The Truth About Pre-Rinsing Dishes: Experts Put Advice to the Test

Experts advise against pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, as it wastes water and may reduce the machine's effectiveness. The Good Housekeeping Institute conducted a test using dirty dishes and found that not pre-rinsing them resulted in clean dishes in most cases. However, personal preferences, habits, and logistical factors can influence people's dishwashing practices. Some individuals find it difficult to break the habit of pre-rinsing, while others have a visceral response to loading un-rinsed dishes. The advice to skip pre-rinsing assumes the use of a good detergent, proper machine usage, regular cleaning of the filter, and appropriate loading techniques. Childhood memories, cleanliness perceptions, and guilt can also impact dishwashing habits. While it is worth trying to break the pre-rinse habit for environmental reasons, individuals should go easy on themselves if they still choose to rinse certain items.