If you’re a proud owner of a dishwasher in your house or apartment, then obviously, you would want to make sure it’s always performing at its peak.
From the right way to load your dishwasher, to the simplest way to banish stinky smells, to some other surprising facts, here are 10 things every dishwasher-owner should know.
1. Save $$$ by running your dishwasher at night.
There are several reasons to run your dishwasher at night. In some areas, electricity is cheaper at off-peak hours, and you’re also adding humidity back into your kitchen overnight.
2. It’s more water-efficient to use a dishwasher than to wash dishes by hand.
For the most part, you’ll save water by washing dishes in the dishwasher rather than washing them by hand. This is especially true if you’re using a highly efficient model of dishwasher. So don’t feel bad about running that machine — you’re doing a good thing!
3. Rinse Produce!
The next time you bring a large amount of fruits and veggies home from the store or farmer’s market, don’t waste your time cleaning each individual piece. Rinse them in the dishwasher instead. Put more fragile items such as tomatoes and peaches on the top rack, and toss studier produce like potatoes and cantaloupes on the bottom rack. Set your dishwasher to cold and then run a rinse cycle—no detergent necessary.
4. Rusty racks? Cover them with dishwasher rack caps.
A small, smart fix for cheap dishwasher racks that are worn down and rusty.
5. If your dishwasher is running badly, you can fix it.
I didn’t realize until embarrassingly late in life that you can easily take a dishwasher apart and clean it until it runs better.
6. White vinegar is the magic fix to a stinky dishwasher and dull dishes.
Dishes looking dull and streaky? Dishwasher smelling a little funky? Run with a capful of white vinegar to restore everything.
Rusty Dishwasher Rack? Try Dishwasher Rack Caps
7. Clean Makeup Brushes.
Don’t waste time trying to get all of the built-up product out of your makeup brushes by hand. Instead, place them in the silverware caddy or tray of your dishwasher about once a month to remove dried gunk. This method also works for nail clippers, hairbrushes, and combs.
8. Dry Hand Washed Dishes
If you’re hand-washing dishes, there’s no need for the stack of clean plates to clutter up your kitchen afterward. Leave them in the empty dishwasher to air dry.
9. Disinfect Stuff / Baby Teething Toys
From kids’ bacteria-covered blocks and plastic figurines to your pets’ slobber-covered chew toys, the dishwasher is great for de-germing playthings. Place larger toys on the bottom rack, medium-sized toys on the top rack, and small toys in the silverware basket. To avoid any heartbreaking accidents, make sure to use a light wash cycle and avoid the heated dry option, which could melt plastic toys.
10. Contain Cooking Spray Mess
The next time you need to coat a baking dish with aerosol cooking spray, use your dishwasher door as a shield. Open your dishwasher door completely and hold the dish above it as you spray, and the inevitable over-spray will end up on the door instead of all over your kitchen. The inside of the door will get a thorough wash the next time you do dishes, so there’s no need to wipe up the mess. (But make sure that the dishes inside are dirty, or you’ll end up getting oil all over your clean plates.) The same trick also works for measuring out messy powdered ingredients like flour.
Bosch 500 Series
At the end of the day, if your dishwasher can use an upgrade, or if you’re in the market for one we highly recommend checking out Bosch Home AutoAir™ Bosch 500 Series! It utilizes the AutoAir™ technology and automatically opens the door at the end of the drying cycle to let moisture escape and fresh air circulate for better drying results.*
24” width
There’s room for up to 16 place settings. Plus, 5 wash cycles including five-level wash, 5 options like Extra Dry, and a concealed heating element.
Flexible 3rd rack
Accommodate the odd one out. Adding the 3rd rack with its adjustable tines can create the right fit for deep, tall, or uniquely-shaped items.
EasyGlide™ rack
Load and unload smoothly. It’s easy to adjust and move the racks, even while they’re full of dishes.
RackMatic®
Fit it all, every time. With 3 different height levels and up to 9 possible rack positions, you can customize each load for your needs.
24/7 Aquastop®
Protect your floors. This 4-part leak prevention system uses sensors to detect and stop leaks, and can even turn on by itself.
44-dBA noise level rating
Wash dishes in peace. Bosch dishwashers are so quiet, you have to check the exterior Infolight® to know they’re on.
Disclaimer: *Compared to Bosch Dishwashers with PureDry.

Kelly martin
September 3, 2019These are great tips. I’ve never thought of washing produce in the dishwasher!
