Should You Rinse Dishes Before the Dishwasher? Scrape, Load and Run It Right

Updated October 26, 2026 · Appliance Den buying guide

Short answer: no. Scrape food scraps into the trash and load the dishes as they are. ENERGY STAR says rinsing before loading only adds to the total water and energy used, and that today’s certified dishwashers and detergents are designed to do the cleaning. If dirty dishes will sit overnight, use the dishwasher’s own rinse cycle instead of the tap.

Scrape, don’t rinse

Pre-rinsing feels like it helps, but it is the step where most of the extra water goes. ENERGY STAR’s advice:

• Scrape food off plates into the trash or compost. Don’t run them under the tap.
• Let the machine do the cleaning. Certified dishwashers and today’s detergents are designed for dishes that haven’t been rinsed.
• If dishes will sit before you run a load, use the rinse or pre-rinse feature. ENERGY STAR says it uses a fraction of the water needed to rinse by hand.

From energystar.gov, “Dishwashers” (best practices), read October 26, 2026.

Run full loads

ENERGY STAR notes that a dishwasher uses about the same energy and water no matter how many dishes are inside, so run it full whenever you can. A half load costs nearly as much to run as a full one.

From energystar.gov, “Dishwashers”, read October 26, 2026.

Pick the right cycle

Many dishwashers have an auto or sensor cycle. ENERGY STAR explains that a soil sensor detects whether the water coming off the dishes is dirty or clean, which can save water and help make sure the dishes come out clean. Without one, match the cycle to the load: a light cycle for lightly soiled dishes uses less water. Some models also have an energy-saving wash cycle or let you turn off heated dry.

From energystar.gov, “Dishwashers” (buying guidance), read October 26, 2026.

Loading tips that help any dishwasher

• Follow your manual’s rack layout. Makers design the spray arms around where they expect plates, bowls and glasses to go.
• Don’t block the spray arms or the detergent dispenser with tall pans or cutting boards. Spin the arms by hand after loading to check.
• Face dirty surfaces toward the center, where the spray comes from, and don’t nest bowls or spoons together.
• Clean the filter as the manual says. A clogged filter is a common reason dishes come out gritty when you stop rinsing.

General loading practice; check your own dishwasher’s manual, which overrides any general tip.

Shopping for a new dishwasher?

ENERGY STAR suggests three checks: compare models on the yellow EnergyGuide label; choose the right size (standard models hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces; compact models hold fewer and, because of their smaller capacity, may use more energy over time); and look for a soil-sensing auto cycle or several cycle options. Our dishwasher buying guide covers measuring the space, noise ratings, drying and installation.

From energystar.gov, “Dishwashers” (buying guidance), read October 26, 2026.

Keep reading

See all dishwashers and kitchen faucets, or read our dishwasher buying guide.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn commissions from eBay and other retailers' affiliate links. Shop links on this page are affiliate links and are marked sponsored.