I’ll admit it. I hate washing the dishes. I think filling it up is actually fun because I can quickly see a messy kitchen turn into a clean one in just a matter a minutes. But I mostly hate unloading the dishwasher and rinsing them off them before loading . I’ve heard that some people actually enjoy doing the dishes, and I really wish I was born with that special gene. You know the one that makes cleaning enjoyable? Instead I just look for the best products on the market to make my job as quick and painless as possible.
I’ve recently learned that I’ve been washing my dishes all wrong and was asked to share some information with you. With one simple tip, I can save a ton of time with my daily routine. Maybe you were doing this already, but I’m so guilty…
Stop Pre-washing Your Dishes!
Seems so simple right?
I know what you are going to say. You are probably like me and have justified it one of a few ways.
Excuses for Pre-washing Dishes
- Your dishes won’t get as clean and food particles will fly and stick to dishes.
- You don’t know where all that stuck on food will go.
- This is the way you’ve always done it. (Change feels strange.)
- Your dishwasher will start to smell.
If you’ve used any one of these excuses to justify the pre-washing or rinsing of dishes, you are not alone. I’ve said each and every one of them to myself. But stop it, seriously.
A new survey from Cascade Platinum and Marie Claire reveals that nearly all people are doing their dishes incorrectly with 96-percent wasting up to an hour pre-washing their dishes each week – when they should not. In order to get the most optimum clean and shine, it’s important to skip the prewash and use Cascade Platinum. This is because the special enzymes in Cascade Platinum latch onto the leftover food particles, breaking them down so they can wash away – even 24-hour stuck on food. With no food particles on the dishes, the enzymes can’t do their job as well and this can lead to dish issues. And, of all the people wasting their time pre-washing, three-quarters (74%) are experiencing daily fails with dishes that come out looking dirty, spotted or streaked after running them in the dishwasher, with nearly half of respondents (51%) re-washing their dirty dishes a second time.
Did you read that? You don’t need to pre-wash as long as you are using a strong dishwashing detergent like Cascade Platinum. Your dishes will get as clean and food particles shouldn’t get stuck to anything else.
Did you know that most dishwashers feature a garbage disposal? I know mine does, but I never use it. If you didn’t, you aren’t alone. This same study found that 89% of those surveyed didn’t realize their dishwasher can safely dispose of any remaining food on dishes. (Assuming your dishwasher has a garbage disposal.) I remember thinking that feature was important when we bought our dishwasher new 8 years ago. And yet, I’ve never used it. Go figure.
KEY SURVEY FINDINGS
- Nearly half (46%) of survey respondents believe that skipping the pre-wash will lead to dirtier dishes. When in reality, breaking this habit – and skipping pre-wash – along with using Cascade Platinum, will help them achieve the ultimate clean and sparkle every time.
- Almost half (42%) of respondents have actually gone so far as to re-load the dishwasher after their family goes to bed because they did not think their family member(s) did it right the first time.
- More than half (56%) of respondents load their dishwashers after each meal.
If you are running your dishwasher every day, it shouldn’t smell. My husband hates smelling anything if he opens the dishwasher, which is one of the reasons I pre-wash. But even when I’m just about to run the dishwasher, I still rinse my dishes. Why? Habits are tough to break.
Cascade Platinum Elminates Need to Pre-Wash or Pre-Rinse
Cascade Platinum’s superior technology achieves a clean so powerful it eliminates the need to pre-wash or pre-rinse dishes and even helps keep your dishwasher sparkling. Its advanced triple-action formula has powerful enzymes that break down even 24-hour stuck-on food for Cascade’s best clean and shine.
BUY IT and TRY IT:
Cascade Platinum is available at retailer nationwide. For a limited time, try Cascade Platinum risk-free and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest product news and offers.
WIN IT:
Cascade would like to offer one of my lucky readers a dishwashing package which includes Cascade products and some new kitchen tools to get dirty and wash! This prize package will include:
- 1 pack of Cascade Platinum
- 1 bottle of Cascade Rinse Aid
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Wine Stopper
- Cheese Grater
- Sifter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Cascade. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are 100% mine.
