I have to say I never had the problem everyone here seems to have.

Starting the dishwasher is a decision we generally take together (and if unilaterally decided, we do tell the others that we programmed it for the night) and in the morning we all know the dishes are clean, and we empty the dishwasher (or hear it being emptied).

But more importantly, if the dishwasher is closed, full and not on (or blinking to indicate programmed for the night) then it has to be clean. If it's partially full then it has to be dirty? unless someone is emptying it right now which you would certainly notice.