Washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is a common practice in some American households, but it's not universally followed by all Americans. There are a few reasons why some people may choose to wash dishes before loading them into the dishwasher:
Old Habits Die Hard: In the past, dishwashers were not as efficient or powerful as they are now, so pre-rinsing dishes was necessary to ensure they would come out clean after the dishwasher cycle. Although modern dishwashers are designed to handle food residues effectively, some people continue to follow this habit out of tradition or past experiences.
Avoiding Clogs and Maintenance Issues: Some people pre-rinse dishes to prevent food scraps from clogging the dishwasher's filters or drainage system. While modern dishwashers are equipped to handle small food particles, excessive amounts can cause problems over time.
Limited Dishwasher Use: In some households, the dishwasher may not be used frequently, so people prefer to pre-rinse dishes to prevent any food residues from drying and sticking to the dishes while they sit in the dishwasher until the next load.
Perception of Better Results: Certain individuals believe that pre-rinsing dishes will lead to cleaner results, even if the dishwasher is designed to handle dirty dishes without pre-rinsing. This perception may be based on personal preferences or past experiences.
It's essential to note that pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher can waste water and time, especially when modern dishwashers are engineered to tackle dirty dishes effectively. In many cases, it's sufficient to scrape off excess food before loading the dishes, leaving the dishwasher to handle the rest. Ultimately, whether to pre-rinse dishes or not is a personal preference, and different households may have different practices based on their beliefs and experiences.