Pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is one of several everyday habits that could make the appliance less efficient, according to Beko. The practice can waste both water and time, and it may also affect how effectively the dishwasher cleans.
With energy bills still a concern for many UK households, people are continuing to look for simple ways to reduce everyday costs at home. According to the UK Parliament’s High Cost of Living: Impact on Households research briefing, 61% of adults in Great Britain reported that their cost of living increased in November 2025 compared with the previous month. Among those affected, 68% said rising gas and electricity prices were a key factor.
Why pre-rinsing is a mistake
Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko, explains: “Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes and glasses hygienically while helping to save time and water. However, some everyday habits can make them less efficient and increase running costs.”
Sun adds: “Many modern dishwashers use soil sensors to detect how dirty the dishes are and adjust the programme accordingly. If items are already very clean, the appliance may run a shorter, less intensive cycle than needed.” Instead of rinsing dishes beforehand, simply scrape off larger food particles before loading them.
Loading and programme tips
Poor loading can prevent water and detergent from reaching every surface, which may mean you need to run another cycle. To help your dishwasher work effectively: position dishes so they are stable and not touching each other; angle deeper plates so water can run off them easily; place larger and heavily soiled items on the bottom rack; use the top rack for glasses, cups and lightly soiled items; and arrange cutlery so some items face up and others down to avoid nesting (sharp knives should always face down for safety).
Sun adds: “Overloading your dishwasher can prevent water and detergent from circulating properly. It can also cause items to knock together during the cycle, which may lead to chips or scratches.”
Eco mode and filter maintenance
For best efficiency, it’s usually recommended to run your dishwasher when it’s full. However, smaller households may not always have enough dishes to fill a full load. Sun explains: “If you only have a small number of dishes to wash, a half-load programme can be a helpful option. This feature focuses the wash on fewer areas of the dishwasher, helping to reduce water and energy use.” Depending on the appliance, half-load programmes can reduce water and energy consumption by around 10–25%, while eco programmes are designed to provide an efficient clean for everyday loads.
Sun advises: “To keep your dishwasher working at its best, it’s important to clean the filter regularly. We recommend checking and cleaning it at least once a week, or whenever it becomes clogged.” Simple habits, such as avoiding pre-rinsing, loading your dishwasher correctly, and using the Eco programme where possible, can help improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use.
