Dishwasher racks are designed in highly specific ways. Specific sections of the dishwasher racks are designed to hold onto certain types of dishes. For instance, one section on the bottom rack is designed specifically to hold your plates in place while the dishwasher gets to work. But with the racks being so specifically designed, you might wonder whether it’s wrong to arrange your dishes in a way outside of the norm.

It’s commonly accepted that mugs should be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. But is it okay for them to be placed in the bottom rack? What would happen if you did?

If you’ve ever struggled to find the space for that one last mug, that’s likely why you’re here. Wondering whether mugs can go on the bottom rack of a dishwasher? This article will find out if it’s possible. Let’s get right into it!

Can Mugs Be Put On The Bottom Rack Of A Dishwasher?

Organising your dishes strictly into either the top or bottom rack of the dishwasher can be quite frustrating. Especially when you are running short of space in either of them. However, dishwashers are equipped with two racks not only to help you make the most of every inch of tub space but also to keep all of your dishes safe. This is why it’s important to never place mugs in the bottom rack.

The top rack of the dishwasher is often furthest away from the heating element. This means that, when the water reaches the top rack, it is often slightly cooler. This is important because it helps to protect delicate dishes. Dishes like mugs, glasses, and plastic containers are highly susceptible to heat. If they are subjected to temperatures that are too high, then they run the risk of cracking or melting.

More fragile top-rack dishes are also protected from intense water pressure. The water pressure of a dishwasher is much greater towards the bottom of the unit. The pressure of the water, shooting out from the jets could be powerful enough to directly damage the most delicate of dishes.

Mugs should always be placed on the top rack. It not only helps to keep them safe but it also helps to keep your dishwasher working at its very best.

It’s also important to keep mugs in the top rack because of their unique shape. If you load a mug in the bottom rack of a dishwasher, it runs the risk of blocking some of the water jets. In turn, this would prevent water from reaching the top rack entirely, and even keep water from reaching dishes in the bottom rack!

How Should You Organise The Bottom Rack Of A Dishwasher?

It’s important to organise the bottom dishwasher rack in an efficient manner. Placing your dishes inefficiently will lead to a bad clean, as it will keep water from reaching the top racks, and impact draining.

The bottom rack is generally reserved for objects like plates, wide bowls, and cutlery. When you load these items into the dishwasher, you’ll notice that you arrange them vertically. This not only helps you to make the most of the rack space but also improves the efficiency of the dishwasher as a whole. The water jets will not be blocked, which will allow water to travel across the entire height of the unit.

The vertical arrangement also makes it much easier for the dishes to dry after a cycle ends. Water will naturally run off of the surface of the dishes.

The bottom rack should be loaded with objects that can be stored vertically only. This helps water to travel more efficiently and helps to speed up the drying process at the end of the cycle.

This is why you should avoid placing top-rack items into the bottom rack. Their wider shapes keep them from being stored vertically. This results in hampered performance from the water jets.

What Happens If You Overload A Dishwasher Rack?

When organising your dishwasher racks, you should be mindful to avoid overloading them. If you overload the racks, you make it much more difficult for water to travel around the tub. When dishes are cramped close together, small pockets of dirt can go completely untouched even in the longest of cycles!

Unfortunately, it’s quite easy to end up overloading a dishwasher. You might think that there’s a little bit of extra space for that last bowl, but it’s best to stick to the organised structure of the racks. For instance, don’t try to stick two plates between the same sets of prongs. If you ever struggle to put a dish into position in your dishwasher, it’s likely that you’re overloading it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mugs Go On The Bottom Rack Of A Dishwasher?

You should avoid placing mugs in the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Mugs are much more delicate than other dishes. This means that they can easily be damaged by the force and the temperature of the water when placed in the bottom rack. Mugs will also prevent water from effectively reaching the top rack if they are placed on the bottom rack.

Can You Put Glass Cups On The Bottom Rack Of The Dishwasher?

We would strongly recommend against placing glass cups in the bottom rack of your dishwasher. The high temperatures of the bottom rack could very easily do damage to glass cups and cause them to shatter. The top rack is much cooler, and the water is much less forceful from up above. As such, the top rack is best for delicate items.

Should Cups Face Up Or Down In Dishwasher?

Cups should always be stored upside down in your dishwasher. If you were to store a cup upright in your dishwasher, water would easily pool inside of it. This would lead to a very insufficient cleaning, as the water would not be able to cycle back around the tub and clean everything else.