A countertop dishwasher in a rental

Countertop dishwashers on Amazon come in two kinds. One connects to your faucet, which means installing a faucet splitter (分岐水栓) to divert water from the tap. The other is the tank type (タンク式): you pour water into the tank yourself each time, plug it in and it's ready to go, no plumbing involved.

If you're renting and want to install a faucet splitter, it's best to give the management company a heads-up first. Different faucets need different splitters, and Panasonic's website lets you look them up by faucet model number. Keep the original parts you take off and put them back when you move out. If you'd rather not bother, get a tank type; Panasonic's SOLOTA, siroca and Iris Ohyama all make them.

Most faucet-connected models hold a family's dishes from one meal, while small ones like the SOLOTA only take about six items, which suits someone living alone. Before buying, measure the width and depth of the counter next to your sink, check the height up to any wall cabinet above it, and make sure the drain hose can reach the sink.

Use dishwasher-only detergent (食洗機専用); regular dish soap will make a mountain of suds. Big pots basically won't fit, and bowls with dried rice stuck on them should soak for a while before they go in. When the cycle's done, open the door and leave it for a bit; the dishes dry faster.