If you’re feeling lazy (we all are), here’s the easiest path: Use the sanitize cycle and make sure your dishes are bone-dry before you put them away. Heat from the drying cycle helps, too. But if your dishwasher is a budget model from 2005 that sounds like a lawnmower, you’ll need a backup plan.
Another pro tip: Don’t use the "quick wash" or "light" cycle. Those are like giving your dishes a gentle rinse with a garden hose. They won’t even touch the scary stuff. Save those for after the advisory lifts, okay?
And whatever you do, never open the dishwasher mid-cycle to “check” if the water is boiling. That’s how you get a face full of steam and a sad, wet shirt. Just trust the process.
The "Wait, I'm a Worrier" Method (For Overachievers)
If you’re the type who triple-checks the lock on your front door, listen up. The absolute safest move is to run the dishwasher empty with a little bleach (about a teaspoon) on a heavy-duty, sanitize cycle first. This nukes any bacteria lurking in the pipes. Then, load it up and run a second cycle with your dishes.
But wait—don’t use bleach with stainless steel! It’ll pit your shiny pots. Only do this once, before you load the dishes. For the actual dishwashing, use a dishwasher detergent that contains bleach (like Cascade or Finish). That adds an extra layer of “die, bacteria, die!”
Can You Use Dishwasher During Boil Water Advisory? Safe Tips!
And here’s a laugh: if you’re really paranoid, you can hand-wash your dishes with bottled water and a scrub brush. You’ll feel like a pioneer, except you’ll have Netflix on in the background. It’s a vibe.
