Hah! I do this already But my bf doens't so when he does the dishes theya re always messed!

My only concern with this was that the silverware wouldn't get clean as they'd stack up or "spoon" each other (pardon the pun.) So if they're guaranteed to still get clean, then I'm all for saving time!

I'm with hkdkat.

I purposely mix mine up because I don't want them to fall together and prevent each other from getting totally cleaned.

This is a good idea, but I don't know if it would work for me. I'm sort of neurotic when it comes to loading the dishwasher and I have to make sure that all of the utensils are evenly spaced among the utensil slots. I'm crazy...I won't let my boyfriend load the dishwasher because I don't like how he does it.

i do this too!

hkdkat and others who are concerned about cleanliness: it's not a problem at all! actually the only time i had a problem with anything like that was when wine glasses were too close together, because i lay them down on the top and they got smooshed together.

As a semi expert, put half the spoons in upside down.

Okay, this is the kind of tip that makes me want to smack myself in the head. WHY did I never think of this????

I do it this way anyway

Duh! You know, I have NEVER thought of this before! I don't currently own a dishwasher, but I can't wait to get one so I can sort of silverware like a pro.

I have always done this and my sister objects to it. She claims the silverware gets cleaner if it's mixed up in the holder. I always point out that I only have to run the dishwasher at her home once and the silverware and dishes are clean. Whereas she run it twice because things are clean the first time.

haha yeah i do this at home and at work

I totally do this. I think it drives my boyfriend crazy, but it saves so much time! And yes, I agree -- if things are sticking together, put half in upside down. Usually I just toss them in at random, so some are up and some are down.

I do that too. I've done it since the first time I used the dishwasher. It just seems natural.

I'm with the mixing it up crowd. I don't like my utensils sticking together and possibly not getting clean. And the only ones I put in facing down are the steak knives, just because I read somewhere people have tripped and landed on them when they are facing up. Ack!

It seems intuitive to sort utensils as recommended above until I read my dishwasher's instruction manual. It states that this is not advisable because utensils have a tendency to nest or stick together -- especially in the case of spoons and teaspoons -- in which case they will not come out clean. Besides, I think the same effort is expended whether you sort before or after washing. So, I would rather go with mixing it up.

Someone has also told me that it is advisable to put all utensils with their heads down so as to get the maximum burst of water -- nothing is said about this in my manual and I rather think water gets to it better when their heads are up and fanning out (except for sharp knives, of course). Some dishwashers have special baskets for knives where they are laid horizontally. They advise that you point the sharp ends toward the back of the dishwasher.

One other tip that I thought was really good was that silver items should not come into contact with stainless steel as this will cause staining.

Yes, but watch out for nesting! They won't get clean if you don't pay attention.

My MIL and hubby make fun of me for doing this! They think I'm crazy, but now I can show them this lovely post. Thanks, YumSugar!

I read this in my google reader and I was going to come comment to say what about if it all sticking together and now I must say I am impressed that Bebett read the instruction manual I've never heard of such!

My husband actually suggested this just a few days ago. How strange to see it on here now.

Some day I will have a dishwasher. sigh...

I'd never thought of this before! Great tip!

I would instinctively do this anyways...

I always do this and just make them face in difdferent directions so they don't all stick together.

elysa, I only read the instruction manual because a friend and I had this same discussion. I think this was also discussed in one of Dear Heloise columns.

I've always done this, but for some reason, my boyfriend refuses to pre-sort. It's so frustrating putting stuff away when he loads the dishwasher!

you should never put your knives in the dishwasher as it dulls them.

i do this already unless i'm feeling lazy. so sometimes i don't, and my husband (who didn't know this trick until he met me) comes behind and tells me i've done it wrong lol!

i always put the heads of the utensils up rather than down because soap, dirty water, and food debris slide down the utensil where it's more likely to slide off the handle.

Argh Yum I'm with you, unloading dishes is like hell to me.

I always do this, but then my flatmates arrive and make a mess of the rest, so most of the time I give up..