Previously at Neatorama, there has been talk (and even song) about how to load a dishwasher. The people at Lifehacks put together a list that tells us things we might be doing wrong on a daily basis, and number four is loading a dishwasher. Their demonstration of the "right way" is this video by Chow.
Personally, I think it would kill me to load in dishes that dirty without pre-rinsing. I'm not certain that my dishwasher would get all of that mess off my dishes, which the video assures me is wrong. Maybe I'll do an experiment around that premise... or maybe not. Time will tell.
But regardless of my dishwasher babble, check out the other nine things you might be doing wrong on a daily basis and let me know what you think of their list. Via Unique Daily.
I use the Kirkland brand that is made for Costco, which is a pretty good price and does not require the addition of a rinse agent.
When I first moved into my house a year ago, the dishwasher was a mess from the prior owner using a powder. As I used my liquid, I could see the interior getting cleaner and cleaner on a daily basis, until all the film and deposits were totally gone within a couple of months.
Me? I use whatever pre-measured packets are the cheapest along with plenty of rinse agent. If the dishes are especially gnarly, TSP in the prewash.