Should You Point Silverware Up or Down in the Dishwasher? 3 Experts Weigh In

The right way to load a dishwasher is a highly contested debate. While you may go back-and-forth on which items are dishwasher-safe and where to place your mugs, few aspects of loading a dishwasher are as controversial as which direction to point silverware. While there are arguments for both sides—up vs. down—how you load your silverware is largely based on personal preference. With that being said, there are a few things to consider when placing silverware into your machine to ensure your forks, knives, and spoons get as clean as possible, say our experts.

For Increased Hygiene: Point Utensils Down in the Dishwasher

While you can technically point your silverware either way when washing it in the dishwasher, pointing your items down—with the handles up—is perceived as a more hygienic method. This approach ensures you won't touch the part of your silverware that goes into your mouth when unloading the dishwasher, says Jessica Petrino, educator and appliance expert at AJ Madison.

The only downside to this method? You're more likely to overfill your dishwasher's silverware basket; the tines of a fork or concave part of a spoon take up more space than their handles.

For a Deeper Clean: Point Utensils Up in the Dishwasher

Pointing utensils up in the dishwasher—with the handles down—will give you the deepest clean, says Bree Lemmen, kitchen brand manager for Whirlpool. Many dishwashers come with separators on top of the silverware basket that help create space between the silverware. "When you load the silverware into these separators, the holes are designed to hold the base of the spoon and fork so the tops are pointed up," says Lemmen. "This method keeps the silverware from nesting back-to-back, allowing more room for the water to get in between the silverware.

How to Load Knives in the Dishwasher

While you have choices when it comes to loading forks and spoons, butter knives should always be pointed with the handles up. "We recommend that knives be loaded with the handles facing up to protect your hands when loading and unloading," says Lemmen.

Other knives, like steak knives, carving knives, and butchering knives, should not be put in the dishwasher at all. "The heat and force of the water can expand and contract the handles, causing them to break or come loose," says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company.

Tips for Loading Utensils in the Dishwasher

Ultimately, the way you point utensils in the dishwasher is up to you—and there are other details to consider when loading cutlery into the appliance.

• Be sure to use the designated slots in your machine's utensil rack to prevent forks, knives, and spoons from sticking together and developing water marks.
• Prevent rusting by placing any silver-plated silverware and stainless-steel cutlery in separate compartments. "When different metals are placed next to each other, contact corrosion can happen, which can cause metals to rust," says Shimek.
• Always mix silverware items together (place forks in slots with spoons and butter knives) rather than pairing like with like, which helps to avoid nesting, says Lemmen.