Time spent doing the dishes is time you'll never get back, so every minute you can claw back from this boring chore is gold, right?
Working smarter, not harder, with your dishwasher will give you more time in your day for valuable pursuits like doom-scrolling, binge-watching and/or mindlessly eating corn chips until you realise you've accidentally consumed an entire family pack in one sitting. (Or is that just me?)
It'll also help you avoid the bitter disappointment of having to re-wash dishes that have come out of the dishwasher dirty, and save you a bit of cash to boot (which you can spend on buying more corn chips, naturally).
Just 25 cents a pop: Aldi's Logix Platinum dishwasher capsules give good performance on the cheap.
Tip #1: Buy cheap dishwasher tablets that work
Dishwasher tablets can be pricey, but you actually don't need to drop big dollars to get squeaky-clean dishes.
Don't get us wrong, some of the expensive products really deliver. Two Finish Powerball Ultimate products topped our dishwasher detergent tests with an 80% CHOICE Expert Rating, but they will set you back $1.18 and $1.42 per wash respectively.
Not far behind, Coles Ultra Advanced scored an impressive 76% CHOICE Expert Rating for a fraction of the price at a thrifty 15 cents a wash. Similarly, Aldi's Logix Platinum dishwasher capsules also rated well at 75% and cost only 25 cents per wash.
Check our review to find the best dishwasher tablets.
Tip #2: Don't bother with the detergent dispenser (if you're using tablets)
It may only save you about five seconds, but chucking your dishwasher tablet on the floor of the dishwasher is the best way to go.
The dispenser is actually designed for powder detergents. It doesn't open until after the first rinse cycle to keep the powder dry until it's ready to be dispensed at the start of the wash cycle.
Tablets won't wash away, and the water in the first rinse cycle will start to work on the dissolvable wrapper so it's good to go as soon as the wash cycle kicks in, especially if you're running a quick program.
So save yourself the time and effort of struggling with the annoying little dispenser door and just lob it in. You'll save time and it's kind of fun casually throwing the tablet in – it feels a bit like breaking the rules.
(Tragic, we know, but you've got to take your fun where you can get it with chores, right?)
Tip #3: Master your stacking game
There are two kinds of dishwasher stackers in the world: the chaotic and the perfectionist. One lobs dishes in without a care while the other meticulously arranges them like elaborate puzzle pieces to optimise every wash.
Usually, the haphazard stacker drives the perfectionist spare while being completely oblivious to the frustration they're causing.
While you might not be able to change your fellow stackers' habits, you can master your own stack style when you're (inevitably) re-stacking the dishwasher.
"When you're stacking your crockery, try to visualise how the water will flow around it – can it reach all the dirty surfaces that need cleaning?" says CHOICE dishwasher expert Denis Gallagher.
When you're stacking your crockery, visualise how the water will flow around it – can it reach all the dirty surfaces?
Denis Gallagher, CHOICE dishwasher expert
"Squeezing everything close together might mean you fit more in, but you'll actually end up creating more work for yourself because you'll have to re-wash anything that didn't get clean.
"Face the dirty side of each item inwards towards the centre of the dishwasher, and stack larger items towards the back and at the sides."
Tip #4: Scrape, don't rinse
To save even more time (and water, while you're at it), don't rinse your dishes.
The thing is, rinsing your plates not only uses more water, it also tricks your dishwasher into thinking your plates are cleaner than they actually are – so it will likely dial down the power and may not clean your dishes as well.
Having to rewash your dishes when they come out of the dishwasher kind of defeats the purpose of having a dishwasher in the first place. You paid all that money for your dishwasher to clean your dishes, right?
So trust that it can handle your dirty dishes.
Just scrape off any chunky bits, then pop your plates straight into the dishwasher and let it do its job.
The one exception to this rule is if you're not going to use your dishwasher for a day or longer, then do rinse your dishes more thoroughly. Your dishwasher might be good at its job, but even the best can be challenged by crusted-on curry or fossilised granola.
Tip #5: Take a plate when you go dishwasher shopping
No, this isn't just to keep the munchies at bay while you're at the appliance store. It's so you can try your dishwasher on for size.
Before you buy, you need to make sure that your plates will actually fit in your new dishwasher. And if you wash your wine glasses in the dishwasher, take one of those along too so you know it'll fit.
I found this out the hard way. Once my new dishwasher was installed, I discovered that my main plates were too tall and blocked the spray arm. I literally had to buy a new set of plates so I didn't have to suffer the indignity of hand-washing them right next to my shiny new dishwasher.
Before you buy, you need to make sure that your plates will actually fit in your new dishwasher
Some dishwashers have adjustable-height top baskets that allow you to adjust the rack up to fit bigger plates.
An 'easy-lift top basket' is the ultimate version of this – it allows you to change the height while it's fully loaded, so when that last plate is just that bit too big to fit, you won't need to completely unload the dishwasher to get it in.
They're handy for dinner parties where you've used larger platters, or if you make the mistake of not taking a plate with you to shop for a dishwasher.
Tip #6: Wash your dishwasher
Dishwashers may clean your dishes every day, but sometimes they need a clean too. If your unit's getting a bit pongy or soap scum's building up, give it some much-needed TLC to help ensure it lasts as long as it should (about 11 years, according to our experts).
Be brave and clean the filter to ensure it's free of debris and check the holes in the spray arms for blockages (it's wild what can get stuck in them). Then run the dishwasher empty with a normal tablet in it. No need to select the hottest wash program, as it'll get hot enough inside just using the default setting.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
