​​​​​​Method

• Firstly, unload any clean crockery or cutlery that is already in the dishwasher, placing items in their cupboards and drawers as appropriate.

• Make sure all the crockery you intend to load is “dishwasher safe” before placing inside.

• Next, load all dirty plates, cups and cutlery into the dishwasher. If there is significant residue on any of the crockery, scrape into the bin and/or rinse under warm water before loading.

• As a rule of thumb, the top deck of a dishwasher is used for mugs, cups and bowls, with the lower deck reserved for narrower items such as plates and pan lids. Make sure that glasses, mugs and bowls are always placed in upside down, to ensure they do not collect water.

• Cutlery should be placed in the cutlery basket, with the handle down. Some people prefer to leave knives handle up, to prevent any accidents when unloading the dishwasher.

• A small shelf is usually present on the top deck for larger items of crockery such as wooden spoons, spatulas or bread knives.

• Once the dishwasher is loaded, you’ll need to place a tablet, or some liquid inside and click the compartment shut.

• Finally, choose a cycle that works and turn the dishwasher on. The cycle you choose will be determined on whether the load has been prewashed and how rigorous a wash you feel the crockery requires. 

• Once the cycle is finished, open the door slightly and allow it to air dry for a further 15/20 minutes and unload. Leaving the door shut can creates damp and warm conditions which aren’t ideal for your newly cleaned plates!