If you think loading a dishwasher is a “no-brainer” activity, think again! Believe it or not, there’s a proper way to organize your kitchenware into this miracle appliance. Today we’ve got tips for you via our expert kitchen buddies at Food52. After reading these instructions, you may never load your dishwasher the same way again!

1. Load the dishwasher from back to front.

   It’s true; before learning this technique, I had never really paid close attention to how I was stacking my plates, cups, and glassware in the dishwasher. Nonetheless, once in a while I would open up that steamy appliance and be disappointed to see a shattered wine glass or broken bowl.

   The key to keeping your kitchenware safe is by loading the dishwasher from back to front. By doing this, you are ensuring that all fragile pieces have proper re-enforcement.

   Additionally, it helps you maximize the most space possible, an especially important detail to take note of if you are cleaning up after a dinner party!

2. Organize that cutlery!

   Sure, it’s tempting to throw your knives in with your spoons, without a second thought, but this bad habit is surely costing you some precious time. Segregating your silverware will help the emptying process go so much faster.

   Also, our host Merrill brings up a good point about knives— no pun intended! These sharp tools tend to take the brunt of sticky food residue. To ensure that they are being properly cleaned and sanitized, be sure that they are placed tip-side up in the caddy.

3. Dishwasher-safe plastic belongs at the top, not the bottom.

   To avoid a potential melty, ooey-gooey disaster, always be sure to refrain from stacking any plastic items on the bottom tray of the dishwasher, where most of the heat is dispersed.

   In addition to this, it’s important that you pay close attention to which types of plastic are dishwasher-safe, and which are not. Unfortunately, many types of disposable plastic food containers just do not cut the mustard when introduced to super-hot environments.

   We suggest always educating yourself about your products before exposing them to materials or circumstances that they were not built to handle.

4. Tips and tricks for unloading your dishwasher

   So, now we know that there is a proper way to load your dishwasher, but what about unloading it? You would think that the advice would end once that ‘START’ button is pushed, but there is even more to learn!

   For instance, Merrill makes a great point when she instructs the viewer to unload the dishwasher from the bottom up.

   She explains, “When you’re unloading your dishwasher, you’re going to want to start at the bottom and work your way up. Because if you start at the top of your dishwasher, the dishes on the top are going to shake any left-over water onto the dishes at the bottom.”

   The woman does have a point! Not having to wipe down damp dishes sounds much better than the alternative.

For even more dishwasher advice, watch Food52’s helpful video below.

Do you have any dishwasher related tips? What do you think of Merrill’s “bottom-up” rule? Tell us all about your thoughts and stories in the comments section below!