Cutting Boards, Paintbrushes and Lingerie? Here Are 20 Things You Should Never Put in the Dishwasher
It might be tempting, but these items should stay out of the dishwasher.
Our dishwashers are one of our most desired kitchen appliances when it comes time for clean-up. Although it's not a necessary appliance, many of us have them to ease our workload. We love not having to handwash every dish, utensil and pan. In fact, some are tempted, or even try, using the dishwasher to clean other objects around the home. Some of these items are okay to clean in the dishwasher but there are definite things you shouldn't put in the dishwasher.
It would seem that the dishwasher could clean anything that could fit in it. And, there are non-dishware items that many people do clean in the dishwasher like silicone oven mitts, vases, switch plates or kids' bath toys, and these are all okay. However, there are other things that could damage either the dishwasher itself or the item that you want to clean.
To save yourself some heartache from inadvertently damaging any of your valuables, we've put together a list of some of the things that you should never put in the dishwasher. Here are 20 things that might be the most tempting to put in the dishwasher but should be avoided at all costs.
Related: Which Uses More Water: A Dishwasher or Doing Dishes by Hand?
20 Things to Never Put In Your Dishwasher
1. Fine China
After having guests over for a fancy dinner, it can be really tempting to throw the fine china into the dishwasher. However, this could be detrimental to any antique, hand-painted or metal-rimmed dishes. They could easily fade from the high heat of the dishwasher or chip from clinking against other items.
2. Crystal
Delicate crystal also runs the risk of chipping in the dishwasher. The hot water is not a friend to crystal and could cause chipping or cracking.
3. Takeout Containers
The thin plastic of a takeout container can easily melt from the high heat used in both the wash and dry cycles of the dishwasher. Although thicker plastics like bath toys could be safe, thin plastic is more likely to melt.
Related: Why Doesn't Plastic Dry in the Dishwasher?
4. Wooden Items
Forget about throwing that wooden cutting board or wooden utensils in the dishwasher. Long exposure to high heat and moisture will cause the wood to warp and splinter.
5. Cast Iron
Cast iron pans or kettles should never be put in the dishwasher because the detergent will cause the cast iron to rust. Not only that, the necessary seasoning of a cast iron pan will be removed in the dishwasher.
6. Knives
The high temperature and moisture of the dishwasher will also damage knives very quickly. Plus, the water jets can cause the knives to move around and clink against other items which can damage the edge.
7. Insulated Mugs
Don't pop your mug in the dishwasher to clean it. It could damage the seal and cause the mug to not be airtight anymore. Also, water can seep between the inner and outer layers of insulation causing mold to grow.
8. Copper Pots, Pans and Mugs
The dishwasher will cause a copper finish to tarnish or dull from the harsh washing. To preserve the pretty finish, hand wash instead. The same is true for any aluminum cookware.
9. Non-stick Pans
Non-stick pans shouldn't be cleaned in the dishwasher because it will take away the protective coating of the pans. The salt, detergent and water pressure are what damage the coating.
10. Gold Plated Flatware
Dishwasher detergent and gold plating do not go together. The detergent will cause dark spots on your beautiful flatware that can't be removed.
Related: Stainless Steel Pans Definitely Get Stained and Sticky, so Here’s How To Clean Yours
11. Printed Measuring Cups
If you want to keep the intended function of your measuring cups, don't put them in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergent will remove the printed measurements on the cups, making them useless.
12. Paintbrushes
The dishwasher is hard on paintbrushes and paintbrushes are hard on the dishwasher. Brush bristles and wooden handles can get damaged in the dishwasher. However, even worse, the paint coming off the brushes can clog the dishwasher as well as circulate toxins.
13. Milk Glass
One good way to ruin the creamy white color of milk glass is to put it in the dishwasher. The detergent will cause the color to yellow.
14. Plates You've Glued Back Together
If you've repaired a dish with glue, wash it by hand. The hot water and harsh detergent used in the dishwasher can dissolve adhesives, even if the adhesives are waterproof.
15. Car or Machine Parts
People have been known to wash their car parts in the dishwasher. This is unsafe because the grease on any of the parts can clog your dishwasher as it cycles through. Then, the dishwasher will be less effective in cleaning your dishes.
16. Containers With Plastic Labels
Dishwashers will loosen and remove pieces of the paper labels from bottles and jars. The pieces of paper can then collect in the drain of the dishwasher or stick on other dishes, which makes your dishwashing ineffective.
Related: How To Clean Your Instant Pot So It Looks Like It Just Came Out of the Box
17. Food Graters
Like knives, the harshness of a dishwasher can ruin the blades of a food grater.
18. Lingerie
It's not good to wash lingerie in the washing machine because of the agitation. So, some try to use the dishwasher instead. The problem is that laundry soap isn't good in a dishwasher and dishwasher detergent is too harsh on lingerie.
19. Antique Figurines
Delicate items are always best hand-washed as the dishwasher is too harsh with the high heat and detergent.
20. Hand-painted Ceramics
Anything hand-painted will not hold up over time if washed in the dishwasher. The artwork will literally go down the drain.
Next Up: This Step-by-Step Guide Shows How To Clean an Oven Yourself Using a Natural, Homemade Paste