Samantha Daleo says
I pre scrub my dishes so there is no huge stains or chunks of food on them but I don’t fully wash them first. I have been through enough dishwashers to know that leaving all of the food on them, no matter how great the detergent, is eventually disastrous. I have found a good soapy swipe/light scrub before placing in the dish washer works just fine.
Stephanie Phelps says
I am so old school and it is hard to change my mind I still wash them and probably always will. I use the dishwasher as a sanitize more than to clean them!
Maria Iemma says
I love washing dishes, I always rinse them before putting in the dishwasher and I love Cascade!!
Jessamine D. says
I handwash my dishes and use the dishwasher to dry them up. Yes I’ll probably try Cascade after I read this post. 🙂
steven weber says
I always pre-soak my tough dishes for the best results.
Carly Brown says
I do pre-soak/pre-rinse my dishes before loading. I would be willing to try and change if my dishes would still get as clean.
Lucy Lopez says
I always rinse off the dishes then put them in the dishwasher.
Kate says
We always pre-rinse our dishes… we have an older dishwasher though. It seems “wrong” to put dishes loaded with food in the dishwasher, but I suppose it would be worth a try if we had some of the right detergent lol
Lori L. says
Pre-rinser here. 🙂
But our dishwasher is older so we have to make sure it’s a really good job of pre-rinsing. Just bought some Cascade Platinum last week so I’m anxious to see how much work it can save me! 🙂
latanya says
I hand wash our dishes right now
Liza Vladyka says
i dont have dishwasher but sis does and yes she pre rinses
Seyma Shabbir says
I always pre-rinse/wipe before throwing dishes in the dishwasher. I think it is a hard habit to break but your post helps!
Nancy says
We usually rinse our dishes. I already love Cascade Platinum.
Ann B. says
Most makers of dishwashers and detergent ads say no rinsing required…unfortunately, I think most of us are stuck in our old ways of pre-rinsing!
Kelly Tupick says
I try to pre-rinse the big food particles so that it doesn’t ruin my dishwasher and the dishes come out clean. If cascade works this good then it will be nice to not have to pre-rinse.
Jackie says
I do pre-rinse my dishes. I learned from your post…but I also think habits are hard to break. I must admit…I am part of that 42% that will reload the dishwasher if I don’t think my family did it right.
Laurel O. says
I usually pre-rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I like that you don’t need to pre-rinse with the product, but I don’t know if I can change my pre-rinsing habit. Haha.
Vickie Couturier says
sometimes I pre rinse and sometimes I don’t,,usually not unless its really bad
Amber Faith says
I used to pre-rinse, but I don’t anymore.
Amanda Alvarado says
We pre-rinse before loading the dishwasher. I don’t know that I can change my ways though! 😉
Mary Beth Elderton says
I DO RINSE THE DISHES…but I would love to stop!!
Merry says
I pre rinse my dishes. Yes, the post affirms what I already knew, its not necessary to pre rinse. Now if I can just stop doing it!
Sheila K. says
I prerinse just because I always have and I probably always will.
DESIREE H says
I pre rinse my dishes to where there is not any food left on it.
Nancy says
Yes and hubby thinks I’m crazy!
sandra says
I generally do not prewash or rinse but may soak
trisha kilpatrick says
I prewash my dishes. I taught my children to prewash the dishes. One day, my daughter didn’t rinse all the soap off before putting something into the dishwasher, and a sudsy mess all over the floor happened. After mopping the mess with a towel, she realized that that was a lot easier than ACTUALLY mopping the floor. From then on, she “mopped” the kitchen floor by intentionally adding dish soap with the dishwasher tabs in the dishwasher. It was months before I caught her. She is a night owl and would usually do this after I had gone to bed. She broke me of the prewash habit.
Kris I. says
I usually rinse my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher! I think it is mainly habit!
