Why plastic dishes don't dry in the dishwasher and come out covered in water stains after washing

Dishwashers are great. You load dirty dishes in them, add detergent, choose a setting, and lo and behold — a few hours after pressing the Start button — almost everything comes out hot, clean, and dry, informs Ukr.Media.

This is certainly better than washing dishes by hand with a sponge, which can harbor bacteria. However, you've probably noticed that all those plastic plates, glasses, and storage containers you put in the dishwasher come out a little different. Instead of being dry at the end, these items are still covered in water droplets.

So what's the deal? It turns out that your dishwasher isn't to blame for the fact that plastic dishes never fully dry in the dishwasher. It's all thanks to science.

Dishwashers get quite hot, typically between 130 and 170°F. Glass, metal, and ceramic dishes absorb this heat, which helps moisture evaporate quickly during the dishwasher's drying cycle. But plastic doesn't absorb or retain heat as well as other materials and actually cools much faster, so moisture on its surface is less likely to evaporate by the time the cycle is finished.

Additionally, condensation can build up on plastic storage containers because they have rims and sides to create a tighter fit for the lids, making it even harder for these items to dry completely after washing in the dishwasher.

Luckily, there's a good way to solve this problem. You can try changing the way you load your dishes in the dishwasher. Next time, place those pesky plastic bowls, glasses, and containers at an angle on the top rack. Instead of pooling, the water will drain more easily on its own.

Джерело: Source