The mechanics of a dishwasher may seem mysterious — kept hidden from view behind the machine’s door — but they’re actually simple. The basin fills with hot water, then a rotating sprayer arm in the bottom of the dishwasher pushes the hot water up and around your dishes. Once the machine is done washing, the water is pumped out through a drain. Some older machines have a final drying phase, where hot air is blown at dishes, but most modern dishwashers rely on the condensation of the water off the hot dishes to dry them.

Your dishwasher does a lot for you — but it still needs your help. How you load your dishes makes a big difference in how clean they get (and whether they avoid damage). These simple rules keep your machine running efficiently and as cleanly as possible.