The Whirlpool WPW10175277 Dishwasher Retainer has become an insignificant but essential component of your dishwasher's racking mechanism. It operates by securing the tines to the upper or lower dish rack, preventing them from obtaining loose or being taken out during the wash cycle. This holds your dishes firmly in place throughout the wash, avoiding them from swaying, falling, and potentially destroying. The retainer is an easy clip-on mechanism which connects to every tine on the dish rack. It is interoperable with Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Inglis, and Magic Chef dishwasher models. A impaired or loosened retainer could produce rattling noises throughout the wash cycle and may not hold dishes strongly, which leads to chipping or breaking.