If your third rack is roomier, you can also fit in mugs and bowls.

Cutlery
Forks and spoons should be placed in the basket with handles facing down. Knife handles go up so that you don’t need to grab a sharp blade to remove them. Mix spoons, forks, and knives to keep them from nesting. For hygiene reasons, eating utensils should be separated from one another so that water and detergent can reach all surfaces, says Dirk Sappok, director of category management of kitchen appliances for the North American region of Miele.

Unloading
Empty the bottom rack first. Otherwise, water that collects on the concave surfaces of mugs and glasses in the top rack will spill onto the plates, pots, and dishes below.