Why does plastic stay wet in the dishwasher?

Plastic stays wet in the dishwasher because it doesn’t let water run off easily.

Plastic is like a sponge, but not as soft or bumpy, it’s smoother and flatter, which makes it harder for water to just drop away. In the dishwasher, water sprays all over the dishes, and when it hits the plastic, it sticks around instead of going somewhere else.

Water is like a friend who doesn’t want to leave. When it lands on something smooth, like plastic, it tries to stay close by. Plastic doesn’t have tiny holes or ridges that help water escape quickly, so the water just hangs around, even after the dishwasher stops.

Paper plates are more like a mop, with lots of little bumps and ridges that let water run off easily. That’s why they get dry faster in the dishwasher. But plastic is smoother and flatter, so it keeps feeling wet, just like how your hands feel when you come out of the bath.

So next time you see a plastic plate still wet after the dishes are done, remember: it's just being extra friendly with the water!