1. Don't block the spray arms.
In order for your dishwasher's water spray to work most efficiently, you'll need to load the machine strategically. That means making sure that the water sprays aren't blocked. On most machines, there's one spray arm below the bottom rack and another right below the upper rack. Steward suggests taking your finger and spinning the spray arms once the machine is loaded to assure that they can move freely.
2. Yes, there is a right way to load a dishwasher.
You can optimize cleaning by loading the dishes so they make best use of the spray arms. To ensure this, all soiled surfaces should be facing inward, or as Forte explains, "In toward the center, not out toward the walls." Here are other tips for how to best load the dishwasher:
-Large items like pots, pans and casserole dishes should be placed along the sides and back of the lower rack. Be sure that pot and long utensil handles don't protrude below the bottom rack -- one way that spray arms commonly get blocked. Some machines have additional jets on the lower back wall of the tub. Heavily soiled items can be positioned to face those jets for a direct, targeted spray and extra cleaning.
-Glasses and smaller items should go on the top rack, with glasses placed upside down in between the tines, never over them. (They're less secure when placed over the tines, increasing the risk of damage. Plus, the tines can cause food and water to get trapped inside, leaving stains.)
-Silverware is a little trickier to arrange. The key to getting these clean is to make sure that they don't nest. Alternate loading spoons and forks with the handles facing up and down; knives should always go in with the sharp end pointing down.
-Plastic can get damaged if you're using the heat dry setting, so always put these items on the top shelf, away from the drying mechanism.
-Platters and cookie sheets are best placed on the sides of the bottom rack. If placed in front, they may hinder the detergent door from opening or prevent the detergent from being dispensed and fully mixing with the water.
3. Make sure that the water is hot.
Since heat is a key factor in breaking up grease and stubborn food, Steward suggests running your kitchen tap before starting a dishwasher cycle. That way, the water will be hot the moment it touches your plates.
4. Add the right amount of detergent.
"More is not always better," when it comes to dishwasher detergent, Steward says. The amount you need depends on the hardness of your water. Look for guidelines in your machine's user care guide, but as a general rule of thumb, the harder your water is, the more detergent you'll need. If your water is soft (or if you've done a lot of pre-rinsing), using too much detergent can cause etching or a rainbow effect on glass that's irreversible.
5. Scrape, don't rinse.
Pre-rinsing is a waste of water, both experts agree. With performance improving in most machines over the years, all you need to do is scrape off big pieces of food and send the wares in for a wash. "The only time I would recommend it is if you weren't running a full load," Forte says. "In that case you can use a "rinse and hold" setting. It only uses a gallon of water, less water than rinsing them in the sink, and they can stay there until you can accumulate a whole load."
Looking for something to do tomorrow? The Fourth Annual Vettes and Vets will be going on at Bluffton High School. 
Saturday, May 7th 2011
Well, the new Tanger Outlet One has been open for a few weeks now, and the good deals are rollin' in! I found lots of fun coupons on their website that start today and are good through next week! I know where I'll be spending part of MY weekend! Anyone else? 
Teenager Tracy Turnblad wants just one thing: to dance on The Corny Collins Show, the coolest teen TV show of all of Baltimore! Aided by her best friend Penny, and against the wishes of her mom, Edna, Tracy becomes a local star and sets out to challenge the teen dance world. Winner of eight Tonys, including Best Musical, Hairspray is a modern classic and a worldwide hit (the London production was nominated for a record-setting seven Laurence Olivier Awards).
Google on Thursday posted a homepage doodle in honor of what would've been illusionist Harry Houdini's 137th birthday. The image (below) features a drawing of Houdini with chains on his hands in front of a red banner with the Google logo. 
Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary in 1874. His family re-located to Appleton, Wisconsin four years later, and by age nine, Houdini and childhood friends established a five-cent circus, with Houdini billing himself as "Ehrich, The Prince of the Air," according to PBS.
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