Is A Dishwasher Hot Enough To Sterilize?
A dishwasher typically uses water that is heated to a temperature of 120-140°F for cleaning dishes, which is not hot enough to completely sterilize them. While this temperature is sufficient to eliminate most bacteria and viruses, some hardy microorganisms may survive. To achieve complete sterilization, dishes should be washed with hotter water or subjected to additional disinfection methods, such as boiling, soaking in a sanitizing solution, or using a commercial sterilizer.