Sus says
I don’t presoak for prerinse. It reaffirms.
jacqueline says
i prerinse them because I want my dishwasher to last as long as possible
D Schmidt says
I always pre wash and this post definitely reaffirms my logic with things
Sherry S. says
I usually pre wash.
Beth R says
I do prewash. I would rather not, but I have to with my dishwasher
Cynthia R says
I do some pre washing, my dishwasher has a filter and I don’t want any food gunk to get in it.
Casey Everidge says
i pre rinse my dishes! i would love to try out cascade after reading this post.
Terri Moore says
I do pre rinse my dishes but with Cascade I would be willing to stop and save on water too.
Kristi C says
I do rinse my dishes, but I don’t pre-wash.
Marti Tabora says
I used to always rinse my dishes with hot water before putting them in the dishwasher until I got smart and realized I didn’t actually have to.
Jennifer says
I can’t help myself. I prewash all of the dishes. I’m trying to cut that part out.
Ann Fantom says
Yes, I pre-rinse my dishes, but I’m going to try not doing it in the future
Beth Hill says
I prewash my dishes before putting in the dishwasher, I just cant put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and expect them to come out clean. This changes my mind my slightly and could give it a honest try.
Amy Pratt says
I don’t pre-wash, but then again, I use Cascade.
Sonya Genobles says
I pre rinse or soak the stuck on stuff out of habit but I do use cascade and love it
JLin says
rise 1st
Kristie says
I actually only hand wash dishes, so I definitely pre-rinse them at times! If I had a dishwasher, I think I’d still feel the need to pre-rinse.
Natalie S says
Sometimes I do, other times I don’t. Depends on what was being served/eaten.
nannypanpan says
I prewash cause ive had too many do overs
Mary Cloud says
I never pre-wash my dishes but I also hardly ever use my dishwasher – I usually hand-wash
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Denise B. says
I pre-rinse my dishes only because I reuse dishes during the day.
wendy rozema says
No, I do not pre rinse my dishes. This post reaffirms what I know.
Cynthia C says
I have always pre rinsed and have started to do a better job of it because my dishwasher isn’t doing such a great job lately.
Kimberly Schotz says
I have been rinsing my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, silly me.
Carrie says
I pre rinse my dishes, my dish washer is pretty old and I find it necessary and I also can’t stand a smelly dishwasher.
Jane Thomas says
I always pre rinse my dishes. I always have and always will.
xty cruz says
I pre-wash my dishes
Denise S says
I let the dog ‘prewash’ as I put them in the dishwasher.
Emily Smith says
I do not prerinse because we try to conserve water. I laughed so hard when I read about reloading the dishwasher, because I usually end up doing that! lol
April Brenay says
I usually don’t prewash, everything just goes into the dishwasher!
C.j. says
I don’t pre wash the dishes but I do a good plate rinse when I’m done eating from a dish. Not because of stuck on food but I don’t want large and fine food particles caught in the dishwasher spindles
Luna S says
I make sure I spray them off before I put them in.
Alex Bradley says
I pre-wash my dishes, but I would not re load the dishwasher after my family went to bed! I haven’t actually tried not pre-washing them, so after reading this post I might.
Tari Lawson says
I sometimes rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
angie says
I do rinse them before putting them in.
Sharon Harmon says
I admit it, I’ve been guilty of occasionally rinsing them if they are really grimy. I vow to no longer do that! lol! Thank you for the contest!
Kayla says
I pre-wash. I can’t handle the “dishwasher smell’ that occurs when I don’t!
BeckyM says
I always rinse before putting in the dishwasher… even with Cascade!
Danielle D says
Sometimes and yes it does.
Leann Lindeman says
I do rinse the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher.
Heather says
I still pre-rinse. I can’t help it. I know that it’s said to be totally unnecessary, but it’s like it is built in to my housewife DNA that I think I need to rinse these dishes because putting them in the dishwasher!
Lauren Watson says
I pre rinse my dishes. I would continue to do so. You don’t want chucks of food stopping up your dish washer drain!
