Dickson: Is there a right and wrong way to load the dishwasher?

This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom. 

My husband has been telling me for years that there is a right way and a wrong way to load the dishwasher. Turns out, the majority of Americans agree with him. In fact, 65% say there is a right and wrong way to do it. There was even an article about this in the Wall Street Journal because British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said there is a right way to do this.

I have been doing so many things wrong and a few right. I was putting all silverware head down when only the knives should go head down. I put tall glasses on the top when they should go on the bottom. I did not line up the plates correctly. My worst offense was putting big things face down on the bottom, which would block the water from getting to the top shelf.

I noticed these mistakes for the first time about 15 years ago when I realized that my husband had rearranged the dishes in the dishwasher after I loaded them. That’s when it hit me. I’m doing this so wrong! I’ve been doing it wrong for years! Yikes! 

Crowdsourcing the news

So I asked everyone on my Facebook and Instagram to tell me — do you believe there is a right and wrong way to load the dishwasher? This is what some of you said.

 

JoAnn: Yes! My way! I always go behind my husband and redo his loading disaster!

I’m going to tell my husband he’s not alone!

Ric: Let me check with my wife.

Smart guy.

Kimberly: If you want someone to load the dishwasher, there isn’t a correct way to load it. If you want it done your way (correctly) load it yourself.

Wise words.

Anne: Yes — it matters.  However, there are a few different ways to load a dishwasher correctly. So even though you may not be doing it our way, you could still be doing it “right.” That said, there are definitely wrong ways to load a dishwasher. Doing it wrong can lead to broken dishes, overheated dishes and unclean dishes.

I said “Duh!” to myself as I was reading this. So that’s why I find glass on the bottom.

Michael: I’ve had the thought that this would make a really fun science fair project.

Love that idea!

Jason:  I say no, but my wife would say yes. Her way is the right way.

Again — smart!

Margaret to Jason: Your wife is right.

Good support network!

But wait… there’s more

Randy: Just don’t stack the dishes too close. Give it room for water to hit the dishes.

Explore the space.

Elizabeth: I try to imagine how the water flow is going to hit them and load them so they all get hit by the spray.

Makes sense.

Scarlet: It depends on how many times you are willing to wash the same dishes and how susceptible you are to rage cleaning.

Rage cleaning — my new favorite phrase.

Evan: If you’re asking, my dear Amanda, then there is no hope. Call a DWLC . . . (dishwasher loading coach) . . . Geeesh!

I’m married to a DWLC.

Bill: In every partnership there is one partner who stacks the dishwasher like a Scandinavian architect and a partner who stacks the dishwasher like a raccoon on meth. 

I think this makes me the raccoon.

Kathy: Glasses upside down

I get that one right.

Curly: I wish I had a dishwasher to know if there was a right or wrong way!

That puts it in perspective doesn’t it?

Reach out to me on social media with any ideas you have about future topics for my crowdsourcing stories. I’d love to hear from you.

Amanda Dickson is the co-host of Utah’s Morning News and A Woman’s View on KSL NewsRadio. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. 

Follow @amandadickson