Leaving dishes on the counter overnight before putting them in the dishwasher is generally not recommended for several reasons:
Food residue can harden: If there are leftover food particles on the dishes, they can dry and harden overnight, making it more difficult for the dishwasher to clean them effectively.
Attracts pests: Leaving dirty dishes out can attract pests like ants, flies, or even rodents, which can be unhygienic and lead to potential health risks.
Unpleasant odor: Stagnant food particles can produce unpleasant odors in the kitchen, making the environment less pleasant to be in.
Bacteria growth: Bacteria can multiply rapidly on dirty dishes, especially in a warm and moist environment, increasing the risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses.
For the best results and to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen, it's advisable to rinse off or scrape any excess food from the dishes immediately after use and load them into the dishwasher as soon as possible. If you can't run the dishwasher immediately, consider soaking the dishes in soapy water to prevent the food from drying and becoming more difficult to clean later.