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Your dishwasher is designed to allow you to eliminate one more chore from your daily list to keep your household functioning seamlessly. Instead of having to wash your dishes by hand, you can simply load them into a dishwasher and have the appliance do the cleaning for you.

But, in order for your dishwasher to properly clean your dishes, you need to make sure it has access to the tools it needs to do the job. In fact, there should be one thing you add to every single load that many people had no idea existed.

One man on TikTok named Blue is particularly passionate about dishwashers and how they work, and has "begged" people to make sure they add one specific item to their next load, as it could help ensure that their glasses come out sparkling and there's no food or soap residue left on their plates.

Blue explained that he realised this was a problem most people don't know about when he was staying in a holiday let and the dishwasher had "all-in-one" dishwasher tablets, which he insisted "don't exist".

He claimed that, no matter what tablets or detergent you buy, you must always add another item to your dishwasher - rinse aid.

He said: "I would like to talk about rinse aid. I would like to talk about how if you're not using this in your dishwasher, please start using it. It's so affordable."

Rinse aid is designed to improve washing and drying by reducing the surface tension of the water so that it sheets off your dishes. This can prevent streaks and water stains, and is especially useful in areas with hard water.

You don't need to top up your rinse aid every time you use your dishwasher, but it will dispense some product during every cycle. Blue claimed his rinse aid lasts him about 20 washes before he has to fill up the slot again.

He added: "Just by own-brand rinse aid, you don't need to buy any fancy brands. It's a very simple product. But, essentially, it reduces the surface tension of the water during the rinse cycle, which means the water will sheet off your glasses, your crockery, whatever is in your dishwasher, a lot faster than if it didn't have rinse aid.

"This means your dishes will most likely come out a lot sparklier with fewer hard water spots. It's a phenomenal product."

Many commenters on Blue's video said they'd never even heard of rinse aid before seeing his clip. Some even said they'd started using it recently and couldn't believe the difference it made.

One person said: "I have to admit, I can be a bit lackadaisical about rinse aid and salt. I promise to do better!"

Another added: "Thank you for the educational video. I feel like I need a series now of things like this we should really know."

Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines for your specific appliance. However, if you need some general cleaning guidelines, these tips may help:

1. Clean the filter

• Locate the filter (usually at the bottom).
• Remove it and rinse under hot water.
• Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to scrub away debris.
• Replace the filter.

2. Wipe the door and seals

• Use a damp cloth or sponge with warm, soapy water.
• Clean around the door edges, gasket (rubber seal), and hinges.
• For stubborn grime, use a toothbrush or a baking soda paste.

3. Check and clean the spray arms

• Remove spray arms if possible.
• Rinse under water and use a toothpick to clear any clogged holes.

4. Run a cleaning cycle

• Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack.
• Run a hot water cycle (empty dishwasher).
• For more stubborn grime, run another short hot water cycle with one cup of baking soda in your dishwasher.