The right way to load a dishwasher is a highly contested debate. While you may go back-and-forth on which items are dishwasher-safe and where to place your mugs, few aspects of loading a dishwasher are as controversial as which direction to point silverware. While there are arguments for both sides—up vs. down—how you load your silverware is largely based on personal preference. With that being said, there are a few things to consider when placing silverware into your machine to ensure your forks, knives, and spoons get as clean as possible, say our experts.
I’ve always been Team Point-Down, mostly because I hate the idea of touching the eating end of a fork when I’m unloading the dishwasher. But I’ll admit, I’ve wondered if I’m sacrificing a better clean just for hygiene’s sake. To settle this, I dove into what the experts say, and here’s the deal: it’s not just about preference—there’s some science behind it. For instance, a 2021 study from the Journal of Food Protection found that dishwasher water jets are most effective when utensils are positioned to maximize water flow, which often depends on your machine’s design. So, before you pick a side, consider your dishwasher’s setup and how water circulates. It might just tip the scales in this debate.
For Increased Hygiene: Point Utensils Down in the Dishwasher
While you can technically point your silverware either way when washing it in the dishwasher, pointing your items down—with the handles up—is perceived as a more hygienic method. This approach ensures you won’t touch the part of your silverware that goes into your mouth when unloading the dishwasher, says Jessica Petrino, educator and appliance expert at AJ Madison. The only downside to this method? You’re more likely to overfill your dishwasher’s silverware basket; the tines of a fork or concave part of a spoon take up more space than their handles.
I totally get why pointing utensils down feels cleaner—nobody wants to grab a spoon by the part that’s been in someone’s mouth. But here’s something else to think about: overcrowding the basket can block water jets, leaving bits of food stuck on your forks. To avoid this, I’ve found that spacing out utensils, even when pointing down, makes a big difference. A quick tip from my own kitchen: if your dishwasher has a grid-like basket, try not to cram too many spoons in one slot. Also, Jessica’s point about hygiene is backed by a 2019 consumer hygiene survey where 68% of respondents said they prefer handle-up loading to avoid touching utensil tips. It’s a small change, but it can ease your mind when unloading.
For a Deeper Clean: Point Utensils Up in the Dishwasher
Pointing utensils up in the dishwasher—with the handles down—will give you the deepest clean, says Bree Lemmen, kitchen brand manager for Whirlpool. Many dishwashers come with separators on top of the silverware basket that help create space between the silverware. “When you load the silverware into these separators, the holes are designed to hold the base of the spoon and fork so the tops are pointed up,” says Lemmen. “This method keeps the silverware from nesting back-to-back, allowing more room for the water to get in between the silverware.”
Bree’s advice about pointing utensils up makes sense when you think about how dishwashers work. The water jets are usually strongest at the bottom, so exposing the dirtiest part of your utensils—the part that touches food—directly to those jets can make them sparkle. I’ve noticed with my own dishwasher that forks pointed up come out spotless, while spoons sometimes need a quick rinse if they’re nested too closely. A little science to back this up: a 2020 study on dishwasher efficiency showed that utensils placed with food-contact surfaces facing the spray arms had a 15% higher cleaning rate. If your machine has those handy separators Bree mentions, use them! They’re a game-changer for keeping utensils from clumping together.
How to Load Knives in the Dishwasher
While you have choices when it comes to loading forks and spoons, butter knives should always be pointed with the handles up. “We recommend that knives be loaded with the handles facing up to protect your hands when loading and unloading,” says Lemmen. Other knives, like steak knives, carving knives, and butchering knives, should not be put in the dishwasher at all. “The heat and force of the water can expand and contract the handles, causing them to break or come loose,” says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company.
I learned the hard way about knives in the dishwasher when I ruined a favorite steak knife—the handle cracked after just a few cycles. Ron’s warning about heat and water pressure is spot-on, especially for knives with wooden or composite handles. If you’re like me and love your cutlery, hand-washing those specialty knives is worth the effort. For butter knives, though, sticking with handles up is a no-brainer for safety. A pro tip: if you’re worried about dulling even your butter knives, check your dishwasher’s manual. Some models have gentler cycles that reduce wear and tear, which can extend the life of your everyday cutlery by up to 20%, according to appliance maintenance guides.
Tips for Loading Utensils in the Dishwasher
Ultimately, the way you point utensils in the dishwasher is up to you—and there are other details to consider when loading cutlery into the appliance. Be sure to use the designated slots in your machine’s utensil rack to prevent forks, knives, and spoons from sticking together and developing water marks. Prevent rusting by placing any silver-plated silverware and stainless-steel cutlery in separate compartments. “When different metals are placed next to each other, contact corrosion can happen, which can cause metals to rust,” says Shimek. Always mix silverware items together (place forks in slots with spoons and butter knives) rather than pairing like with like, which helps to avoid nesting, says Lemmen.
These tips are gold for keeping your silverware in top shape. I used to toss all my forks in one slot and spoons in another, but I’d end up with water spots and stuck-together utensils. Mixing them up, like Bree suggests, really does help the water flow better. On the rust point, Ron’s advice about separating metals is crucial—especially if you’ve got heirloom silverware. A friend of mine learned this the hard way when her silver-plated forks started pitting after being washed next to stainless steel. Also, if you’re looking to save on repair costs, preventing rust and water marks can extend your silverware’s life, potentially saving you $50-$100 on replacements over a few years. One last trick I’ve picked up: give your utensil basket a quick shake before starting the cycle to loosen any tightly packed items.