Elisabeth says
I usually rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher. It’d take a while to break that habit! 🙂
Debra Hall says
i rinse them really well
Tiffany Schmidt says
I still pre rinse. I can’t help it!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I don’t prewash or rinse my dishes.
Samantha C. says
I always pre rinse my dishes and will continue to do so.
Betsy says
I pre-rinse if they look dirty.
tammigirl says
I do pre-wash pretty much everything. And when I don’t I have to do it after I take it out of the dishwasher. I’m looking forward to trying Cascade Platinum.
amanda hardesty says
I pre-wash everything and will continue to do it to prevent any issues. I like cascade products and these are great!
Kristen says
I only rinse off if there’s a lot on the dish.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I Pre-Wash My Dishes, This Post Changes My Mind!
Melissa says
We pre rinse before washing our dishes
Kristyn says
I do a quick (few second) pre-rinse so the dishwasher doesn’t stink to high heavens when I open the door.
Renee Grosskreuz says
I pre- wash my dishes
Michelle C says
I only rinse the messiest of dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Thanks for the chance to win!
kim says
Yes I prewash my dishes, hopefully I won’t after I use cascade platinum
Jenny Q. says
I do always rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I just hadn’t thought of doing it any other way before reading this.
Tara T. says
No, I don’t pre-wash, I had read an article a few years ago about not washing beforehand.
kj skib says
We sort of wash. Just clean off under water but no soap.
Tiffany Wilson says
I already knew most about what was posted so I never prerinse but my hubby doesn’t believe me so I will have him read all that great info.
Jillian T says
We usually rinse off our dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I was surprised to learn from the post that using Cascade could eliminate the need to pre-wash.
ambrea says
I pre rinse my dishes
Jana C. says
I pre-rinse my dishes.
Audra O'Hara says
I do pre-rinse my dishes and try to get the stuck-on food removed. I’d totally skip that step and give it a try if I won. 🙂
Dawn Keenan says
I never prewash dishes and only rinse occasionally, however, it would be great to not have to do that at all.
Patti Hess says
Yes, I pre rinse but this made me think
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you
Jennifer A. says
Pre-rinse…I don’t trust my dishwasher! lol
danielle Marie says
always. our dishwasher cant handle it. and lasagna is terrible if you dont pre rinse.
Carla S says
I prerinse my dishes.
Lauren Olivia Wood says
I do pre-rinse my dishes but after this post I suppose I don’t have to!
Nicole-Lynn says
Yes, I currently pre-rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. And yes, this review does affirm that I do not need to do this with Cascade Platinum! I’d love to try. Thanks for the opportunity.
[email protected]
lauren n says
I pre-rinse and yes it does.
brandy c says
No, and this post wouldn’t really change my mind.
s riches says
I will prewash only the really messy dishes.
katherine d says
I SHOULD pre-wash, but sometimes I don’t 🙁 I should try cascade though to solve this problem
Theresa Jenkins says
right now I use Cascade complete … No pre-wash
Leela says
I rinse things like tomato sauce/oil.
cyndi br says
I prewash, this already affirms what I already know
Cody Anderson says
I’ve always pre-rinsed my dishes, but I’ve always had cheap dishwashers in my apartments.
rich m says
I’ve always pre-rinsed and will have to try this but maybe i’ll give it a try.
Tara says
I rinse most of my dishes. I don’t think mine has a garbage disposal.
Sarah B says
I pre-rinse so that food doesn’t sit in the dishwasher too long.
Debbie Bray says
I do pre wash sometimes, but this post did teach e a thing or two!!
BusyWorkingMama says
I always rinse, at least briefly. I don’t think you should have to scrub before the dishwasher – what’s the point?
Nicholas Balandiat says
I don’t pre-wash…I just say I do! If it doesn’t do the job blame the water company!
Andrea Hatfield says
I pre-riinse my dishes to get oily residue off but I don’t pre-wash them.
Lisa V. says
I do pre-rinse and out of habit, I’ll probably continue to do so regardless.
