Do you rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
By Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
United States
August 31, 2011 9:48pm CST
My husband insists on thoroughly rinsing the dishes before we put them in the dishwasher because he believes they won't get clean otherwise. But I think that is a waste of time, money, and water. Unless there is some super-stuck-on food, I usually don't rinse the dishes or just do a cursory job. I feel that if you are going to rinse everything off the dishes anyway, why bother using the dishwasher? Why not just wash them by hand--it wouldn't take much more time. And I also think that if your dishwasher can't get the unwashed dishes clean, there is something wrong with it and it needs to be fixed. What do you think? Do you rinse the dishes, or just throw them in the dishwasher?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Maybe you need a new dishwasher? Mine usually come out sparkly clean even if I don't rinse them (hence why the need?) but we just got a new dishwasher. Of course, every once in awhile something stays stuck on, and my husband says. . .I told you so!
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
2 Sep 11
i never use a dishwasher and always prefer to wash my dishes by hands as i feel that it is cleaner and save water as well... :-) take care and have a nice day...
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
It probably does save water to wash them by hand (if you don't keep the water running, but I'm not sure about being cleaner. The dishwasher water is so much hotter than I could possibly stand washing them by hand, so I feel like the dishes get sterilized much better in the dishwasher. But I know lots of people who prefer to wash them by hand. You have a great day, too!
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
See, that's why I think my husband still rinses all of the dishes, because the older models probably required it. I think it's just a habit he never outgrew!
@mindym (978)
• United States
1 Sep 11
Yes, I usually rinse my dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher. It's just a habit I got into a long time ago that has stuck with me. It might be psychological, but I feel like the dishes come out cleaner if I rinse them first. I do not use my dishwasher that often because I do not accumulate that many dishes, so 99% of the time I am the dishwasher. But if I am at a relatives house or someone else's place and I am putting my dishes in the dishwasher, I will rinse them off first. I think that if the dishwasher is too full, then the dishes are not going to come out as clean as if there weren't as many dishes. Or there could be something wrong with your dishwasher.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
A vote for my husband! I think it's a habit from a long time ago for him, too. I also agree that if you load it improperly, or make it too full, then the dishes may not get clean whether you rinse them or not, so I try not to do either of those dishwasher faux pas. . .
@lou_is (665)
• India
1 Sep 11
Yup that's true. Once you use the plate and if you didn't rinse and keep the dish as it is and after some time when you will wash it then it is difficult for you to wash if you wash it then also there will be stains which may not get washed clearly. For that reason after using dishes its better to rinse and then keep it in the dishwasher which helps the person who washes it later.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
But if you are already scrubbing them, then why bother putting them in the dishwasher at all? Sounds like you have already gotten them clean!
@allknowing (153530)
• India
2 Sep 11
I have been looking around for answers myself and I am so glad you put up this topic. I have bee toying with the idea of getting a dish washer but was not sure if it did what it is supposed to do. Reading through responses here I am a bit disappointed in that if dish washers out there do not do their job what can I expect from dish washers which are available here India. If one has to rinse and then put them for the 'high and mighty' dish washer to do its job then it is a no no for me.
@Dominique25 (9460)
• United States
1 Sep 11
I unfortunately don't have a dishwasher :(. But if I did i think i would be like your husband when I have a little extra time.I've used a dishwasher before. I feel the same as he does. I don't think the dishwasher gets the dishes clean all the way. I completely understand where you are coming from. And that makes sense. I guess it's probably just a little thing that would bother me, to make sure that all the dishes are just rinsed. I don't think I would do this all the time though. There would be days that i would just stick them in there. I'm looking forward to the time when my husband buys me one.:)
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Sounds reasonable! I hope you get a dishwasher soon! Definitely not as important as a clothes washer, but a huge time-saver, so definitely worth getting one.
