Whether or not to soak dishes before putting them in a dishwasher is a matter of personal preference and the specific circumstances. Here are some factors to consider:
Type of dishwasher: Modern dishwashers are typically designed to handle food particles and debris without requiring pre-soaking. They come equipped with powerful jets, sprays, and filters to remove dirt and grime effectively. If you have a newer dishwasher model, pre-soaking may not be necessary.
Extent of food debris: If your dishes have significant food particles stuck to them, it can be helpful to scrape off or rinse off the excess food before placing them in the dishwasher. This can help prevent clogs in the dishwasher and ensure more effective cleaning.
Time delay: If you're not running the dishwasher immediately and anticipate a delay of several hours or overnight, pre-soaking can be beneficial. Soaking can help soften dried-on or stubborn food residues, making them easier to remove during the wash cycle.
Delicate or heavily soiled items: Delicate items or heavily soiled pots and pans may benefit from pre-soaking. This can help loosen tough stains and make the cleaning process more effective.
In general, for lightly soiled dishes, it's usually sufficient to scrape off excess food and rinse them before loading them into the dishwasher. However, if you have particularly dirty or greasy items, pre-soaking or pre-rinsing can be helpful.
It's worth noting that pre-soaking should be done in cold or lukewarm water rather than hot water. Hot water can set protein-based stains, making them harder to remove.
Ultimately, it's a good idea to consult the manufacturer's instructions for your specific dishwasher model, as they may provide guidelines on pre-soaking or pre-rinsing.