Tanya White says
I pre rinse I have always pre rinsed.
joni says
I practically wash my dishes before I put them in a dishwasher.
joni says
I practically wash my dishes before I put them in a dishwasher.
Hope Mitchner says
I never prewash. I have an awesome dishwasher. This post just reaffirmed what I already knew.
Patricia says
No I don’t pre-wash or pre-rinse my dishes.
shirley says
I do pre-wash, and not sure a I can stop, even if I don’t need to pre-wash.
Stephanie Larison says
Nope I don’t pre-wash. I just shove them in the dishwasher lol.
Eileen Richter says
We do a quick rinse on some plates as our dishwasher does not have the so called food “chopper” unit. but for just standard dinnerware, no. I am more worried these days about the sanitation part of the wash then getting every tiny piece of food particle off. And having a product that rinses off well. Hate the thought of chemicals still being on our dishes.
Angela W says
I have always pre rinsed.
Robin says
I pre-rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I’ll probably won’t change because it is part of my routine.
jennifer says
I always pre wash….. ugh!
Kimberly Hilbert says
I don’t pre-wash my dishes. Only the worst of my dishes get a pre-wash.
Diane says
I try to rinse off some stuff, but not all. My Fiance likes to pre-wash everything which drives me nuts
crystal b says
I always
Birdiebee says
I pre-wash the dishes as I only run the dishwasher 1-2 times per week. In addition, the dishwasher is really old and does not clean well at all and sometimes does not drain.
Brittney House says
I usually just soak my dishes. But this post did open my eyes to some statistics when it comes to dish washing.
Mendy Dinsmore says
I do pre-wash some dishes. It doesn’t change my mind one way or the other.
sara wood says
I always pre wash/rinse my dishes.
shanta spradlin says
I pre-rinse our dishes. No the post doesn’t change my mind, I don’t want extra food in the dishwasher.
christine j says
i always pre wash and rinse. I would love to try this out and NOT do it for a change.
Paula Michele Hafner says
This reaffirms what I already know. I only rinse if there is a lot of stuff like a huge blob of honey, on the plate. We try to just scrap the stuff off and then load.
Jessica says
We pre-rinse in this house.
Coriander Warren says
the only “prewash” around this hillbilly house is the dogs—then we wash, rinse, and dry in the hottest possible conditions to sanitze the dishes to death!
Coriander Warren says
the only “prewash” around this hillbilly house is the dogs—then we wash, rinse, and dry in the hottest possible conditions to sanitze the dishes to death!
Kathy Pease says
I don’t pre wash but if my dishes are really crusty I do soak them in the sink..Yes this post has opened my eyes on what a great product line cascade had..I usually buy the store brand to be honest.
Sarah Hall says
I do pre-rinse most of the dishes but since this gets off 24 hour dried on food, I may not have to do it again.
Erica B. says
I rinse them off before I put them in the dishwasher.
Leanne Godfrey says
Yes, I pre-wash my dishes. This post gave me additional information on the subject.
Cori Westphal says
I don’t prewash, and from years of experience, I know that a quality dishwasher detergent is a must!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Tamra H says
I do pre-wash my dishes, but if I can use Cascade Platinum and skip that step, count me in!
Katie J says
I do rinse the dishes off before placing them in the dishwasher, but I already use Cascade so I know no intense scrubbing is necessary!
Elle Thomas says
I actually hand wash most of my dishes.
Melissa Moreno says
I never pre rinse…too much hassle.
Alex Bradley says
I always pre wash my dishes, but I don’t want to!
Kat Meller says
I am guilty. I pre-wash/rinse often. I have a well and very hard water and always wait till the dishwasher is full … So it can be a few days before its run. Will need to try this one and see if it works for us.
