For those of us who are lucky enough to have a dishwasher, it's likely it's one of the most-used appliances in your home.
You probably don't think anything of it when filling it up with dirty mugs, plates and cutlery - but it turns out there are some surprising items that you can't (and can) run through the dishwasher.
To help people identify what can be safely washed through the dishwasher and what should be avoided, consumer champions at Which? have rounded up some of the most important ones that you should know about.
This advice should hopefully save you from destroying any of your belongings and having to purchase new ones. Some of these may seem obvious, but it could be that you've unknowingly been ruining these things by not hand-washing them.
Things that aren't dishwasher safe
Kitchen knives
Sharp kitchen knives made from steel or ceramic can safely go through the dishwasher, but the high temperature of the water makes them dull.
Instead, you should hand-wash them to make sure you don't need to sharpen them as often. The same is true for blades from your blender, as they won't work as efficiently after being put through the dishwasher.
Wooden spoons and chopping boards
Anything that's made of wood isn't safe to be put through the dishwasher because the high heat will cause it to chip and splinter - which could be dangerous if you're eating anything from it.
Wooden items should always be quickly scrubbed by hand under the tap, instead of being completely submerged in the water.
Anything non-stick
Pans and some baking trays that are non-stick should always be washed by hand to avoid damaging the surface and rendering it useless.
Trays made of cast iron or aluminium should also never be put through the dishwasher, and you should take extra care to scrape any remaining oil or grease into the bin to avoid clogging up the pipes.
Crystal/milk glass
Which? recommends against washing crystal in the dishwasher, as the detergents can cause marks to appear.
But if you do want to, make sure to choose a washing capsule or powder that specifies that it's safe to use on crystal glass, and always use it on a delicate cycle.
As for milk glass, it can be chipped by knocking against other plates in the wash. The dishwasher may also cause discoloration, turning it slightly yellow over time.
Copper, aluminium or cast-iron cookware
You might be tempted to throw your beautiful cast-iron pot in the dishwasher to keep it looking its best, but this can cause the enamel on it to wear down.
The same rules apply to anything copper, which can become much duller if it's put through the dishwasher - so you should always clean these by hand.
As for aluminium products, only anodised aluminium is dishwasher-safe, as it has a protective layer of oxide. Without this layer, the harsh detergent can cause aluminium to tarnish and turn black.
Insulated water bottles or mugs
These are great for taking drinks out and about, but when it comes to cleaning them, it should always be done by hand.
Putting these in the dishwasher can damage the vaccuum seal making them less likely to keep your beverages hot or cold - and it could also cause them to leak.
Pressure cooker lid
The final thing that should never be put in the dishwasher is the lid to your pressure cooker - even though the pot itself can go in.
The heat and water pressure can cause damage to the seal, making it faulty or even dangerous to use.
Five things you can put in the dishwasher
As well as what you can't do, here are a few things you might be surprised to learn can be put through the appliance.
- Makeup brushes and combs
- Plastic baby toys, bottles and dummies
- Fridge drawers and shelves
- Toothbrush holders and soap trays
- Vacuum cleaner attachments
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