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Dishwashing
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ToiletWhy Dishwashing Temperature Matters
- by Brodie Cook
The temperature of your dishwasher is the secret to a hygienic kitchen and lower power bills. In Australia, most machines run between 45°C and 75°C, but choosing the wrong setting can leave your plates greasy or damage your glassware.
Getting this balance right ensures you kill bacteria while protecting your electricity bill. This guide helps you choose the perfect dishwasher cycles for a deeper, safer, and cleaner wash every time.
Temperature and Food Safety: Killing the Germs
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria can stay on your dishes for a long time. Even if your plates, cutlery, and chopping boards look clean, germs can still hide on the surface if they aren't washed the right way.
To keep your kitchen safe, FSANZ suggests that your dishwasher temperature must go above 55°C. This is important because most of the grease on your plates is made of lipids (animal fats), which only melt at higher temperatures. If the water is at a lower temperature than this, these lipids stay on your dishes and leave that oily feeling behind. For a deeper clean, choosing a higher temperature cycle around 70°C helps remove grease properly and sanitise your dishes, so they’re safe for your next meal.
Is your dishwasher temperature not hot enough?
If your dishes still feel greasy or your detergent hasn't dissolved, your water temperature is probably too low. You might also notice your plates are soaking wet or have a gritty, sand-like texture when the cycle ends. If you don't get a big burst of steam when you open the door, your machine isn't hot enough to ensure a proper, hygienic clean.
The Thermometer Hack
To test your heat, run a high-temperature wash and wait 20 minutes. Carefully open the door and check the water at the bottom with a digital meat thermometer. If it's reading below 50°C during a normal wash, your heating element or sensors might be on the way out.
Pro Tip: If the water is hot but the dishes are still dirty, check your spray arms. Tiny seeds or bits of plastic often get stuck in the holes, blocking the hot water from hitting your plates.
How to fix it
Start by cleaning your filters, as a big blockage can trick the machine's sensors. You should also check your home’s hot water system settings. Making sure your wash cycle reaches at least 60°C is the only way to guarantee your kitchen stays safe and your dishes come out sparkling.
Cheat Sheet for Dishwashing Temperature & Cycles
Choosing the right dishwasher cycles can be confusing with so many buttons on the front of your machine. To make things easy, we have put together a simple guide with everything you need to know about choosing the right setting for each load. This table shows you the best water temperature for everything from greasy pans to fragile wine glasses, helping you balance food safety with energy efficiency.
| Item Type | Recommended Temp | Best Dishwasher Cycle | Why? |
| Delicate Items (Wine glasses, China) | 40°C - 45°C | Glass/Delicate | Prevents glass clouding and heat stress. |
| Daily Dishes (Plates, Cutlery) | 60°C | Normal/Auto | Melts fats and activates dishwashing sheets. |
| Greasy Pots & Pans | 70°C | Intensive/Heavy | Liquefies stubborn lipids and burnt-on food. |
| Baby Bottles & Hygiene | 70°C - 75°C | Sanitise/Hygiene | Meets food safety standards for bacteria kill. |
| Energy Saving | 45°C - 50°C | Eco | Reduces power but requires longer run times. |
Selecting the right detergent for your dishwasher is important
The success of your dishwasher cycles depends entirely on the detergent you choose. Many common dishwashing tablets are tightly compressed and wrapped in thick plastic. If your water temperature is not hot enough, these hard tablets often fail to dissolve completely. This leaves a gritty, soapy residue on your plates and can even clog your machine’s internal spray arms over time.
Lucent Globe Dishwashing Sheets are made to fix that. They’re thin and dissolve fast even on eco cycles. You never have to worry about finding half-dissolved soap on your cutlery or washing the same load twice.
These dishwasher detergent sheets don't come in a plastic wrap. Each sheet is pre-measured, so there’s no mess. Just grab one, and you’re good to go. Plus, they come in a slim cardboard box that’s fully recyclable and biodegradable, so you can skip the bulky plastic tubs and make a better choice for the environment while saving space in your kitchen.
With the right detergent, your dishes come out clean without wasting water or energy. Lucent Globe makes it simple, no matter what wash and rinse temperature you decide to use.
FAQ
Do I need to rinse my dishes before loading?
No, modern high-temperature dishwashers have sensors that "see" how much food is in the water with the turbidity sensor. If you rinse everything first, the machine might think the dishes are already clean and use a lower, less hygienic water temperature. Just scrape off the solid food and let your detergent do the work.
How Does A Turbidity Sensor Work?
The turbidity sensor sits inside the pump housing at the bottom of the dishwasher. It measures the water clarity during the initial pre-wash phase. Thick water blocks the light beam and triggers a heavy wash cycle. Clear water lets the light pass through and signals a lighter wash.
Can high temperatures damage my dishwasher?
No, modern machines are built to handle a 70°C intensive cycle. However, very high heat can sometimes "cloud" delicate wine glasses or warp cheap plastic containers. To protect your dishes, only use the high-temperature dishwasher setting for sturdy items like ceramic plates, stainless steel, and heavy pots.
Why does my dishwasher smell if I use low temperatures?
If you always wash at 45°C, a layer of "sludge" made of food bits and undissolved fat can build up inside the pipes. This often causes a nasty smell. Clean your dishwasher if this happens.
