Here’s the Correct Way to Load Silverware in the Dishwasher

Everyone has an opinion on the best method for loading the dishwasher. Some toss things in willy-nilly while others are methodical. To each their own, but when it comes to silverware, there is a right way to load it.

From handle direction to how you organize the silverware, there are some key dishwasher-loading rules to follow.

The biggest rule? You should load both spoons and forks with their handles pointing downwards. This way, the prongs of the forks and the “scoop” of the spoon won’t get stuck together in the bottom of the basket. Additionally, this loading method will allow utensils to have the greatest exposure to the sanitization process.

As for knives, load them with the handles facing upwards and the blade facing down. This is for safety reasons. When you load knives this way, you won’t need to worry about accidentally grabbing a sharp, pointy blade when it’s time to unload.

Finally, don’t load your spoons, forks, and knives in the same compartments. Instead, mix them up. This will prevent them from nesting together and preventing items from getting fully clean.

If you’ve noticed your silverware not getting as clean, it might be your loading method, or it might be time to give your dishwasher a thorough cleaning.