dishwasher virgin....question

ImThisBabysMom

So new house has a dishwasher. We've never had one and neither did our parents. H didn't buy soap for it like I asked. He said we can use our liquid Dawn. But I'm not sure thats true. I thought you had to buy those packet things i see on tv. The owners didn't leave a manual. Any advice?

Tambcat

nooo don't use the same stuff you use for handwashing. You can buy liquid dishwasher detergent, but it's different.

bbflynyc

Yes, I did this once cos I was out of dishwasher packets and soap bubbles flooded everywhere.  

ImThisBabysMom

Thank you ladies. Now I can be all "I told you so" LOL

starshollow

If you put regular soap in it, your kitchen will be filled with bubbles!  You should totally let H do this.  Dish soap is meant to foam a lot.  It won't do damage, but it will be a pain to clean.

We use whatever is on sale for the most part, but the little packs are really convenient.  Or you can buy the gel meant for dishwashers and fill the spot meant for  it.

 

gisa886

Pictures? 

AshleyC0117

Tambcat:

nooo don't use the same stuff you use for handwashing. You can buy liquid dishwasher detergent, but it's different.

This! Don't do it! I say buy the little pods because they're easier. And I can't believe you've survived without a dishwasher! Not having one for 2 years in our old apartment almost caused the end of me and DH's relationship haha 

ImThisBabysMom

H didn't put soap in it. I told him no until I could check it out. Yeah I've always hand washed for about 7 years we've lived together. I grew up that way so for me, it was normal.

Browneyedhunni85

Do not use liquid dishwash. You have to buy the detergent for dishwashers. I once made the mistake of putting regular detergent in my aunts diswasher and it was a soapy mess. I never grew up with a dishwasher either so I didn't know it was a no no.

Bonidiebabe

I'm gonna take this a step further and give you some pointers since I believe there is an art to loading a DW. (since you were so kind to give me those BJ pointers )

Always put tupperware and plastics on the top rack if you can. Sometimes the bottom rack will warp those things. Some people claim you can just throw the crap in there and it will come clean. I always like to rinse my dishes. At least get the big chunks cuz who wants to pick that shizz out of the bottom later. Dried on eggs most likely will not come off.

 Use jet dry. If I don't than the dishes come out looking dirtier after than when they went in. My number one DW rule is do not overload. Dh loves to do this and it defeats the whole purpose cuz nothing comes out clean. Be conscious of how high the item are you put on the bottim rack. You want to be sure that if your model has the separate spinner underneath the top rack (which most do) that it is able to spin.

DW101 you did not ask for. Your welcome.

mumegs

You don't need to buy the little packets but you do need dishwasher soap of some kind, not regular dish soap.

katieh1017

You got some good tips and I will second the rinsing of dishes before putting them in. Things like peanut butter on a knife don't come off all the way, at least in mine. I have had several things plastic warp on the bottom rack, so I second the the tip of using the top rack. I love the cascade pod pack things. The liquid is cheaper but I always got tons of spots until I changed to the pods. I love my dishwasher!  

melissaannbutz

Also another tip every couple months or so run your dishwasher without anything except a cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack.  Use the hottest water setting and let it run through the entire cycle.  After you've done that sprinkle some baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher and again use the hottest water available and run it through a short cycle.

The vinegar will sanitize and get rid of some of the greasy, grimy reside that can start to build up otherwise.  The baking soda will leave it smelling nice and fresh.  We have very hard water where we live, even with a water softener after a few months the sides of the dishwasher start to get gritty and the dishes don't come out as clean.  Doing this really helps!

ImThisBabysMom

Thank you last 3 posters for the additional tips too. I'm already a spaz about rinsing everything. If I know it eont get washed right away, i rinse it all off.