Let’s be honest—loading a dishwasher might seem like the easiest chore ever. Just throw everything in, press a button, and walk away, right? Well… not exactly. If you’ve ever pulled out your cutlery only to find water spots, food bits, or a weird film, chances are you’re not loading the cutlery basket the right way.
But don’t worry! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best way to load your dishwasher’s cutlery basket so you can say goodbye to dirty spoons and streaky forks forever.
1. Handles Up or Down? The Eternal Debate
Ah, the age-old question: should cutlery go in handles up or handles down? The answer is… both (sort of).
- Forks and spoons: Handles down. This way, the dirty parts get full exposure to water and detergent.
- Knives: Handles up! This prevents accidental cuts when unloading. (No one wants to battle a rogue steak knife.)
Pro tip: If your dishwasher has a separate silverware rack, you might not even need the basket! Check your manual to see the best way to use it.
2. Don’t Let Your Spoons “Spoon” Each Other
Ever pulled out a spoon only to find it still covered in yesterday’s spaghetti sauce? That’s because spoons love to cuddle—and that’s bad for cleaning.
How to fix it?
Mix them up! Alternate between forks, spoons, and knives in each compartment so they don’t stick together and block water flow.
3. Spread It Out – No Overcrowding!
Cramming every single piece of cutlery you own into one tiny space won’t get you the results you want. If your utensils are too close together, water won’t reach every surface properly.
Instead, spread them out evenly across the basket for the best cleaning performance.
4. Watch Out for Small Items
Tiny things like measuring spoons, baby forks, or corn holders might slip through the holes of your basket and get stuck in the bottom of the dishwasher. Not fun.
Solution? Put small items in a dishwasher-safe container or lay them flat on the top rack.
5. Don’t Put Sharp Knives in the Dishwasher
I get it—tossing everything in the dishwasher is tempting, but sharp knives should always be washed by hand. The high heat and detergent can dull the blades over time. If you love your fancy chef’s knife, keep it out of the dishwasher!
6. Follow Your Dishwasher’s Design
Some dishwashers have specialized slots or racks for cutlery. If yours does, use them! They’re designed to keep utensils separate, preventing nesting and ensuring a thorough clean.
7. Always Unload the Cutlery Basket Last
Ever unloaded your plates first, only to have drops of water from your cutlery splash onto them? Yep, it happens.
The fix? Unload cutlery last. That way, any water left on the utensils won’t drip onto your nice, clean dishes.
Final Thoughts: A Few Extra Pro Tips
✅ Rinse off big food chunks before loading – but don’t overdo it! Dishwashers work best when they have a little food residue to cling to.
✅ Use a good-quality detergent for the best cleaning results.
✅ Run the dishwasher when it’s full to save energy and water.
By following these simple tips, you’ll get sparkling clean cutlery every time—no more rewashing or digging out stuck-on food.