Fully Loaded: Dishwasher Tips For Clean Dishes

Many of us have our own method of loading the dishwasher, but believe it or not there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. We've got the "don'ts" and "do's" of loading a dishwasher. Here to explain was Sonal Dutt, lifestyle director of Everyday with Rachel Ray magazine.

CEREAL BOWLS
DON'T: Double up dishes in one space or nestle bowls into one another. This will block water and detergent from getting in between to clean
DO: Be sure that the bowls are standing up and have the rear ones face forward and the front ones facing back. Cereal bowls should be loaded down the center of the top rack...Something to be mindful of is the direction of the water jets

PLASTIC STORAGE CONTAINERS
DON'T: Place plastics on the bottom shelf. They can melt or warp if they are too close to the machine's steamy belly
DO: Stick plastic containers on the top rack slightly angled down toward the water jets. Slide plastic lids in the rack dividers on the top shelf)

UTENSILS
DON'T: The only thing to remember is to not over load the basket ...When it comes to your sharp knives, we suggest washing them by hand so that the blades don't dull
DO: It's actually better to toss them in the utensil basket at random to prevent them from nesting into one another

CUPS
DON'T: Many of us rest our cups over the tines on the rack ...You actually want to nestle cups between these prongs so food and soap doesn't get caught inside Don't position glasses or dishes too close to one another. The vibrations caused by the washing cycle cause slight movements and can chip or crack glassware...Be sure to allow sufficient space between breakable items
DO: Secure cups face down along the outer channels of the top rack

CAKED ON CASSEROLE DISH
DON'T: Watch that larger items aren't interfering with the washing arm's rotation when the bottom tray is pushed in
DO: Place them on the bottom rack faced down or slightly angled toward a jet for full blast potential. Caked on Casserole Dish Now for the dreaded dried up messes on cooking dishes and pots. These of course need the most intense spray power and heat.

RUBBER DUCKY
DON'T: Wash unlike items such as dog toys and baby bottles in the same load
DO: Anything durable like a kid or dog toys can be tossed in the rack for a good clean. Lay these items down in the racks . Place smaller items that may be jostled in the utensil basket.

For more kitchen tips, check out thw August issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray or visit www.rachaelraymag.com.