Should you pre-wash dishes before putting in the dishwasher? The answer might surprise you!
I am a member of the Cascade Kitchen Dish Council. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Last month, after attending a brand event with Cascade, I shared a post explaining how to load the dishwasher to ensure you get the best clean possible. I learned that placing dishes in the dishwasher correctly can greatly impact how well your dishes look at the end of a wash cycle.
But what I also learned while I was there, will probably shock you, just like it shocked me. In a recent survey done by Marie Claire amongst a random sample of 976 Marie Claire Velvet Rope Club reader panel members, they found that nearly all people are doing their dishes incorrectly with 96-percent wasting up to an hour pre-washing their dishes each week.
Should You Pre-Wash Dishes
So the question “to pre-wash or not to pre-wash,” has been answered — do not pre-wash your dishes wasting valuable time and resources before placing them into the dishwasher.
The survey also found that:
- Nearly half (46%) of survey respondents believe that skipping the pre-wash will lead to dirtier dishes. When in reality, breaking this habit – and skipping pre-wash – along with using Cascade Platinum, will help them achieve the ultimate clean and sparkle every time.
- Two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents organize their dishwashers just like their closets – with everything stacked in its rightful spot.
- Almost half (42%) of respondents have actually gone so far as to re-load the dishwasher after their family goes to bed because they did not think their family member(s) did it right the first time.
- More than half (56%) of respondents load their dishwashers after each meal.
- The majority of survey respondents (57%) cringe at the thought of hosting a party because of spotted wine glasses.
- So if people stop pre-washing, how would they spend all that time they’ve saved? Almost half of those surveyed (46%) said they’d spend it shopping on line.
Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes completely, but when we don’t load the dishwasher correctly, or pre-wash the dishes, we are doing ourselves a huge disservice and actually causing the dishwasher to not work at its full capacity. There are little parts within the dishwasher itself that gauge how dirty the water is, which in turn tells the dishwasher how hard to work. If you’ve pre-washed the dishes, you’ve taken off the bits and pieces the dishwasher needs to see in order provide the ultimate clean.
Since I’ve been loading my dishwasher correctly and skipping the pre-wash, my dishes are coming out clean and I’m not threatening my husband with throwing the dishwasher out the window. I’m happy, I have more time with my family, and I’m not wasting water with the pre-wash.
So next time you’re wondering should you pre-wash dishes before placing them into the dishwasher, just say no. Always just say no!
What are your thoughts about the findings of the survey?
HilLesha says
Cascade is such a wonderful brand! It’s about the only brand that I’ll use.
Crystal Green says
This is quite an impressive set of statics. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. When I had a dish washer I always felt like I had to pre-wash them. At least now I know that when I get my new dish washer that I don’t have to take the time to do it again.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
Does this mean that you shouldn’t prewash them in the sink or that you shouldn’t use the prewash setting on your dishwasher? I have a habit of washing them before I put in them in the dishwasher which is what the dishwasher is supposed to do. I need to go look at your loading post. My husband always overloads and half of the dishes end up still dirty. I never say anything though because I’m just grateful he will do dishes. 🙂
Robin Gagnon says
Prewashing is for chumps who don’t use Cascade…lol
Nina Say says
I used to religiously pre-wash my dishes. But thankfully I don’t anymore, and I did recently switch to Cascade and saw a huge difference from the other brand I was using.
I am one of those people who will reorganize the dishwasher if it looks like my husband did it wrong.
Chrysa says
I have a hard time breaking myself of the habit of pre-washing. I have heard this before, that it’s better not to, but it is such a habit!
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
I am a big prewasher! I just can’t break the habit!
Tammy says
I’m not surprised about the results, but was surprised that pre-washing actually hurts you when you use the dishwasher! I’ve never pre-washed my dishes before loading them and putting the dishwasher on but that’s just because I’m lazy, lol!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
I always pre-wash. Not sure my current detergent would work this well. I think I need to grab some Cascade Platinum next time I go shopping.
Michelle says
I do not pre-wash! Why? Because I use Cascade! It’s the only brand I use! And yes, if my husband loads the dishwasher, I usually rearrange it after! lol
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I always pre-wash because when I don’t I still see dried up food on the dishes and I use Finish which I think is one of the best dish washing soaps on the market.
Kimberly Grabinski says
I never prewash and people think i am crazy when they see what I put in my dishwasher. It all comes clean though!
Raijean says
It’s such a habit, I’m going to try to stop and pre-wash it.
LyndaS says
If I don’t prewash, I will have food “baked” on my dishes in the dishwasher. It’s time for a new machine.
Janell Poulette says
I never prewash because I am lazy 🙂 But now I am glad to know that I dont’ have to prewash because it’s better for my dishwasher!
Jesica H says
Drives me batty that my husband pre-washes. I’ve even shown him he doesn’t need to and he still does. ;(
Colleen says
I agree no pre-wash my husband totally disagrees!
Donna says
We have an old dishwasher, but it is a great one, so if I use Cascade I do not have to pre-wash.
Theresa Gould @ Faith and Family Reviews says
I didn’t know that! I’ll have to tell my family. I do re-load the dishwasher after my kids, or have them do it : ). This time properly.
Liz Mays says
It’s going to be a hard habit to break, but I’ll try! I like the idea of not pre-rinsing though.
Ty says
I almost never prewash my dishes. Seriously, who has time for that, lol?
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
I rinse my dishes before the dish washer as I don’t want tons of food and gunk in my dish washer.
Jenn says
It’s hard to not pre-wash, it’s such a habit!
Marcie W. says
I always make it a point to get all of the loose food and mess off the dishes right after they are used (I am one of those who load after each meal) to avoid any stuck on grime. This keeps pre-washing to a minimum and still ensures our dishes are clean.