Most People Make This Common Dishwasher Mistake—and It’s a Health Hazard originally appeared on Parade.
One of your top goals when eating is to fill your tummy in a way that feels (and tastes) good. However, what you do after eating can affect the way food goes down the next time, and certain dishwashing habits can have harmful effects.
“When dishes are not cleaned properly, leftover food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and fungi,” saysDr. Shanina Knighton, Ph.D., RN, a research associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. “Food is a living thing. When it sits on a plate, especially in warm or damp conditions, it can grow harmful microorganisms that can make you sick.”
She adds that these microorganisms include things like Salmonella or mold spores, which can trigger stomach bugs, infections and breathing issues if they build up. However, experts warn that people often make a common dishwasher mistake that can be hazardous to their health. Ironically? They usually take this step to clean their plates.
What is it? Let’s just say that the dirty truth might leave a bad taste in your mouth now, but you’ll thank our experts for it later.
Related: Here’s How Often You Should Actually Replace Your Shower Curtain, According to Microbiologists
This Common Dishwasher Habit Is a Surprising Mistake, Food Safety Experts Reveal
Food safety experts are begging people to stop pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. “While pre-rinsing may help remove stubborn food debris, it has several unintended consequences,” says Dr. Don Thushara Galbadage, Ph.D., MPH, an associate professor at Texas Christian University, whose specialties include microbiology and epidemiology. “Pre-rinsing dishes spreads bacteria-laden droplets across kitchen sinks, countertops and sponges.”
Dr. Galbadage adds that pre-rinsing dishes also increases the risk of cross-contamination, particularly if hands or utensils aren’t cleaned after handling food residue. Not for nothing, Dr. Galbadage notes that taking this unnecessary step wastes time and water. The excessive water use isn’t great for the environment or your energy bills, and the time suck isn’t great for your energy levels or mental load.
Yet, food safety experts emphasize with people who think pre-rinsing dishes, saying they aren’t intentionally causing harm. They’re just trying their best to get squeaky-clean, safe dishes. Once upon a time, a pre-rinse was considered the way to do it.
“Anyone who remembers the dishwashers of the 1970s and 1980s is very familiar with pre-rinsing dishes because it was the only way to get them clean,” recalls Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, the director of infection prevention at the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. “Modern dishwashers are much better at their job and need much less help to do it.”
Believe it or not, pre-rinsing dishes can mess with these welcome modern advances in dishwasher efficiency and effectiveness.
“Pre-rinsing actually hinders the performance of the dishwasher,” explains Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist, food industry consultant, and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting. “Modern dishwashers are usually designed with sensors that detect the turbidity or cloudiness of the water used during pre-cycle.”
He says this cloudiness is caused by loose dirt and food bits on the dishes, which helps the dishwasher determine the length and intensity of the wash cycle.
Thus, when dishes appear clean due to pre-rinsing, this results in less intense or short cycle, leading to ineffective cleaning.
Related: The Gross Reason You Should Never, Ever Do This One Thing on Planes
What To Do Instead of Pre-Rinsing Dishes
Pre-rinsing dishes is a health hazard because it can spread bacteria around and increase the odds of cross-contamination. Instead of pre-rinsing dishes, food safety experts recommend taking the following steps to ensure you earn a spot in the “Clean Plate (and Spoon, Cup and Bowl…) Club”:
-
Scrape off food particles into a trash bin or compost using a utensil. “The fastest and most efficient way to prep dishes is to scrape off any food particles larger than a grain of rice,” Dr. Yancey says.
-
Load dishes into the dishwasher promptly. Dr. Galbadage says getting a move on will help prevent food from sticking.
-
Load the dishwasher correctly. Dr. Knighton notes that it’s essential to be intentional about where you put items. “Always face the dirty sides of dishes toward the center where the spray arms are located,” she says. “Do not nest utensils together. Alternate the direction of spoons and forks so water can reach them all.” Large items, such as cutting boards, are best placed on the side where they can’t block water flow from the spray arms, and keep cups facing down. Finally, don’t overcrowd racks.
-
Chill. You’ve done the work. “The dishwasher will do the rest,” Dr. Yancey promises.
OK, but is there ever a situation where you should add “pre-rinsing dishes” to this step-by-step?
“Not really,” Dr. Knighton reports. “The only time a light rinse might help is if you are not planning to run the dishwasher for several hours and do not want the food to harden. Even then, soaking is often a better option than rinsing.”
Up Next:
Related: Wait, How Long Does Deli Meat Really Last?
Sources:
-
Dr. Shanina Knighton, Ph.D., RN, a research associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University
-
Dr. Don Thushara Galbadage, Ph.D., MPH, an associate professor at Texas Christian University, whose specialties include microbiology and epidemiology
-
Start Saving. Environmental Protection Agency.
-
Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, the director of infection prevention at the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston
-
Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist, food industry consultant and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting
Most People Make This Common Dishwasher Mistake—and It’s a Health Hazard first appeared on Parade on Aug 2, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
