We all treat the dishwasher like the polite guest in our kitchen: “Just toss it in, it’ll handle the rest, thanks.” But here’s the reality: if your clean dishes are coming out cloudy, spotty or still a little grimy, the problem isn’t your plates, it’s your process.

Loading wrong is surprisingly common. Talk to a professional and they’ll tell you that blocking spray arms with oversized dishes, pre‑rinsing every plate or letting filters clog can all mean your machine stops doing its one job well.

Here’s your cheat sheet to stop making the dishwasher your dumping ground:

Consider this your official nudge: treat the dishwasher like your appliance, not just your shortcut. Because if that isn’t running right, your dishes won’t be either.

Check out more on cleaning your dishwasher before the big Thanksgiving load:

Did someone forward this email to you? You can sign up to receive The Selection every week here.

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION | UNSUBSCRIBE  | PRIVACY | CONTACT

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this newsletter are those of the NBC Select editorial staff's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.