Emman Damian
September 3, 2019BOSCH HOME AUTOAIR™ BOSCH 500 SERIES seems like a good addition to my kitchen! I hope I can purchase one!
Subhashish Roy
September 3, 2019Very informative article. We in our family are a great fan of Bosch products because they are very reliable and their servicing is world class truly.
Sundeep
September 3, 2019I will definitely look to check out this dishwasher. They are looking promising.
Marcos k.
September 3, 2019I do not know a lot about dishwashers, but this one sure looks really nice and the hidden buttons help with the looks.
Brianne Tursi Manz
September 3, 2019This dish washer sounds like it’s heaven-sent! All of the amenities, like how quiet it is, is very appealing. Believe me; if you live in an apartment complex, and are allowed to provide your own appliances, that is one thing your neighbors will appreciate!
Crickette, The Things I Have to Say
September 3, 2019Dishwashers aren’t really a thing here in the Philippines. I don’t know why though, but I’ve always loved using dishwashers when Im in the US visiting family, and I found it pretty convenient and straightforward when I was living in the UK a few years back.
Adriana
September 3, 2019You have a beautiful kitchen. I love how sleek this dishwasher is and I heard great things about autoair technology
Emily Fata
September 3, 2019I always run my dishwasher (and laundry machine and dryer, too) overnight. It’s a great way to save money easily, and avoid jacked up hydro costs during the day.
Mellissa Williams
September 3, 2019I’ve never thought about the benefits of running a dishwasher at night before. I like the look of this integrated dishwasher. It looks super smart in your kitchen and its great that is is quiet too
Samantha
September 3, 2019I had no idea you can save money by running your dishwasher at night!
I bought my little tabletop dishwasher years ago and was worried recently that it had started to break (it wasn’t cleaning dishes properly). My mum took it apart and cleaned it and now it’s good as new!
Rosey
September 3, 2019I had a dishwasher for years and never used it. Now that I use it all the time, I wonder what in the world I was thinking back then?? 🙂
Kristine Nicole Alessandra
September 3, 2019These are great tips. I like the one about the cooking spray using the dishwasher door as a shield. I will have to remember that the next time I need to use cooking spray.
Rebecca Smith
September 3, 2019Such a helpful post. We don’t actually have a dishwasher at the moment but are thinking about getting one.
Elizabeth Williams
September 3, 2019I’ve never had a dishwasher but would love to have one so I don’t have to wash by hand anymore plus it would be good being more water efficient.
twinspirational
September 3, 2019Thanks for the review..! I haven’t tried using a dishwasher but I find it so convenient especially when you’re too busy working with some other stuff.
Samar
September 3, 2019Flexible 3rd rack is really important.
Completely agreed.
Geraline Batarra
September 4, 2019This is so convenient.. I love using dishwasher and I’m open for trying other brands. I think this one would be so good.
Melanie williams
September 4, 2019Really handy guide for anyone with this washer. I am sure many people will thank you for this for sure xx
Sushmita
September 4, 2019I use GE dishwasher nowadays and it’s pretty good. Thank for sharing your detailed experience!
Maartje van Sandwijk
September 4, 2019Great information for people that own a dishwasher. I definitely didn’t know it was more energy efficient to run it at night…
Anna
September 4, 2019It´s a great tip to run dishwasher at night! I had no idea about adding humidity back into kitchen overnight!
Dalene Ekirapa
September 4, 2019Thanks for the heads-up! I never knew that I could actually wash makeup brushes in the dishwasher! And I can agree that white vinegar is just a kitchen must-have when it comes to cleaning. It really does wonders in the kitchen and I’m always using it for appliances around the kitchen.
Olivia Jade
September 4, 2019I didn’t even consider using a dishwasher to clean fruit and vegetables… Mind is blown. I really wish I owned one :O x
Rupy
September 5, 2019I do not use a dishwasher because don does not know much about it. Thanks for this informative article.
Elicit Folio
September 5, 2019This was a super helpful article since I am looking for a new dishwasher! It looks like this series has a lot of advance features, and would last a long time. I will look more into this model! Thanks!
Playdays and Runways
September 5, 2019I have never had a dishwasher but I would love one. It would save so much time
Jayashree Sengupta
September 5, 2019Sounds efficient and effective too. Would definitely give it a try if possible
Cherishingflo
September 5, 2019Tip number six was EVERYTHING. I know I have been needing to do something about my dishwasher and I also need to clean it. Love this!
Laura
September 7, 2019Love my dishwasher it makes life so much easier and now the kids are old enough they do all the stacking and emptying too.