Dishwasher tips: Appliance expert sparks outrage over the ‘right way’ to load cutlery in the dishwasher

The right way to load cutlery in the dishwasher is a debate that has raged ever since dishwashers became part of the home.

However, one expert’s advice on whether cutlery should go in the basket up or down has shocked many who feel it ignores crucial concerns.

Canadian retailer TA Appliances revealed the so-called ‘right way’ to load cutlery in the dishwasher in a TikTok video that has been viewed 1.5 million times.

Watch the video above.

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”Here is something I didn’t know until I started working at an appliance store – I never knew that there’s actually a right way of loading your cutlery into your dishwasher,” a TA Appliance employee said.

“If your cutlery has slots [on top] the correct way of loading it is with knives with the blade side down and forks and spoons with the tines poking up.

“If your cutlery basket is just an open top like this one then the correct way of doing it is to alternate your forks and spoons up and down, so that way they won’t nest together and they’ll get properly cleaned.”

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Doubling down on its cutlery loading stance the appliance retailer captioned the post, “It’s been a hot topic, cutlery up or down. Well we think the correct answer is…. both?”

This is in contrast to other dishwasher experts, including at Australian consumer advocate CHOICE who recommend cutlery be placed in the basket with all blades and tines down for hygiene and safety reasons.

Naturally, the ‘both ways’ approach to cutlery loading wasn’t well received by many who watched the TikTok. They also pointed out safety and hygiene concerns.

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“No flippin way: all silverware pointed down. So when they are clean, you grab all by handles to put into drawers so you don’t touch the portion where your mouth will be,” one said.

“I HAVE STABBED MY HAND GRABBING FORKS THAT WERE UP! DONT PUT FORKS OR KNIVES UP!” a TikToker commented.

“I once saw my mother when unloading the cutlery where the fork prongs were sticking up, actually jam a prong into her nail bed. NEVER will I ever load forks prongs up,” another said.

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But there were plenty of others who remain on the blades and tines up team.

“Incorrect. Always tines/tips up. Bacteria settles at the bottom,” a man said.

“But the fork goes thru the bottom and jams the tray,” another wrote.

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And some take a cavalier approach and hope for the best.

“Or you can do what my husband does and just throw them at the basket and hope they land somewhere they might get washed,” one commented.

“Appliance repair company here. I toss it in the basket however I have them in my hand. They all clean either way,” another posted.

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Then there are the lucky few who don’t have to worry about up or down in the basket because they have newer models with a cutlery tray at the top of the dishwasher.

“My dishwasher has a place to put silverware on it side on the very top level. Problem solved,” one commented.

“Those baskets take up too much space. I use the 3rd level,” a man said.

If you’re still confused or debating this issue in your household your dishwasher manual should state the correct way to load cutlery in the dishwasher.

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