That way, theyre sure to come out clean, right?

Pros think you shouldn’t have to clean dishes before loading them for a full dishwasher cycle.

So, here’s what experts say about washing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

A person places a dishwasher pod into the front of the Danby DDW631SDB Countertop Dishwasher

The Spruce / Ivy Ford

Meet the Expert

Should You Wash Dishes Before Putting Them in The Dishwasher?

The short answer is no.

If the machine works properly, you shouldn’t worry about pre-washing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

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Pre-washing dishes only adds more time to the meal clean-up, costs more money, anduses more waterthan necessary.

Pre-rinsing can trick the dishwasher’s sensor into thinking the dishes are cleaner than they are, he notes.

Avoid putting in items that would bedamaged in the dishwasher.

Otherwise, normal detergents will effectively clean dishes without pre-washing.

Dirty dishes left sitting for long periods can lead to bacteria that could compromise the dishwashers cleanliness and sterilization.

Also, dishwashers need occasional cleaning, especiallythe drainandfilter.

Neglecting this maintenance could result in a clogged drain,unpleasant odors, and ineffective cleaning.

Try usingbaking soda and vinegarand running a cycle.

However, mechanical issues could also be a likely source of improper cleaning.

If you have some handy experience, tackling thedishwasher troubleshootingyourself is possible.

Otherwise, it’s best to call a repair person for unknownleaks, drainage problems, and clogged filters.