The Way You're Loading Your Dishwasher Is Probably Why Dishes Come Out Dirty

It's not the machine and it's not the detergent, it's one layout mistake almost everyone makes.

If you're constantly re-washing plates by hand after a full cycle, you might be tempted to blame the dishwasher. But the real problem is usually how everything is packed inside.

Dishwashers clean by spraying water up and around, which means dirty surfaces have to face the spray. Nesting bowls together, stacking flat pans against the wall, and overcrowding the racks all block the water from reaching the mess.

The pros angle dishes downward toward the center, keep tall items on the sides so they don't shadow the spray arm, and never let the arms get jammed by an oversized pot.

Load with a little breathing room, put the crusty side facing the water, and scrape but don't pre-rinse. Suddenly the machine you thought was broken works like new.