In the United States, about 80 million households, or 62.5% of the country, have a dishwasher, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, many people aren't using them correctly. If you wash your plates, bowls, or silverware before placing them in the dishwasher, you're not taking advantage of the device designed to make our lives easier. By pre-washing, not only are you wasting water (and money), but you're also not allowing the appliance to clean the dishes properly.