Dishwashers were a blessing when they started popping up in homes in the 1950s. Finally, a quick way to tackle a big batch of dirty dishes! But as much as we love them, they’re not a cure-all – and some items need good old-fashioned hand-washing. Here’s what you should keep far away from the rinse cycle:
1. A Cast-iron frying Pan
You know how you have to season your cast-iron frying pan before using it? Well, when you put it in the dishwasher, you’re basically undoing all of that hard work. Instead, rinse it in warm water (no soap!) or rub it clean with salt.
2. Any Wooden Utensils
The hot water and heat for drying is too harsh for your mixing spoons, spatulas or any other tool with wood on it. The material may warp and lose its shape, making them no good for stirring.
3. Your Wooden Cutting Boards
Like the wooden spoons, hot water will cause the finish of your favourite wooden board to dull and possibly warp. Instead, use a mixture of ¾ cup chlorine bleach and 4 litres of water to scrub it clean.
4. Your Granny’s Vintage Plates
If you were gifted the family china when you got married, be wary of exposing it to the hot water and detergents that can eat away at any gold trim or hand-painted details.
5. Your Garlic Press
Garlic presses speed up supper, but you’ll need to slow down to clean them. Since garlic is sticky in paste form, bits of it get stuck in the crevices. Wash yours by hand to ensure it’s totally spotless for your next meal-prep session.
6. An Insulated Mug
Some newer travel mugs are dishwasher safe, but for others, your dishwasher will destroy the insulating materials after water gets trapped between the layers.
7. Bottles With Labels Still on Them
If you want to keep your jam jar, make sure you remove the paper label and any adhesive remnants first – those materials usually come off in the dishwasher and can get stuck in the filter, which might lead to more serious problems later (problems that cost far more to repair than the jam jar is worth).
8. Any Aluminium Cookware
According to Sharon Franke, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, any cookware that is made of aluminium will discolour your dishwasher. Eek! This goes for the disposable stuff too.
9. Your Cheese Grater
The cheesy goodness you just sprinkled on top of your tacos might still be stuck in the holes even after a cycle in dishwasher. Instead, use soap and a sponge to wash it by hand and ensure today’s cheddar doesn’t mix with tomorrow’s mozzarella.
10. Your Fancy Chef Knives
Since the hard plastic in your dishwasher shouldn’t be nicked, you should keep your knives far away from it, says Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. But if your dishwasher has a rack for knives, you’re the exception to the rule. Lucky you!
11. Copper Pots, Pans, and Mugs
According to Franke, the harshness of the dishwasher can cause any copper surfaces to dull. Hand wash your copper mugs, pots and pans instead.
12. Cookware with Burnt Stains
So you let the potatoes sit in the oven for a little too long and now you have dark, stubborn crust on your glass baking dish. Since it’ll take some serious elbow grease to tackle it (plus some bicarbonate of soda!), the dishwasher won’t cut it. Just roll up your sleeves and get working.
13. Your Crystal
Keep your punch bowl and glasses far, far away: the high water temperature may leave your crystal chipped, cracked or dull. But you can check with the manufacturer – some crystal is dishwasher safe. Just make sure it’s anchored securely so it doesn’t rattle and break.
