This TikTok dishwasher hack will keep your mugs dry

Mugs lined up in a dishwasher upper basket
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We all rely on the best dishwashers to clean our plates and glasses day in, day out. And while stain removal is key in a dishwasher’s performance, we sometimes forget that drying is a fundamental part of the cycle as well — something which many models fall short on. In fact, it’s almost expected that some items, such as mugs, will inevitably gather a puddle of water by the end of the cycle, which you need to tip away and dry separately before storing.

But, before you go blaming your dishwasher, this problem can easily be avoided. All it takes is a small change, which was recently highlighted on TikTok. It's such a revelation that this TikTok dishwasher hack has been trending ever since, and it’s something everyone should know. Follow this advice, and you need never worry about wet mugs again. 

Why do mugs come out wet from the dishwasher?  

Before we go into the solution, we need to understand the problem. There’s a reason certain items won’t dry fully in your dishwasher, and that’s due to their shape. If an item does not have a completely flat bottom when inverted, i.e. the rim forms a shallow dish, water will pool and collect in this space during the wash cycle.  

A white mug being removed from the upper basket in a dishwasher

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

That’s why water often gathers on the underside of mugs and bowls. It can't be drained from this pocket and so the item can’t dry effectively, resulting in a small, inconvenient puddle when it comes to unloading time. This happens whenever there’s an opportunity for water to collect — if you’ve ever made the mistake of loading a glass the wrong way up, you will see the consequences.   

It sounds like there’s no immediate solution to such a problem, but a small change can alleviate it, as demonstrated in this latest TikTok dishwasher hack.

What happens in the TikTok hack?   

In the latest TikTok trend, we see Instragrammer, sidneyraz, attempt to load his mugs at an angle in the dishwasher, to see if this makes a difference. To his surprise and frustration, the mugs are completely dry after a wash cycle. Changing his loading method was all that was required to achieve dry mugs. 

@sidneyraz

♬ original sound - sidneyraz

This would indeed work, because the water would have the opportunity to better drain from the rim of the inverted mug when it’s held at an angle, versus one that’s stacked vertically. In fact, it would work for all kinds of items which may suffer from the same problem. 

Something as simple as changing your dishwasher loading method could therefore save the time of drying the excess water by hand, as well as the potential mess when you fail to notice a puddle and fling it across your floor and kitchen.  

This is why it’s important for all dishwasher owners to learn how to load a dishwasher the right way, and why you should always refer to the manual of the dishwasher for guidance — it will advise what to load in which sections of the baskets for best results. This will vary from model to model as well, so it’s always a good idea to check. 

In terms of the space where your mugs used to be, make sure you only load items with a flat bottom, such as glassware, otherwise puddles will reoccur.

How to get you dishwasher to dry more effectively 

A dishwasher upper basket filled with mugs and colorful glassware

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If all of the items in your dishwasher are coming out wetter than usual, there are a couple of steps you can take: 

  • Open the dishwasher door once the cycle has finished, and leave the load to air-dry for an hour before unloading it. Some dishwashers will open automatically at the end of the cycle to achieve the same goal. 
  • Check the rinse aid levels via the indicator light. Rinse aid is designed to help water rinse away from the plates and glasses, so it technically helps everything dry more effectively. Top it up if necessary.
  • Don’t overload your dishwasher. If items are overcrowded and touching, the residual water won’t dry as quickly.   
  • Start unloading the lower rack first. As soon as you touch the upper rack, it will likely drip residual water all over the lower rack, which wastes all of the previous drying time.
Katie Mortram
Homes Editor

Katie Mortram used to be a Homes Editor for Tom's Guide, where she oversaw everything from kitchen appliances to gardening tools, as well as smart home tech. Specializing in providing expert advice for cleaning and home manintenance, she now works as Household Advice Editor for Good Housekeeping. 

Read more
Dishwasher being loaded
TikTok showed me this genius way of unloading my dishwasher, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner
Cleaning items and lemons
The best (and worst) TikTok cleaning hacks of 2024
Cleaning bathroom taps
A professional cleaner just revealed the most obvious bathroom cleaning hack, and I'm shocked I never thought of it
Dyson V7
I tried this DIY vacuum cleaning hack — and it solved one of my biggest problems
Open dishwasher showing a clean load
Best dishwashers in 2025
Dryer sheets in a box on a dryer
This dryer sheet hack keeps my house smelling fresh, and works instantly
Latest in Kitchen & Dining
SOURHOUSE Goldie
I just discovered this innovative kitchen gadget that takes all the guesswork out of sourdough
Our Place's new Titanium Pro cookware line
Our Place just launched its titanium cookware line which claims to be 300% harder than stainless steel
Le Creuset Gourmand Collections
Le Creuset launches new cookware collection — and it’s smart enough to serve
hario v60 buono gooseneck kettle, a stainless steel kettle with electric base, handle, and gooseneck spout, for specialty coffee
I tested iconic coffee brand Hario’s gooseneck kettle, and it’s left me a little confused
KitchenAid
I'm a home chef and these are the 5 Presidents' Day sales on small appliances I'm adding to my cart
Stanley Trigger Action travel mug part-buried in snow
Stanley issues major recall of 2.6 million travel mugs with faulty lids — what you need to know
Latest in News
(From L to R) Rohan (Nik Dodani), Josh (Brandon Flynn), Dorothy (Edie Falco), John (Dean Norris), and Liddie (Lisa Kuthrow) in The Parenting
Max top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE renders
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE price leak is bad news for budget-conscious buyers
Google Assistant
Gemini to kill off Google Assistant on most Android phones — here's what you need to know
MacBook Air M4
MacBook Air M4 teardown reveals familiar repairability pain points
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 15 (#643)
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades