Alright, picture this: You’ve just run a full cycle, your dishes are sparkling, and the kitchen smells fresh. You open the dishwasher to grab a plate, and then… what? Do you shut the door right away? Or do you leave it open for a bit?
If you’ve ever debated this (or just shut the door without thinking twice), you’re not alone. Turns out, what you do after running your dishwasher actually matters. Let’s break it down.
To Leave It Open or Not? Here’s the Deal
Short answer? Yes, you should leave it open—at least for a little while.
Why? Because dishwashers, as magical as they are, tend to trap moisture. And where there’s trapped moisture, there’s the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and weird smells to set up camp. Not exactly what you want lingering in your appliance, right?
Leaving the door open, even just a crack, helps everything dry out naturally. It lets out all that steam and prevents your dishwasher from turning into a humid, musty mess.
What Happens If You Keep It Closed?
Let’s say you slam the door shut right after unloading. What’s the worst that could happen?
- Moisture stays trapped – That warm, damp air has nowhere to go.
- Mold & mildew – Over time, that extra moisture can lead to buildup in the crevices.
- Lingering smells – Ever opened your dishwasher and been hit with a weird, stale smell? Yep, that’s what happens when it doesn’t get enough air.
- Rubber seals wear out faster – Constant exposure to moisture can break down the door gasket, leading to leaks or a weaker seal.
Basically, it’s like stuffing wet laundry into a hamper and closing the lid—you could do it, but it’s not gonna smell great later.
The Best Way to Air It Out
So, how long should you leave the door open? No need to keep it hanging wide open all day—just cracking it for 30-60 minutes after a wash is enough to let out excess moisture. If you’re in a rush, wiping down the interior with a dry cloth can speed things up.
For extra airflow, some dishwashers even have an auto-open drying feature that pops the door open at the end of the cycle. If yours has that, lucky you!
The Bottom Line
If you want your dishwasher to stay fresh, mold-free, and working like a champ for years to come, give it a little breathing room after each cycle. A simple habit that takes zero effort but makes a big difference.
So, next time you unload your dishes, go ahead—leave the door open for a bit. Your future self (and your dishwasher) will thank you!
Got any other dishwasher habits you swear by? Share ‘em