The dishwasher is considered essential to making household cleaning easier. Unfortunately, not everything can be put in your dishwasher. There are some items that can be ruined in even gentle dishwasher cycles, while others may cause damage to your dishwasher. So, here we’ll explore the things that should never go in your dishwasher.
Crystal should always be washed by hand as it can react badly to the intense heat of a dishwasher cycle. Hot water can crack, chip or break your fragile crystal items, so take the time to wash your crystal glasses and dishes by hand.
Heat and hot water can cause your wooden items to bend out of shape and warp. You may even find that the finish of your wooden items is dulled by the high water temperatures. If you have wooden bowls, cutting boards or utensils, hand wash them and allow them to air dry to maintain their functionality and beauty.
Your vintage treasures and any items with gold trim should never go in your dishwasher. The detailed patterns of antique or vintage pieces can significantly fade in the dishwasher and detergents can be extremely harsh on these delicate items. To maintain the value and beautiful finish of your vintage or gold rimmed plates and glasses be sure to hand wash them. Any porcelain or ceramic items that aren’t hand painted should be safe in your dishwasher.
Copper pans and pots should be hand washed using mild soap rather than being put in your dishwasher. The harsh dishwasher conditions can cause the copper to tarnish. The same applies to your cast iron skillets that can be vulnerable to tarnishing and rust if put in a dishwasher. You’ll also lose all of that seasoning you’ve built up over weeks, months or years of cooking delicious dishes.
The small holes in graters and sieves can be easily plugged with you place them in a dishwasher. Instead, clean these items with a soft bristled brush.
An insulated mug is a fantastic option to keep your drinks hot or nice and cool for a prolonged period, but if you put yours in the dishwasher, this capability could be lost forever. Insulated mugs feature an inner and outer layer of insulation, and during a dishwasher cycle, the space between these two layers can be filled with water, compromising the insulating effects.
You need to check the manufacturer instructions before you wash any of your non-stick pans. Some brands are dishwasher safe, but some can be ruined by the hot water and heat of the wash cycle. If you’re unsure, it is best to err on the side of caution and hand wash your non-stick pans to avoid ruining their quality.
If you want your knives to stay sharp, you should avoid putting them in your dishwasher. A dishwasher can dull the blades of your knives making them difficult to use. If you want to avoid frustration or needing to continually reach for your knife sharpener, hand wash your sharp knives.
If you have jars or bottles with adhesive labels, they can peel off in your dishwasher to clog the drain. Additionally, pieces of the label can become stuck on some of your other items in the dishwasher cycle to cause a mess once they dry. Instead, hand wash any of your items with sticky adhesive.
We all appreciate that washing dishes can be an unpleasant chore, but taking some time to clean certain things can help to keep these things and your dishwasher in great condition for many years to come.
If you have concerns about your dishwasher, you can rely on a professional home appliance repair specialist for long-term solutions.