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Re-activateAs if Thanksgiving wasn't freighted with enough family baggage, after dinner comes the highly charged battle over how to load the dishwasher. As the host, it may be hard to turn down guests who volunteer to help cleaning up. That is, until they load your dishwasher "wrong." Then you become appliance czar.
Loading a dishwasher involves various techniques, enough to cause bickering between spouses and siblings. What better way to end a fine meal than arguing over forks—up or down?—fine china—yes or no? Some procedures, like careful placement, do guarantee that dishes are cleaned properly and emerge unscathed, dishwasher intact. The dishwasher detergent matters, too, as our Ratings show. Here are eight tips from our experts:
To keep china from chipping, don't allow dishes to touch other items, especially pots and pans. If you decide to hand wash your fine china and porcelain, line your sink with an old towel to prevent chipping and use a mild dish detergent.
—Kimberly Janeway
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