A dishwasher does not sterilize, but it does clean and sanitize. For home food preparation, that’s all that’s necessary.

Do dishwashers disinfect dishes?

So, does your dishwasher actually sanitize your dishes? The answer is yes. The hotter the water gets, the more bacteria it will kill. And, using a heated dry option also helps because it keeps your dishwasher at a hot temperature for even longer.

How well do dishwashers sanitize?

Dishwasher sanitize cycles use hotter water and longer wash times to kill 99.999% of food soil bacteria. They’re required by the National Sanitation Foundation to heat water to a minimum of 150°F, although some dishwashers may go above that.