The dishwasher is one of the most convenient kitchen appliances. Just load it up, add a dishwasher pod, and let it wash your dishes to sparkling perfection. Like magic, the dishwasher can clean your dishes, kitchen appliances, and other surprising household items. However, not everything is dishwasher safe. Luckily, it’s easy to hand wash items with our Power Dish Spray. Here are 10 things you should never put in the dishwasher:
1. Your Best Knives
The dishwasher can dull knife blades, so it’s best to wash that fancy knife set by hand.
2. Hollow-Handled Knives
Hot water and heat in the dishwasher cycle can melt adhesive that holds the two sides of a hollow-handled knife together. Washing these knives by hand will prevent them falling apart–and keep you from trying to figure out how to safely repair them!
3. Nonstick Pots and Pans
Over time, the dishwasher cycle can break down nonstick coating, causing it to flake off and ruin both your food and your cookware. Luckily, nonstick pots and pans are as easy to clean as they are to cook with! Simply spritz with our Power Dish Spray and use a Pop Up Sponge or Kitchen Brush to wash until it’s free of food residue.
4. Cast Iron
If you’re a Cast Iron Cookware fan, you probably already know it requires special care. Cast Iron should never be put in the dishwasher–in fact, many people avoid using dish soap with it altogether! You can clean your cast iron cookware with hot water, salt, and a pop up sponge. When cared for properly, cast iron can be kept and handed down for generations (talk about sustainability)!
5. Wood
Hot water and heat can warp or crack wood, or damage the finish on wooden cutting boards. Hand wash these items so they stay in great shape.
6. Printed Measuring Cups
Do your measuring cups have the measurements printed on them? Make sure to hand wash these items as over time, the dishwasher can cause the measurement markers to fade.
7. Milk Glass
Milk glass’ semi-opaque finish is beautiful, and can be a great statement piece in your home or on your table. Putting these items in the dishwasher can cause discoloration and yellowing. Carefully hand wash milk glass with Power Dish Spray and a soft non-abrasive sponge or Swedish Dish Cloth.
8. Aluminum Cookware
Putting aluminum in the dishwasher can cause a reaction that darkens and tarnishes the pan or pot. The high heat from the dishwasher combined with the mineral content in the water can lead to that cookware losing its sparkle. Wash these items by hand to keep them shining bright! You can tackle even the toughest stuck on food with our Power Dish Spray and Kitchen Brush set.
9. Hand Painted Pottery
Delicate, hand painted pottery should be treated with care. Wash these items by hand to prevent fading and keep these works of art in tip top shape.
10. Anything with Paper Labels
Paper labels get wet and soggy in the dishwasher, and can get on other dishes or stuck in the drain. We love reusing a glass jar, but be sure to remove the label before you run it through the wash! (Pro Tip: you can easily remove stuck on paper labels with Oxi Booster Pods)