Various plastic bowls and lids lie disorderd on each other

When Plastics Will Just Not Dry

Whitepaper

Plastics have become part and parcel of our everyday lives. Hence, plastic dishware is to be found in virtually every home alongside the usual glass and porcelain. In child-care facilities and nursing homes, the breakproof properties of plastics combined with their light weight have also made them indispensable products of choice. Similarly, reusable plastic items are increasingly used in the ‘to-go’ sector with a view to avoiding the use of disposable plates and packaging, etc. The downside, though, is that dishes are often not completely dry on removal from the dishwasher. What is the reason for this and how can the additional effort involved in manual drying be avoided?

Increased Workload and Less Time Through Wet Plastic Dishware

From bird’s-eye view: A breakfast table in a kindergarten with groceries on plastic plates, in plastic cups and with plastic cutlery. Children and nurses sitting around the table.

After dishwashing, people simply expect to be able to remove dishes from the machine and put it into a cupboard for storage. But a glance into the dishwasher often reveals that porcelain, glass and metal parts are dry, whilst plastic dishware is still wet. The unpleasant consequence: Plastic items have to be rinsed and dried by hand in order to remove detergent and water residue and avoid stains. At the end of the day, this means an increased workload, taking valuable time away from more important work. Furthermore, freshly washed dishes can be recontaminated by soiled tea-towels or through hand contact. This is a set of circumstances which should be avoided at all costs in institutions with high demands on hygiene.

Why Are Plastic Items Still Wet After Dishwashing?

On a plastic tray on a kitchen worktop: stacked plastic bowls and plastic cutlery in a measuring cup.

There are several reasons why plastic dishes do not dry well after dishwashing. One key reason for this are the properties of the material. In contrast to porcelain for example, plastic stores less latent heat, resulting in surface water not evaporating properly and dishes often remaining wet. As plastic items of dishware are only light-weight, the pressure of the jets of water from the spray arms may easily dislodge items.

This results in water collecting in hollow vessels and in the bases of upturned items. This is often the case when dish items are not properly positioned in the first place. Water from the wash cycle which collects inside items and in depressions is unable to drain off.

How Can Wet Dishware Be Avoided After Dishwashing?

Stacked colourful reusable plastic plates and cups on a white background. In front, colourful cups with reusable cutlery in it and two drink-training-cups for children.

Plastic dishware should be properly and securely positioned in the dishwasher. This ensures that items remain in position throughout the cycle and that wash water is able to drain off freely. Special-purpose inserts and baskets can be helpful in positioning and securing items. In addition to this, dishwashers support the drying process with an additional drying phase. This is geared to the properties of plastics and results in excellent results.

Summary

Plastic dishware is often still wet after dishwashing on account of its material properties. But by properly positioning dishes in the machine, it is possible to achieve good drying results and save time for more important work. Similarly, the use of special dishwasher baskets and inserts is recommended. Additional drying phases designed for plastics are recommended above all from a hygienic perspective. This way, even plastic dishware is thoroughly dried and ready for use again fast.

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