Thanks for the info and giveaway
Janice Crespo says
I just pre-rinse – if I was going to pre-wash, I would just wash them by hand – LOL
Janice Crespo says
This doesn’t really change my mind – I don’t want the dishwasher to have to deal with leftovers if I don’t have to. I want it to last longer 🙂
Sabrina P says
I have dogs and they think it’s part of their job to prerinse my dishes.
beth says
i prerinse and no this article did not change anything
Jennifer Barr says
sometimes i pre-rinse….just depends on what the food was.
Breanne says
I pre-rinse my dishes.
Stephanie Grant says
I do not pre-rinse or pre-wash my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher because I find that an extra step that is unnecessary however my mother always pre-washes her dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and will probably never change the way she does dishes.
Jessica says
I pre rinse as little as possible. Dishes are one of my least favorite chores.
Ed says
I do a light rinsing.
Kim H says
I do pre rinse but not scrub!!
kristy thiel says
I barely pre-rinse, but not much else. Thanks for hosting!
Melanie Montgomery says
Yes, I prerinse and prewash
Laurie Emerson says
I pre-rinse my dishes. This article reaffirmed what I knew before but I admit that using Cascade and eliminating the pre-rinse and pre-wash would make it so much simpler.
melissaandkeith miller says
I always prerinse
Renee G says
No I don’t prewash.
Sara M says
I usually don’t pre-wash my dishes unless they are really gunky. Most times they come out clean so I don’t worry too much about changing my routine.
Corey Olomon says
I usually pre-wash.
Kris M says
akways pre rinse
Shiloh K says
I totally pre-wash every time and feel like I’m WASTING my time. I just don’t think my dishwasher is strong enough to really get the dishes clean without some help from me. Big head, yeah I know. Maybe I’ll try?
krystal wethington says
Yes I prewash them.
Robert Pyszk says
I pre wash dishes but reading this post makes me think it’s not needed 😀
megan tilley says
We prerinse the dishes!
Kayci Stanley says
I usually pre-wash my dishes. I would totally give cascade platinum a try without pre-washing after reading your post.
connie black says
I do pre-rinse and sometime pre-wash….but my kids just toss them in.
Sheryl says
I pre-rinse my dishes. I would like to put Cascade to the test.
Lisa says
I would still rinse my dishes but probably not be as anal about it.
Joni Mitchell says
I prerinse first
keely hostetter says
Yes I do prewash otherwise not everything comes off.
Penny Snyder says
I always pre-wash my dishes!!~
tina reynolds says
I pre-rinse my dishes.
Mary Gardner says
I do pre rinse and this article does make me not worry about being so thorough with rinsing, but I will probably still do it. Creature of habit, I guess.
Susan Smith says
Yes I prewash my dishes
Joseph N says
I totally pre-rinse my dishes.
gayle gildehaus says
I pre-rinse my dishes no matter what.
Peggy Rydzewski says
I rinse them but not pre wash. whats the point
susan smoaks says
i do some pre-washing just so i don’t have to worry about anything being left on the dishes
Melina R says
I prerinse my dishes. I would like to try the Cascade products.
Lisa M says
I do not pre-rinse the dishes and the article confirms why.
Donna L says
I rinse my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher and no.
Stephanie O'Day says
I don’t usually pre-wash, but I’ll rinse off dishes so not to clog the filter in my dishwasher. This post pretty much reaffirmed what I already knew, though.
Michelle D says
I don’t usually pre wash my dishes because I already use Cascade Platinum and know it does a great job!
Kim Reid says
I usually pre-rinse my dishes before I run the dishwasher! I would love to save time and water using Cascade Platinum, sounds great!!
Buddy Garrett says
I don’t prewash. The article reaffirms that prewashing isn’t necessary as long as you use a detergent such as the one in the article.
Pam O says
I always prewash my dishes. probably always will.
Sand says
No, I don’t unless food is really caked on.
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…we don’t pre-wash…just scrape off any noticeable food remnants before loading. It all depends on proper loading, type of detergent, and your particular dishwasher to get items consistently clean.
Donna Kellogg says
I pre rinse but I would love to eliminate that process
Lily Kwan says
I pre-rinse my dishes and utensils.