How to Properly Load a Dishwasher

Loading a dishwasher is not as hard as it may appear. However, there a few things to remember so that your dishes come out of the washer clean in an instant!
Steps
1. Scrape all food from the dishes, utensils, pots, and pans.
2. Optional: (Not all dishwashers require that dishes be rinsed before loading, but it will always assure the dishes are clean) Rinse the dishes, utensils, pots, and pans in soapy warm water before putting in the dishwasher. Use a scrub brush when necessary to remove stuck on food.
3. Insert the plates into the slots in the bottom section of the dish washer.
4. Place the cups, glasses, and bowls in the top section of the dishwasher. Stack the bowls neatly on an incline (so that the washing solution can reach inside the bowl and that they will drain) in the designated slots. Assure breakables are not touching as the dishes vibrate throughout the washing cycles.
5. Place tupperware and other plastic items on the top rack.
6. Place the various pots and pans open-side down in the bottom section of the dishwasher.
7. Place utensils with handles down in the utensil baskets in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Larger serving utensils can be laid horizontally across the top section of the dishwasher. Sharp knives are often dulled by the washing cycle by rubbing against other items.
8. Fill the soap container on the bottom section of the dishwasher with powdered dishwashing detergent. Fill to the designated line.
9. If your dishwasher has a feature for a rinse agent such as "Jet-Dry" or vinegar, fill with rinse agent to designated line. This greatly reduced water spots.
10. Close the door to the dishwasher and start, using the instructions for your particular dishwasher.
Tips
1. Place similar-sized dishware near each other for easy unloading.
2. Some pots and pans may have crusty, hard-to-remove food stuck on them. Fills these with warm soap water and let them soak before placing in the dishwasher.
3. Cutting boards can be placed on the very outside of the bottom section of the dishwasher if they will not fit in the slots designated for plates.
4. Serving spoons should be laid upside down so that water does not collect in the curve of the spoon during drying.
5. Make sure to put different kinds of utensils together in the utensil baskets. This makes for better cleaning.
Warnings
1. Do not place items larger than the height of the bottom section into the dishwasher. This will cause difficulties in opening the dishwasher when the washing is finished.
2. Do not fill the soap container past the designated line.
3. Only use dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher. Do not use dishwashing liquid.
4. Wine glasses usually are hand-washed - if you do put them in the dishwasher, be sure they are placed so that they cannot rattle against other dishes or glass, as they tend to break.
5. Wood items should be hand-washed.
6. Make sure knife tips and fork tines are pointed down.