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"  When you have a big family or just hate handwashing, a dishwasher is a kitchen blessing. But you most likely aren&amp;#039;t using it to its full potential. We&amp;#039;ve got eight steps to your best cycle yet: 1. Adjust your racks Move the top rack up or down (most newer models let you do this) to fit odd-sized items you&amp;#039;re always washing but never fit correctly. 2. Arrange smartly Place extra-dirty or crusty items on the bottom rack facing the center, where the spray arm is. 3. Don&amp;#039;t mix your silverware Keep silver and stainless steel flatware separate; if the metals touch, the silver may get pitted. 4. But do mix up your spoons Alternate spoons (bowls up and down) to prevent nesting so each each piece gets clean. 5. Be detergent smart Using a detergent pod? Place it in the dispenser \u2014 don&amp;#039;t just toss it in, or it&amp;#039;ll dissolve too quickly. 6. Unload in the right order Top-rack dishes dripping on the dry ones below? Empty the bottom rack first. 7. Clean more than just dishes Use the sanitize setting to help kill germs and freshen up more than just your plates and glasses. The dishwasher works on all the following items too (but be sure to run in a separate cycle from dishes):  Plastic hairbrushes Baseball caps Plastic toys Toothbrushes Rubber flip-flops  NEXT: The Biggest Mistakes You&amp;#039;re Making With Your Dishwasher \u00BB Photo: Kyoungil Jeon / Getty Images "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a18872/dishwasher-uses/?src=shelter_footer>