The dishwasher is an essential appliance that simplifies our lives. It saves both time and water, making its proper use crucial. In this article, we share 6 kitchen items identified by cleaning experts that you should never place in the dishwasher.
Kitchen Items That Should Not Be Washed in the Dishwasher
1. Non-stick Pans and Pots
The primary feature of non-stick pans and pots is their non-stick surface. This characteristic prevents cooked food from sticking to the surface and leaving residue. Non-stick pans and pots can be easily cleaned by hand washing. However, when exposed to dishwasher detergent and high-pressure water, non-stick cookware may be damaged. Therefore, it is essential to avoid placing non-stick pans and pots in the dishwasher.
2. Wooden Utensils
Heat poses a significant threat to wooden materials. When placing wooden items in the dishwasher, you risk cracking, splitting, and breaking them. This also applies to utensils with wooden handles. Moreover, if you use the dishwasher’s drying mode, the risk of bacterial growth in the resulting cracks increases.
3. Crystal Glasses
If you have crystal glasses in your home, keep them away from the dishwasher. Washing crystal glasses in the dishwasher can cause them to crack due to heat and lose their natural shine. The same applies to other items made of crystal material (ashtrays, vases).
4. Thermoses
The air-filled space between the inner and outer layers of thermos mugs keeps your drinks hot. This area has a structure that can be damaged by the dishwasher. Washing thermos mugs in the dishwasher may cause them to lose their heat-retaining properties over time.
5. Plastic Ice Cream and Yogurt Containers
If you repurpose empty yogurt and ice cream containers to store various foods in your kitchen, you are making an economical and practical choice. However, if you wash these containers in the dishwasher after using them, you are making a significant mistake. The risk of plastic containers melting in the dishwasher is high. If the melted plastic spreads to your other dishes and utensils, the situation may worsen.
6. Printed Items
Although some prints may be labeled as water-resistant, it is best not to rely on this too much. The prints can peel off under the effect of high-pressure water in the dishwasher and clog the machine’s drain, resulting in more considerable expenses. You should either remove the print entirely before placing the item in the dishwasher or hand wash it.
Conclusion
Dishwashers are useful and practical household appliances for saving time and energy in the kitchen. However, it is essential to remember that not all kitchen items are suitable for washing in the dishwasher. By avoiding placing non-stick pans and pots, wooden utensils, crystal glasses, thermoses, plastic ice cream and yogurt containers, and printed items in the dishwasher, you can extend the life of your kitchenware and contribute to maintaining hygiene in the kitchen. Therefore, being aware of which items should not be placed in the dishwasher and ensuring proper use is crucial.
