Cleaning > DishesOctober 15, 2010
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Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

I have recently realized how to make fast work of putting away my silverware from the dishwasher basket when the dishes are done. That seems to be the most laborious part of the chore. All the spoons, knives, and forks were all mixed up in all the different compartments of the silverware basket. Not to mention all the serving spoons and spatulas too. Wow! I was consistently rearranging silverware when I took them out of the dishwasher. It took me forever to get them reorganized and put away. Well, it takes me about ten seconds flat to put them away now. How?

Well, it dawned on me one day that since I have six small compartments and one big compartment in the dishwasher basket that holds my silverware and I have just as many compartments as I do the number of different types of silverware. I experimented one day and put all the same types of silverware in it's own individual compartment. For example, I put all the small spoons in one compartment, all the big spoons in another, all the butter knives in one, and all the forks in another, and, well you get the picture. I put all the serving spoons and other things likes spatulas that go into the container that sits on my kitchen counter top in the biggest compartment.

Now, when the dishes are done, all I have to do is grab all the items from one compartment all at one time, and put them in the corresponding spot in the kitchen drawer. And I only have to do this once. Rather then keep going back and forth and doing it over and over until the dishwasher basket is empty. Whew! Boy, talk about a time saver, and making life easier!

I also always face them in the same direction too. Fork prongs face down, and so forth. Otherwise if I have to rearrange them, that would only defeat the purpose. Right? Try it, you'll see what I mean.

By marianneryan23 from Des Moines, IA

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By
10/23/2010

My dishwasher company said not to do this. The reason is because if you have all spoons in one holder they could nestle together and not get as clean as they should. I separate all my silverware. When my dishwasher has finished then I take all my silverware and lay them on a towel and then I can pick up all my spoons, all my forks and so forth and put up. This don't take much time.

By
10/16/2010

My dishwasher instructions also say not to do this, the nesting of the silverware does not make clean silverware. My silverware basket for my dishwasher has 4 regular sections and one larger sections. I always put sharp knives point down, I put dinner knives point down too. Spoons and forks up. I mix them with each other. Takes about 15 seconds to empty it, lifts out and I set in on the counter in front of the drawer they go in.

By
10/16/2010

I have been trying to get people to do this for so long! It makes things so very simple. If you put the handles down tho', it does let the water get to the "eating" part easier. I find no "re-do's" when I use this method.
Work Smarter not Harder!
PBP

By
10/16/2010

My dishwasher instructs not to do this! As the silver ware can nestle together and not come as clean. It also says to put the handles down.

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(Archived Oct 15, 2010)Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

Tip: Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

When you put your silverware into your dishwasher, try grouping it in each compartment by the type. That way you can take out a section at a time and put all the spoons away together, and the same for forks and knives as well. Makes emptying the dishwasher go a lot faster!

By Robin from Washington, IA

Feedback:

RE: Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

I almost never do this, as spoons and forks have a nasty way of "nesting" and then they come out dirty with food stuck between them. I have taught the kids to separate them well so that this doesn't happen. (05/24/2006)

By susabelle

RE: Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

I once thought that would make my life easier but NO, it is not easier. They nest just as Susabelle said. (05/24/2006)

By meoowmom

RE: Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

I agree about the nesting. In fact, most articles and your dishwasher handbook will tell you to be careful of this. When we load silverware, we just go down the rows - putting a fork in each one, then a spoon, then a knife (you get the picture). That way, they are staggered and have a better chance for the water to get to them for cleaning. (05/24/2006)

By ccarnow

RE: Grouping Silverware in the Dishwasher

putting the spoons together can sometimes cause problems when the spoons stick together (07/01/2006)

By wyoKrista

Nesting Spoons

I'm sorry but I don't believe in this theory of "nesting" spoons. I believe that the force of the washing thingymebob keeps them spoons from staying stagnant in the silverware dishwasher tray thingy. (09/29/2006)

By Allen

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