The dishwasher was designed to ease the burden of cleaning your dishes by hand. While the dishwasher does ease this burden, it does not totally eliminate it. Some items should never be washed in dishwashers, while others should only be washed with caution. If you have any doubts about what can or cannot go into a dishwasher, just wash it by hand.
Any items made out of wood should never be placed inside a dishwasher. This includes spoons, cutting boards, chopsticks and bowls. This also applies to utensils that only contain a wooden handle. If you do place wooden items in a dishwasher, the wood will expand over time, and the item will crack, split or warp. Instead, simply wash these items by hand, using bleach and warm water. Rinse off the items with soap and water. Dry the items immediately so they do not remain damp for too long.
Plastics should have a label clarifying whether they are dishwasher-safe or not. If you do not see a label, play it safe and wash these items by hand. Smaller plastic items should be placed on the upper racks. If it's placed on the lower racks, the drying cycle can have a negative effect on the item, causing it to melt or warp. Larger plastic items --- such as family-sized salad bowls --- that cannot fit in the upper racks should be washed by hand.
Pans and Glasses
Pots and pans made of stainless steel are fine to wash in a dishwasher, but pots and pans made of aluminum should be washed with caution. If you wash aluminum excessively with a dishwasher, the color will begin to fade over time due to the rinse cycle. If this isn't an issue for you, than use the dishwasher to clean aluminum as frequently as you like. If it is, then remove the aluminum before the rinse cycle and rinse it by hand. Most glassware is suitable for a dishwasher, except lead crystal glassware.
Regardless of what you put inside the dishwasher, make sure to rinse it off first. For example, never place a plate with leftover food items on it in the dishwasher. Pots and pans that have gunk --- or burnt food --- stuck to them should be soaked overnight before being placed in a dishwasher. This will prevent the gunk from spreading to the other items inside the machine. If you have a saucepan with burned residue, soak it overnight with water and dishwashing detergent. In the morning, scrape the loosened residue away.
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
What is Dishwasher Detergent Made of?
Dishwashing liquid keeps our dishes sparkling clean and ready for the next meal. It's also handy in a pinch if you run...
How to Prevent Cloudy Glassware in the Dishwasher
How frustrating to pull your clean dishes out of the dishwasher - only to find a thick film of residue has coated...
Instructions for a Miele Incognito Dishwasher
If you have recently installed a Miele Incognito dishwasher in your home, you must know how to use it before putting on...
What Happens If Cast Iron Is Put in the Dishwasher?
Cast iron pans are old-fashioned kitchen items that still perform as well today as they did in our grandparents' time. Many people...
Can You Put Pots and Pans in the Dishwasher?
Faced with the residue from a big meal, it’s tempting to toss everything into the dishwasher and close the door. But in...
Why Shouldn't You Put Wooden Spoons in the Dishwasher?
Wooden spoons are advantageous kitchen utensils because they will not scratch nonstick cookware, and wood as a material is durable and lightweight....
Can a Granite Countertop Be Placed on the Top of a Dishwasher?
The dishwasher is a common kitchen appliance, installed directly to the right or left of the sink base cabinet. Some dishwashers may...