Dig licking plates before going into dishwasher - ick or not

Even if the dishwasher is guaranteed to wash properly and kill all microbes 100% of the time, the thought of a dog licking the plates first is, at best, highly unpleasant for many people, and reduces or even completely kills enjoyment of the food. The fact that this never occurred to you, is a little troubling. If you are determined to continue this practice, it isn’t something you should do when you have guests.

I am surprised that your dishwasher washes at 90 degrees in these days of EU regulations to cut carbon emissions. The highest setting on mine is 65 degrees. Moreover, appliances can malfunction and I know that washing machines have been found to often not reach the temperatures claimed by manufacturers, or not to stay at microbe-killing temperatures for long enough to do the job. These were washing machines that were working as intended, not even faulty ones.

Also, many people load dishwashers poorly. I say to my family, ‘It’s a dishwasher, not a magic washer!’. If it isn’t loaded with sufficient spacing, but everything is crammed in, there’s only so much those jets of water can do.

People dying, or even getting ill, is low standard. If you want your guests to be happy taking refreshment at your home without thinking of the dog licking the plate after eating the cat’s poo, don’t do this.

The op's family saw what was going on. Similarly if I went to a friend's house who said 'here please use the fork I used after giving my dh a bj' <tmi surely> I'd say no thanks.

We of course will all be unknowingly exposed to the poor hygiene practises of others. However the op and those supporting her should not be surprised when others are repelled by their poor habits when we see them.

For those with pets who don’t put the pet bowls in the dishwasher, how are you cleaning them?

Absolutely love my dog, but…no

I bet you pee your bed too - it'll get washed, right?

Admit it OP, you wanted to see if you could set a Mumsnet record for the use of the words grim, vile and disgusting, didn't you? 😅

I wouldn't be particularly bothered by it. I've had illnesses passed to me plenty of times via other humans, although not necessarily by dishes, but never via a dog.

Oh, and I'm American. Once a week is fine for sheet changing (linen and ironed is my preference), but it is true that hanging them out can exacerbate pollen allergies/hay fever as pollen blows around and lands on the sheets. If you have allergies in the family, you're best off drying indoors.

Sorry but dog licking a plate is disgusting

i believe most dog owners do that

Huge pet hate of mine

its gross and I wouldn’t ever eat off a plate that I knew if.

don’t like that at all

I think your DIL reaction was wildly over the top.

My dog does attempt to board the dishwasher to inspect/lick the plates but we don't line the plates up for her.
(Except when it is dippy egg and soldier and then she gets to like the plate)

Children are much healthier who grow up in houses with dogs-

here is an AI overview of googling the query:

Yes, raising children in a home with dogs can offer several health benefits, particularly in strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of allergies and asthma. Studies suggest that early exposure to dogs can lead to a more robust immune system, potentially protecting children from various illnesses. Additionally, dogs can provide emotional and social support, leading to improved mental health and well-being.

I don’t think it’s the fact that people don’t think there’s anything wrong with it per se, it’s just perhaps one of those things that whilst your ok with it, others might not be. Like a lot of things in life we might shield from friends and family. Off topic, and not comparable with the dog thing, but I love trashy reality TV. I have a couple of friends who I know would probably be horrified that I am a fan of MAFS and Love Island, so I don’t share with them that I watch it. You’re usually sufficiently self aware as to know what you can and can’t share with people, which is why I’m surprised OP would have shared this with anyone outside of the people she lives with.

Well, this thread has certainly sorted the primitives from the civilised! 😅

We do it but not do this in front of guests as I know people could be uncomfortable with it. Let me be clear that this is only for dishes that go into the dishwasher. I can 100% understand why people wouldn’t be ok with this but I have faith in my dishwasher. If I were your DIL and I saw something disgusting going on that might impact my children, I would wait and tell my husband on the way home, not have it out then and there.

I can’t believe how many people think this is so disgusting 😂 as long as it’s washed who cares!

Yuk. I wouldn't eat at yours if I knew that

It's gross and installs bad manners in your dogs.

But then, we knew a couple who used to.let the dogs lick the plates and just put them back in the cupboard. Dogs tongues are hygienic apparently.

I never eat at other people's houses.

Do your humans eat shit with their cutlery and lick their bums with their saliva?

Absolutely disgusting

I've survived using plates that have been licked clean by dogs and then washed up or put in the dishwasher. No drama, and absolutely no risk.

I guess they are talking about low temperature cycles, because salmonella is killed at about 60C.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119489943

We expect dishwashers to cope with utensils used with raw chicken.

Massive dog lover. Also a dog owner.

But that is fucking disgusting.

Wouldn't bother me; do people not understand what a dishwasher is for? Can't see how it's much worse than the human saliva on cutlery which all goes in just the same.

We don't have a dog, but we do have a cat! His bowls go in the dishwasher with everything else.

@ScarlettOYara and @JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn a lot of dog owners on here (me included) have said they don't let their dogs do it and find the thought of it revolting.

You are right.
I grew up with dogs and the doggy "pre-wash". My dog does a great job of getting rid of the burnt on stuff.

It's irrelevant whether it's dangerous or not - it's utterly disgusting. You may as well pick your nose, wipe it on the plate and say it's OK because it's going in the dishwasher. Or wipe the floor with a face flannel before washing it on high temp.

Do whatever gross things you like in private, but spare your poor guests.