Expert reveals the big mistakes you're making with your dishwasher and how to fix them

The dishwasher is one of the best appliances you can have in the kitchen. Who doesn't love not having to hand wash every single dish after dinner?

But while the appliance may be one of our favourites, there are some big mistakes we're all guilty of making when it comes to how we use it.

CHOICE dishwasher expert, Ashley Iredale, has revealed some of the most common dishwasher mistakes people make and how you can fix them.

His tips will help you not only save time, but money and water too, and actually help you get the most out of your appliance.

We've pulled out three things we've all done at least once, if not all the time, when using the dishwasher.

Pre-rinsing your dishes is a big no-no

You're not alone if you give every plate, bowl and piece of cutlery a good rinse under the tap before you pop it in the dishwasher, but according to Ash it's unnecessary and could make your dishes dirtier too.

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"Not only does pre-rinsing push your water consumption way up, it can actually trick your dishwasher into thinking your plates are cleaner than they are," Ash said.

"Dishwashers use what's called a turbidity sensor to measure the level of soil in the first rinse cycle, so it'll use less power and things might actually come out dirtier. You're better off scraping solids into the bin and letting your machine do the rest."

But that being said, you should clear any big scraps off your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

You've got to fill it right up

If you're the kind of person who likes to just run the dishwasher daily, despite how much is inside it, you might also be making a big mistake. To get the most out of using it, you should be making sure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on.

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"Dishwashers are very water efficient compared to hand washing, but to get maximum efficiency you really need to wait until it's completely full," Ashley said.

"Running it half-empty is leaving money on the table as far as your energy and water use is concerned. Also, a full dishwasher will have better drying performance due to the greater thermal mass of its contents."

Stop shutting the door when you're not using it

Leaving the door gaping open while you're not using the dishwasher may sound silly, but there's actually a really good reason to leave it slightly ajar.

Ashley explained the dishwasher is a lot like your washing machine, and due to the wet environment the door seals can be delicate.

"If you shut the door tightly, your seals won't get a chance to dry out, promoting mould growth and leaving you with foul odours. Plus, your seals could become crushed over time and not seal as well. Leaving your unit ajar helps them retain the shape," Ashley said.

These are just a few of the mistakes Ashley explained in the piece with CHOICE. You can read the full list here.