Fortunately, many of the items we use in the kitchen everyday can safely be cleaned in the dishwasher, and a quick look at the manufacturers instructions or at the symbols sometimes displayed on them, can guide us better. However, it can be all too easy to assume that something can be put into the dishwasher, when doing so could actually ruin it.
To help you get it right when it comes to loading your dishwasher (and can we just take a minute to appreciate the worth of these amazing, time saving machines!), here are a few pointers:
What you should not put inside a dishwasher
The harsh cleaning methods of a dishwasher may be too extreme for the following common kitchen items, and could result in them becoming warped, broken or rusty:
- Dishes or mugs with labels attached
- Wooden cutting boards
- Copper cookware
- Crystal
- Cheese graters
- High quality chefs knives
- Wooden utensils
- Aluminum cookware
- Burnt cookware
- Garlic presses
- Antique china
- Insulated mugs
What you can put inside a dishwasher
Nowadays, many kitchen items are labelled ‘dishwasher safe’ if they’re able to resist the high temperatures and intense cleaning cycles of a dishwasher, making it much easier to know what can and can’t go into one. Here are ten kitchen items that can safely be placed inside a dishwasher for cleaning:
- Silicone and metal utensils
- Scrub brushes and sponges
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking trays, muffin tins and other metal (stainless steel) bakeware
- Baking pans made of Pyrex or stoneware
- Plastic or wood composite cutting boards
- Ceramic plates and bowls
- Kitchen scissors
How to tell if an item is dishwasher safe
If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to put a kitchen item in your dishwasher, you will likely see a symbol such as a plate or glass with water drops above it on the item, or a label that reads ‘dishwasher safe’, telling you that it’s perfectly safe for it to be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Not every item will tell you though, so it’s important to remember some basics, such as the fact that aluminum isn’t dishwasher safe, while stainless steel is. If there’s no label or symbol on the item in question, check the original box or manufacturers website for more information.
Tips for the safe loading of your dishwasher
Your dishwasher is an expensive piece of kit, so it’s important to show it the respect it deserves and keep it working at its best, for longer.
There are two basic things to do to preserve the life of your dishwasher, and these are:
- give items with a lot of debris stuck to them, a quick rinse; this will stop the machine from clogging and will keep sticky reside off your dishes after they’ve been washed.
- Use a cheap and effective combination of vinegar and baking soda to rinse your dishwasher and ensure that it cleans everything you put inside it, effectively.
The dishwasher is a fantastic invention that many of us rely on everyday; making our lives easier and cleaner. However, fail to take care of it, and you just might be back to washing dishes in the sink, and wouldn’t that be a frightful bore!
