You finish dinner, look at a sink full of plates, cups, utensils, and cooking tools, and think:
Why would I wash all of this by hand when I have a dishwasher sitting right there?
Honestly, I get it.
The dishwasher is one of those kitchen appliances that can feel like a tiny miracle.
Load it.
Add detergent.
Press a button.
Walk away.
But here's the catch: not everything in your kitchen belongs in that machine.
Some items can become damaged by the high heat, strong water jets, harsh detergent, or long wash cycle. Others can damage the dishwasher itself. And then there are those poor kitchen treasures that may come out looking completely different from when they went in!
So before you toss that next questionable item onto the top rack, let's go through the things you should generally keep out of the dishwasher.
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Why You Should Be Careful About What Goes in the Dishwasher
Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes efficiently, but the environment inside one can be surprisingly rough.
You've got:
- Hot water
- High temperatures during drying
- Powerful water jets
- Concentrated detergent
- Repeated exposure to moisture
- A long cleaning cycle
That's fantastic for a sturdy dinner plate.
It's not necessarily fantastic for a delicate wooden spoon.
Or a beautiful vintage serving dish.
Or your favorite insulated travel mug that suddenly comes out looking like it went through a chemistry experiment.
The safest rule is simple:
When in doubt, check the manufacturer's instructions.
A “hand wash only” label should be taken seriously, while an item specifically marked dishwasher-safe can generally go in according to those instructions.
1. Wooden Cutting Boards
