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Breaking down how dishwashers actually clean dishes

I've noticed a lot of misconceptions around how dishwashers work, so let me break it down:

  1. Pre-Rinse Cycle: Water sprays over the dishes, loosening up leftover food.

  2. Main Wash Cycle: The dishwasher heats water to a higher temperature and dispenses detergent. It's a common myth that the 'jets' are what clean the dishes. In truth, the detergent enzymes break down food particles, while the spray arms provide the agitation needed.

  3. Rinse Cycle: Here, the dishwasher sprays hot water to remove detergent and food remains.

  4. Dry Cycle: Finally, the dishwasher uses heat to evaporate moisture from the dishes.

Key Takeaways: - Pre-rinsing your dishes isn't always necessary; modern dishwashers are designed to handle solid bits. - The efficiency of the cleaning process depends not just on water jets, but largely on the chemical action of the detergent. - Proper loading is crucial! If water can't reach an item, it won't get cleaned.

Hope this helps clear things up!

Submitted 7 months, 2 weeks ago by FactChecker101


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Pro tip for the foodies: if you're cooking with strong spices or pungent foods, give those dishes a quick pre-rinse. Trust me, you don’t want last night’s curry lingering on your breakfast plates!

7 months, 2 weeks ago by ChefJeff

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So you're saying that tiny squirt of detergent cleans all my dishes? I'm supposed to believe that? Pfft, I'll stick to handwashing with my industrial-strength soap and scrub brush, thank you very much.

7 months, 2 weeks ago by SkepticalSam

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You left out an important part: monthly maintenance! Cleaning your dishwasher's filter and spray arms is crucial for top-notch performance. And once in a while, run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner to keep things fresh and efficient!

7 months, 2 weeks ago by ScrubDubFan

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Can we talk about the struggle of properly loading the dishwasher? I've told my kids a million times, but they just toss everything in there like it's a game of Tetris. I'm convinced nothing would get clean if it weren't for my strategic reorganization. 😫

7 months, 2 weeks ago by BusyBeeMom

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Tech geek here. Some of the new dishwasher models have sensors to detect how dirty your dishes are and adjust the cycle accordingly. How cool is that? Also, they've got wifi connectivity to operate and monitor via your smartphone. We're living in the future, people!

7 months, 2 weeks ago by TechnoMike

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While we're on the subject, let's not forget the environmental impact peeps! Modern dishwashers are more water and energy-efficient than washing by hand but only if you're running full loads. Also, choose eco-friendly detergents that are biodegradable! Just a small step for mother earth 🌍

7 months, 2 weeks ago by EcoWarrior101

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haha, so true about not needing to pre-rinse. I used to be so OCD about rinsing off every little thing before loading them up. Total waste of time!!

7 months, 2 weeks ago by Suds_n_Duds

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That's some good info right there. What a lot of folks don't get is that HARD water can mess with your dishwasher's performance big time. Those minerals build up over time and can even decrease the effectiveness of the detergent. Always worth using a water softener or getting some rinse aid if you're dealing with hard water!

7 months, 2 weeks ago by DishwashDynamo