17 Surprising Items You Can Clean in Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is capable of cleaning much more than just your plates and glasses. Explore our list below to see some unexpected items, like baseball caps and bath toys, that can be cleaned this way. This guide may even spark ideas for other items to try. Keep in mind these tips—and be sure to steer clear of these six items that should never be washed in the dishwasher.

Stay away from natural materials such as wood and leather

The combination of heat and moisture can cause wood to warp, dry out, and leather to crack. It's safer to stick to materials that are known to be dishwasher-friendly, like glass, metal, and plastic.

Place it on the top rack

The top rack is positioned further from the heating element in your dishwasher, meaning items placed there will face less intense heat. If you're unsure whether something is dishwasher-safe, the top rack is a safer option to prevent warping or melting.

Skip the heated drying cycle if uncertain

This is mainly to avoid potential warping or melting of items in the dishwasher. Instead, you can let them air dry to keep them safe.

Items You Can Clean in the Dishwasher (Apart from Dishes)

1. Bath Toys

Bath toys tend to accumulate mold and fungus. Running them through your dishwasher can help give them a deep clean.

2. Swedish Dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths are a breeze to clean in the dishwasher. Just toss them on the top rack and let your dishwasher handle the cleaning process.

3. Baseball Caps

Hear us out: your baseball cap can actually be washed in the dishwasher's top rack. To keep it in shape, you can use a special plastic frame or attach it to one of the prongs on the top rack to secure it.

Just make sure to use a detergent free of citric acid or bleach, as these can bleach your hat. Also, avoid using the heated dry cycle, as it can distort the cap. If you have a vintage cap or one you're particularly fond of, consider these steps to wash it by hand instead.

4. Glass Light Fixtures

Glass shades and globes from pendant or flush-mount light fixtures can be detached and placed in the dishwasher to remove dust and dirt. Since they're fragile, it's recommended to place them on the top rack only and avoid the heated drying cycle to prevent any damage.

5. Pacifiers and Teething Rings

Give your baby's binkies and other teething toys a good, thorough clean on your dishwasher's top rack or in the utensil carrier to help ensure that they're germ-free.

6. Brushes

As long as the brushes don't have a wooden handle or boar and natural bristles, you can pop them in the dishwasher for a wash cycle. That includes kitchen scrub brushes and produce brushes, but also some of your beauty products—like hair brushes and plastic combs. Just put them in the top rack or the utensil bin, and make sure that you pull out any hair beforehand to avoid clogging your dishwasher drain.

7. Toothbrush Holders

Toothbrush holders can become pretty dirty over time, especially with all the germs they encounter in the bathroom. If it's made of metal, plastic, or glass, feel free to toss it in the dishwasher to give it a fresh clean.

8. Organizing Accessories

We all appreciate a good organizing system, but they often accumulate crumbs, makeup, and other debris too quickly. If the organizers are made from dishwasher-safe materials like glass, plastic, or silicone, just empty them out and pop them in the dishwasher. (And don't forget to declutter while you're at it!)

9. Soap Dishes

For something whose whole existence is about holding a cleaning product, soap dishes get scummy and dirty fast. Again, as long as it's porcelain, plastic, or another dishwasher-friendly material, you can probably dish-wash it. (Skip the wooden ones!)

10. Nail Care Tools

Your mani-pedi tools can be placed in the utensil section of your dishwasher for a thorough cleaning before your next at-home manicure session.

11. Pet Toys

Plastic, rubber, or silicone pet toys can easily be cleaned in the dishwasher, effectively removing dirt, germs, and any leftover peanut butter.

12. Golf Balls

You can clean your golf balls in the dishwasher, but you'll need a mesh bag to keep them together.

13. Silicone Kitchen Tools

Silicone is dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant, which means you can easily clean items like trivets, baking mats, and oven mitts in the dishwasher.

14. Phone Cases

You can clean plastic or silicone phone cases in the dishwasher, just make sure to place them on the top rack and remove any accessories, such as a case charm—and don’t forget to take out your phone!

15. Microwave Turntable

When you're cleaning your microwave, consider letting your dishwasher handle scrubbing the turntable instead of doing it manually.

16. Vacuum Cleaner Attachments

Most vacuum cleaner attachments are dishwasher-safe. Just place them on the top rack to avoid any warping.

17. Cabinet Handles and Knobs

If your knobs are made from plastic or glass, they can usually be cleaned in the dishwasher. To prevent small items from falling into the bottom of the dishwasher, use a mesh bag or place them in the utensil holder.