Battle grease and caked-on food with Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs. The mineral ingredients in these packs go to war with all the residue left from your meals — so you don’t have to do it yourself with a sponge and elbow grease. Single-dose packs take the guesswork and spillage out of measuring detergent, too.

For more cleaning products from this cruelty- company, shop Seventh Generation on Grove.

Should I rinse my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher?

Bottom line? Nope! You’ll save time, money, and water if you don’t. Plus, most modern dishwashers have a special sensor that judges just how hard it needs to work to get your dishes clean — if you scrub ‘em down too much, it might get the wrong idea and perform a lighter wash than you’d like. Let the detergent and the appliance do the work for you.

Why aren’t some dishes dishwasher-safe?

Some insulated mugs are not dishwasher-safe because the heat of the appliance will damage the vacuum seal between the layers. Wood is not considered dishwasher-safe, either, as it can easily warp and crack. Plastics are also not dishwasher-safe, and even if they are they should be washed on the top rack as far away from the heating element as possible to keep harmful chemicals at bay. Though you could send your sharp knives through the dishwasher, be aware that this may dull them over time! It’s to wash them by hand with dish soap.