When you’re in a rush, it’s easy to throw every dish, utensil, and glass into the dishwasher and call it a day. Although this might be the easiest way to clean those pesky dirty dishes, it’s important to be aware that some items aren’t dishwasher safe. In fact, you could be causing a lot of harm to your favorite china and flatware without even knowing it!
Let’s go over seven things you should never put in a dishwasher.
What Is Dishwasher Safe?
Before we discuss the items you shouldn’t put in your dishwasher, you might be happy to hear that there are many things you can place in your dishwasher. Many types of dishes and flatware can handle high temperatures and strong detergents.
Here are just a few of the items that are known for being dishwasher safe:
What Is Not Dishwasher Safe?
Whether you’ve recently stocked up on new kitchenware or you’ve had the same trusty plates and utensils for years, you know that these items can be expensive. The last thing you want to do is accidentally damage or break them beyond repair.
Unfortunately — your dishwasher can have a hand in causing this damage if you aren’t careful. Your dishwasher is specifically designed to clean a wide range of dishware, but it certainly can’t handle everything. Let’s list some of the items you should always wash by hand.
- Wood Items
Since we’re discussing what is not dishwasher safe, we’ll start with one of the most obvious items: wood. You should avoid putting wood of any kind in your dishwasher, as the harsh detergent can be incredibly damaging to the surface over time. Think cutting boards, spoons, and knives with wooden handles.
The best way to clean wooden items is by hand. You’ll want to use warm water and mild dish soap. Once you’ve washed them, hang them out to dry. You never want to let wooden items sit and soak in water, as this can cause them to become misshapen.
- Certain Knives
There are many things you should never put in a dishwasher — and hollow-handled sterling silver knives are one of them. Many types of sterling silver and stainless steel kitchenware can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but you should avoid anything with a hollow handle. The hot water can cause the blade and the handle to separate.
- Cast Iron
If you want to know what is not dishwasher safe, turn next to your cast iron pots and pans. It’s a fact universally acknowledged: cast iron cookware is difficult to clean. You have to put in a lot of time and effort to get the pans on their way to looking squeaky clean. Despite this, you should avoid the impulse to simply throw your cast iron items into the dishwasher for a quick clean.
Dishwashing detergent can strip away the all-important, non-stick layer on these pots and pans. When this layer is scraped away, it leaves the cast iron vulnerable to rust.
- Insulated Travel Mugs
Of all the things you should never put in a dishwasher, you might be the most surprised to hear about insulated travel mugs and drinkware. When it comes down to it, the high heat of a dishwasher can damage the vacuum seal and make it impossible for the drinkware to hold in its warmth.
Of course, there are some insulated mugs that claim to be “dishwasher safe.” If you notice one of these signs, you’ll still want to be careful of how you clean your mug. Be sure to only use the top rack and avoid the high-heat drying cycle at all costs.
- Pressure Cooker Lids
Pressure cooker lids can collect a lot of gunk, and your first thought might be to throw these items into your dishwasher just like everything else. However, you should certainly clean these lids by hand instead.
When you put a pressure cooker lid in the dishwasher, food particles can become trapped in its valves and vents. If this happens, the pressure cooker can eventually break down.
- Gold-Colored Utensils
If you have fine china or flatware with gold-colored trim, you’ll want to clean these items by hand. Harsh dishwashing detergents can discolor the gold coloring, eventually making it look dull and lifeless.
There are various other things you should never put in a dishwasher since the detergent can discolor them. These types of dishware include milk glasses and other delicate items.
Get the Most Out of Your Dishwasher With Appliance Doctors!
It’s incredibly important to know what is and what is not dishwasher safe. This way, you can avoid replacing your precious and expensive kitchenware in the future.
Is your dishwasher failing to meet your needs? Wave goodbye to unclean dishes for good with a high-quality dishwasher installation in the Cayman Islands! Appliance Doctors offers a broad selection of appliances from top manufacturers. We’re also proud to provide reputable maintenance and repair services to ensure your appliances are working their absolute best.
If you’re ready for a new dishwasher in the Cayman Islands, contact us today for more information!