I’m an appliance pro – 10 things you shouldn’t put in the dishwasher as it’ll ruin them & everyone makes a spoon mistake
IT can be very tempting to throw all your dirty dishes into the dishwasher without a second thought.
However, you may want to give a second thought to some of the items you're avoiding hand-washing as the dishwasher may ruin them.
The experts at Family Handyman have compiled a list of items you should never put in the dishwasher.
PLASTIC DISHES
While some plastic cups and plates may be labelled "dishwasher safe", you might want to double-check this before tossing any old plastic dish into the dishwasher.
To avoid a melted mess, opt to hand-wash these items in warm soapy water instead.
COPPER DISHES
If you're cleaning up after an evening of drinking some refreshing Moscow Mules, avoid the lazy temptation of tossing those trendy copper cups into the dishwasher.
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To retain the shine of these Instagram-able copper pieces, avoid the dishwasher and hand-wash with care.
GOLD LEAF
If you own any dishware that is nice enough to have gold leaf accents, then you likely know how valuable it is.
Avoid dulling the golden glow of your fancy set of dishes and wash with a soft sponge in the sink instead.
TRAVEL MUGS
It can be oh-so-tempting to add your travel mug to the dishwasher tray after a long day at work, but don't.
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The heat of the dishwasher can damage the insulation of the mug and water can become trapped between layers.
This will cause eventual mold growth in your mug.
CAST IRON
Cast iron can rust easily, so it goes without saying the dishwasher is a no-go for these items.
Instead, wipe your cast iron item with a damp cloth and a small amount of soap, drying immediately afterwards.
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For tough food residue, the experts at Family Handyman recommend using coarse salt.
NONSTICK PANS
The harsh spray and detergent in the dishwasher can damage the nonstick layer of your pan.
The hot water can also warp the metal and damage the pan.
To avoid this, hand-wash your pans, scrubbing gently.
KNIVES
Sharp cooking knives should never be placed in the dishwasher for more than one reason.
While it is dangerous to load these objects into the machine, dishwashers can also damage knives by wearing down their sharp edges over time.
While experts recommend hand-washing sharp knives with extreme care, it is perfectly fine to load butter knives and table knives into your dishwasher.
CONTAINERS WITH STICKERS
While you may want to repurpose old peanut butter jars, refrain from taking the easy way out by placing them in the dishwasher.
The stickers on these jars can clog your dishwasher, so it might be a good idea to peel these off first.
CRYSTAL
This one should go without saying.
Crystal is extremely valuable and extremely fragile, so placing it in the dishwasher where it can become easily damaged by the harsh sprays is not recommended.
Crystal glassware should be washed gently by hand.
WOODEN UTENSILS
And finally, while it may seem harmless enough to throw your trusty wooden spoon into the dishwasher after a grueling evening in the kitchen, it can be very damaging to the wood.
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When exposed to such high heat and moisture, wood can warp, splinter and even break.
Experts suggest hand-washing with warm soapy water before drying immediately with a towel.
