The dishwasher is a handy appliance to have in any kitchen and can make cleanup a snap. But there are a lot of things that should never go in the dishwasher. Some dishes and other items can be ruined by the heat and water pressure of a dishwasher. Others can even cause damage to your dishwasher unit and plumbing. To keep everything running smoothly and protect your belongings, don’t put these items in the dishwasher:
- Wooden items. Dishes, utensils, cutting boards, and more that are made of wood can easily warp, crack, or lose their finish.
- Cast iron. Pans made of cast iron have a special “seasoning” built up over time that aids the cooking process, and the dishwasher can strip this away, possibly ruining your cast iron pans.
- Hollow plastic. This can come in the form of kitchen utensil handles, kids’ dishware, and travel mugs. Anything that’s not solid and could have crevices for the water to seep into without being able to dry properly creates an opportunity for mold growth.
- Items that have been glued. If you have a broken dish or other kitchenware that you’ve glued back together, it shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, even if the original item is labeled as dishwasher safe. The glue could break down in the dishwasher, causing pieces to get stuck in the drain.
- Stickers and labels. Whether it’s stickers on new items or your own labels from containers of leftovers in the fridge, don’t put these through the dishwasher. Stickers can break down and come off and end up clogging the dishwasher drain.
- Dishes covered in food. While many modern dishwashers are supposed to clean away significant amounts of food from dishes, it’s best to not overtax the system. Scrape remaining food into the garbage, and give dishes a quick rinse before they go in. Dishwashers are not garbage disposals, so large amounts of grease, oil, and food particles will cause clogs in the pipes, wear and tear on your machine, and dishes that don’t come out as clean.
If your dishwasher isn’t functioning as well as you’d like, contact the experts at Mr. Rooter in Houston. We can help get your plumbing back on track.
Sources:
https://www.teamplumbing.com/blog/what-is-dishwasher-safe
https://www.today.com/food/21-things-you-should-never-put-dishwasher-t108971