Buzz
For many of us, including myself, life without a dishwasher would be a constant battle. Sure, we’d get by, but we’d be overwhelmed by an ever-growing mountain of pots, pans, dishes, and food storage containers to clean. (Even with a dishwasher, it often feels like the dishes never stop piling up.)
While dishwashers are ideal for everyday plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery, their high heat and strong detergents can damage certain kitchenware. In fact, high-alkaline dishwasher detergents can “dissolve a wide range of materials, including human tissue.” (Scary, right?) To keep your kitchen items in top condition, always wash these by hand.
Avoid washing wooden items in the dishwasher
Cutting boards, wooden utensils, and knives with wooden handles should never go in the dishwasher. The intense heat can cause warping, detergents may leave scratches, and the drying process could lead to cracks. Instead, clean them by wiping, washing gently in warm, soapy water and drying right away, or try this method using baking soda and lemon juice.
Avoid placing china, hand-painted glassware, or crystal in the dishwasher
If I could offer one piece of advice to my younger self who naively curated my wedding registry over a decade ago, it would be this: Avoid registering for anything that isn’t dishwasher-safe. While the china, crystal, and silver-plated utensils I received are stunning and perfect for special occasions, the aftermath of using them leaves me feeling drained and regretful. Delicate hand-painted patterns, intricate gold details, and fragile surfaces simply can’t withstand the harsh environment of a dishwasher.
Additionally, the lead oxide in crystal wine glasses and champagne flutes is vulnerable to the alkaline properties of dishwasher detergent, which can leave them looking cloudy and dull instead of sparkling.
Avoid placing cast-iron and copper cookware in the dishwasher
When a kitchen tool provides you with a perfectly seasoned, naturally nonstick surface and even heat distribution, it deserves proper care. This means keeping cast iron out of the corrosive, rust-prone environment of your dishwasher. Instead, clean it by wiping it with a soft cloth or washing it briefly in mild soapy water, drying it thoroughly, and re-seasoning it right away. While a little soap is fine, avoid prolonged soaking.
Copper, known for its excellent heat conductivity, is also prone to tarnishing. To maintain its shine, never place copper cookware in the dishwasher, as it will lose its luster and become discolored.
It’s best to keep nonstick pots and pans out of the dishwasher as well
The nonstick coating on pots and pans is prone to peeling when exposed to the high temperatures, strong water jets, and constant movement inside a dishwasher. Aggressive detergents can further harm the surface, reducing the longevity of your nonstick cookware. Whenever possible, opt for a quick wipe with a paper towel, a simple steam cleaning, or a mild wash in lukewarm soapy water.
Avoid placing your high-quality kitchen knives in the dishwasher
While everyday dinner knives can handle the dishwasher, your premium steak knives and precision food-prep knives should never go in. The abrasive nature of dishwasher detergent can dull the blades, forcing you into a cycle of constant sharpening. Moreover, the hot water can weaken the handles and lead to rust over time.
Avoid placing cheese graters in the dishwasher
If you were already aware that cheese graters (and garlic presses!) should stay out of the dishwasher, why haven’t you shared this wisdom? First, the numerous tiny blades can lose their sharpness over time, much like high-quality knives. Second, the small openings trap food particles that even the strongest dishwasher jets might not remove. For these reasons, it’s best to soak and hand wash them using a scrub brush.
Avoid placing thin plastic containers in the dishwasher
Some plastic containers, like those for takeout, sour cream, or margarine, are too thin and fragile to handle the dishwasher’s heat. Many will melt, warp, or lose their ability to seal after just one cycle.
Other plastic items are hit or miss. While some bowls and plates are labeled dishwasher-safe (usually indicated on the bottom), they often become rough and scratched after repeated washes. To minimize damage, always place them on the top rack, away from the dishwasher’s heating element.
Avoid placing items with sticky labels in the dishwasher
If you’ve ever seen a grimy glass jar with a partially peeling label and thought, “I’ll just toss it in the dishwasher—the heat will take care of it,” here’s the truth: 1) You’re not alone; I’ve made the same mistake, and 2) It’s a bad idea. The label fragments that come off can clog the filter or drain, potentially leading to costly repairs. And no one wants to deal with a malfunctioning dishwasher.
