Never Put These Items In The Dishwasher—You Could Damage Them
At the end of a long night, the last thing we want to do is scrub a pile of dishes. It's so tempting to just shove everything into the dishwasher and hope for the best. I have definitely ruined a few of my favorite kitchen tools by being a little too lazy with the machine.
Some kitchen items can become easily damaged in the dishwasher. These items need a gentle hand-wash instead.
Non-stick frying pans
Most non-stick pans claim to be dishwasher safe on the box, but it's not always true. The high heat and chemicals in dishwasher pods can break down the coating over time.
You might notice that your eggs start sticking sooner than they should if you machine wash them. Hand washing with a soft sponge is the best way to make that expensive pan last for years.
Anything made of wood
Wooden spoons and cutting boards are essential kitchen tools, but they're not meant for the dishwasher. The intense heat and long soak times cause the wood to swell and then shrink as it dries.
Eventually, this leads to cracking or warping, which can make your boards useless or even trap bacteria in the gaps. Just use a little soap and water, then dry them off right away.
Copper pots and mugs
Copper looks great when it's shiny, but the dishwasher is its worst enemy. The detergent can cause the copper to tarnish or change color almost instantly.
To keep that beautiful finish, stick to hand washing with a gentle soap. It's much easier to maintain the shine than it is to polish out a dishwasher disaster.
Delicate crystal glassware
Those beautiful wine glasses you save for special occasions are much more fragile than standard glass. The heat and the vibration of the dishwasher can cause them to crack or even shatter during the cycle.
Also, many detergents can leave a cloudy film on crystal that's almost impossible to remove. Instead, wash these in the sink with warm water to keep them sparkling for your next dinner party.
Sharp kitchen knives
It might seem easy to toss your chef knife in the rack, but the high heat and harsh soap can really dull the blade quickly. Even worse, the water pressure can knock the knife against other dishes, causing tiny chips in the edge.
I've found that taking thirty seconds to wash my good knives by hand keeps them sharp for much longer.
Insulated travel mugs
I love my insulated coffee mugs for keeping drinks hot all day, but the dishwasher can ruin the vacuum seal. Once that seal is broken, the mug loses its ability to insulate, and you might even get water trapped between the walls.
It starts to feel heavy and might even grow mold where you cannot see it. Washing the lid in the machine is usually fine, but keep the actual flask in the sink to stay safe.
Cast iron skillets
If you have a well-seasoned cast iron pan, keep it away from the dishwasher. The detergent is designed to strip away oils, which is exactly what your seasoning is made of.
Putting it through a cycle will leave you with a rusty, dull pan. I usually just wipe mine out or use a stiff brush with a tiny bit of water.
I know it feels like a chore to stand at the sink when you have a perfectly good machine sitting right there. But honestly, taking care of your things is a way of showing yourself a little kindness.
You spent money on these items and they help you feed the people you love. Keeping them out of the dishwasher ensures they stay in your kitchen for a long time.