Nate Berkus Shares Advice On How To Keep A Dishwasher Routine Running Smoothly

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If loading and unloading the dishwasher is your least favorite chore, there might be an easy solution, and it's not switching to paper plates. Instead, take a page out of HGTV host Nate Berkus' book and try a dishwasher routine to keep the daily dishes running smoothly. By sorting the cutlery by type into the top tray and creating zones for specific dishes in the appliance, Berkus makes it easy to get the dishes done. 

The host of HGTV's "The Nate and Jeremiah Project" broke down his dishwashing steps to make the daily chore simpler on Instagram. Using this strategy will help make the whole process easier for anyone who's stuck having to do load after load of dishes for the family. Plus, it's a great way to ensure you load your dishwasher properly so every dish gets squeaky clean, meaning less time having to handwash dishes that didn't get properly washed the first time.

First off, to make it clear whether the dishes are clean or dirty, Nate Berkus suggests popping a dishwasher pod in the dispenser after emptying the dishwasher. This lets the whole household know the dishes inside the machine are dirty since it hasn't been run yet. Whether you're team dishwasher pods, powder, or liquid detergent, this is an easy way to let everyone know the status. If you know your household needs a more obvious sign, perhaps a dishwasher magnet, like this stylish ThreeKin Clean/Dirty Magnet from Amazon, can keep everyone on the same page.

Is there a right way to load silverware into your dishwasher? Berkus says yes. His dishwasher has a specific cutlery tray where he groups spoons, forks, and knives. Whether you have a tray or an in-rack basket, grouping them by type makes it easy to unload. Just make sure there's plenty of space to allow water to clean properly. Berkus also suggests adding larger cutlery or utensils to the cutlery rack. You can also pop them in the upper dish rack if they don't fit in the cutlery area.

Mugs, cups, and glasses are destined for the top rack — Berkus recommends starting at the back and working forward — and plates, bowls, and pans on the bottom. Make sure that plates and bowls face towards your dishwasher's spray. This helps the water easily clean each piece and makes it simple to unload since all the dishes are already facing the same way.