Keeping these precautions in mind, numerous items beyond your kitchen cabinets can be safely cleaned in the dishwashers.
The repetitive actions of scrubbing, rinsing, and drying can be quite tiresome, and I often lack the patience for it.
If there’s an opportunity to save time, water, and money by simply placing my plate in the dishwasher, I gladly seize it. Recently, I made an astonishing discovery: dishwashers are capable of cleaning more than just dishes.
This revelation has opened up a whole new world for me, as numerous surprising items can be effectively cleaned in the dishwashers. Now, I can happily avoid handwashing an even wider range of household items, which is truly a victory for me.
Things To Know
I consulted with several experts, including Adam Hofmann, director of engineering for dishwashers advanced systems at GE Appliances, to gain insights into what can and cannot be washed in a dishwasher.
According to Hofmann, it’s important to avoid being too adventurous and refrain from placing items such as electrical appliances, greasy car parts, and shoes in the dishwasher. He recommends sticking to dishwasher-safe plastic, ceramic, metal, and glass items.
Determining which plastic items are suitable for the dishwasher requires some consideration as the high heat can potentially damage certain materials.
Max Appel, the founder of Powerizer Complete, advises researching the types of plastics you intend to wash in the dishwasher to prevent melting or the release of toxins due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. When in doubt, check for the dishwasher-safe icon on the item or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keeping these precautions in mind, numerous items beyond your kitchen cabinets can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher.
However, if you’re washing something particularly dirty or unpleasant, it’s recommended to wash it separately and run a sanitation cycle before proceeding with your regular load of dishes.
16 Things You Can Clean in Dishwashers
Below, you’ll find a list of 16 things that can be cleaned in your dishwashers, along with some helpful tips for achieving optimal results.
Phone cases: Most silicone, rubber, and plastic phone cases can be safely washed in the dishwasher.
However, be cautious with cases that have multiple glued-on pieces as they may come apart. Remove the case from your device and place it on its side on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Dog toys: Rubber, nylon, and hard plastic dog toys can be cleaned and disinfected by running them through the dishwasher.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure they are dishwasher-safe before proceeding.
Stand-mixer parts: Dishwashers are suitable for cleaning mixer bowls and various attachments such as beaters and stainless-steel whips.
Remove the attachments and place them in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Baseball caps: For washing baseball caps in the dishwasher, pre-treat any stains with a stain remover spray before placing them in the machine.
It is advisable to position the caps on the top rack to help maintain their shape, although be aware that the steam in the dishwasher may cause slight puckering of the fabric.
Kids’ toys: Many plastic baby and kids’ toys are designed to be dishwasher-safe.
Place plastic toys on the top rack, away from the heat source. For smaller toys like Lego building blocks, consider using a mesh bag to prevent them from moving around during the wash cycle.
Microwave turntable: Remove the microwave turntable and load it into the dishwasher’s lower rack as you would with a regular plate.
Mouthguards and baby teething guards: Sanitize sports mouthguards or baby teething guards by placing them in the dishwashers.
To keep them secure during the cycle, position them in the silverware caddy.
Dustpans: Dirty dustpans can be cleaned in the dishwasher by loading them like plates.
Place them at an angle with the dirty surfaces facing down to ensure they are thoroughly sprayed.
Vacuum attachments: Many vacuum attachments, including brushes and detachable filters, can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher.
Stand the attachments upright in the top rack if space allows. Larger attachments can be placed on the lower rack or laid horizontally on the top rack.
Rinse filters before loading them in the lower rack, ensuring they are standing up.
Grill grates: After scraping off stuck-on food and char, grill grates can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
However, it’s important to note that cast-iron grates and specialized grilling equipment should not be washed in the dishwasher.
Oven mitts: Silicone oven mitts and pot holders can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Rubber bath mats: To sanitize rubber bath mats, weave them around the vertical pegs of the top rack like an accordion.
This arrangement ensures maximum exposure of all surfaces. If there is excess water trapped in the mat after the cycle, be sure to drain it.
Faux flowers: Lay plastic synthetic flowers horizontally on the top rack before running a regular dishwasher cycle to remove dust effectively.
Workout gloves: Stand workout gloves upright on the top rack, ensuring that at least one finger is placed over a vertical peg to keep them in an upright position during the cycle.
Manicure and pedicure tools: Metal nail files, clippers, and other manicure and pedicure tools can be cleaned in the dishwasher’s utensil caddy, similar to washing silverware.
For smaller tools that might slip through the holes, consider placing a jar cap on the bottom of the compartment before loading the tools.
Slides and flip-flops: While sneakers and boots are not suitable for the dishwasher, rubber slides, and flip-flops can be washed by loading them on their sides, similar to how plates are positioned.
*The information is for reference only.
