You're using your dishwasher WRONG! Experts reveal the surprising items you should never put in there

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

At the end of a big meal there's nothing better than being able to put all the dirty cutlery in the dishwasher.
At the press of a button, everything comes out clean and sparkling – even the grubbiest of dishes.
But you've likely been using the appliance wrong, it turns out.
Experts from Which? have compiled a list of unexpected items than you can and can't put in the dishwasher.
They have revealed some common mistakes that could be ruining your items – and some surprising things you can safely put in.
'Before you start throwing in anything and everything, there are certain items where handwashing is always best,' Andrew Laughlin, principal researcher at the consumer brand said.
His tips can help 'avoid having to replace items that aren't dishwasher safe'.
So, are you guilty of the following errors?
KITCHEN KNIVES
'While steel and ceramic knives are safe in the dishwasher and won't tarnish, the heat can make the blade more prone to dulling,' he said.
'It's better to wash them by hand to avoid having to sharpen them more often – and it will ensure they last longer and stay in great condition.'
The same goes for blender blades, he explained, which can also dull over time and make your smoothies less smooth.
WOODEN SPOONS AND CHOPPING BOARDS
It may come as a surprise to some but anything wooden can't go in the dishwasher, Mr Laughlin said.
'Regardless of what type of wood it is, the high heat of a dishwasher will cause it to splinter and split, and any cracks are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria.'
He said wooden items should be washed by hand but not submerged in water for too long. Lingering odours or stains could be treated by sprinkling some salt onto the board and scrubbing with half a lemon.
NON–STICK ANYTHING AND SOME BAKING TRAYS
Putting non–stick pans in the dishwasher can wear down the non–stick surface over time, he explained.
Instead, these should be washed and dried by hand.
While baking trays made of stainless steel or anodised aluminium are fine, cast iron or regular aluminium will need hand–washing.
CRYSTAL OR MILK GLASSES
Crystal can be expensive, and the best way to preserve it is by avoiding the dishwasher, Mr Laughlin said, adding: 'If you're adamant, choose a very mild detergent or look for one approved for crystal or cut–glass use.
'Place the crystal in the top rack of the dishwasher and make sure that the glasses do not touch one another. Then use a delicate cycle, which washes at a lower temperature to protect items.'
Milk glass, meanwhile, can be chipped by knocking against other plates in the wash. Using the dishwasher might also cause it to turn slightly yellow over time.
COPPER, ALUMINIUM OR CAST–IRON COOKWARE
If you want to keep your prized copper cookware shiny, it's best to wash by hand as the harshness of the dishwasher can cause surfaces to dull.
Meanwhile, detergent can cause aluminium to tarnish and turn black.
'If you're not sure, it's better to be safe than sorry, so keep your Le Creuset out of the dishwasher,' Mr Laughlin said.
INSULATED COFFEE MUGS OR WATER BOTTLES
The vacuum seal – a very important part of insulated items – could be damaged in the dishwasher.
This could make insulation worse, preventing them from keeping your drinks hot or cool, or it could make them prone to leaking.
'While some coffee cups and travel mugs can be popped into a dishwasher on the top shelf, others need to be washed by hand, so always check the packaging or the manufacturer's website,' he said.
Finally, while the actual pot of a pressure cooker can go in the dishwasher, a lid should always be hand washed.
'The high heat and water jets could damage the seal mechanism, making the actual pressure part of your pressure cooker obsolete,' he said.
'It could even make using your pressure cooker dangerous if the safety mechanisms are faulty.'
Mr Laughlin also revealed a list of unusual items that can safely be put in the dishwasher, including make–up brushes, plastic hairbrushes, toothbrush holders and soap trays.
The dishwasher can also come in handy for cleaning vacuum cleaner attachments and refrigerator shelves and drawers.
Many baby items can also be cleaned in the dishwasher – and some models even come with high–heat programs specifically for this.
'These programs are often promoted as leaving dishes germ–free or sterilised,' he said.
'However, we wouldn't recommend that you rely on your dishwasher for sterilising items for very young babies.
'Use an alternative method instead.'
Mr Laughlin has also previous shared advice on the correct way to stack a dishwasher.
This includes never rinsing the plates and placing the dirtiest dishes on the bottom rack.
Not overloading is also important, he said, to allow the water to circulate properly.
Engineers devise VERY controversial method for loading the dishwasher
Loading the dishwasher can be a sore subject. Everyone claims to have perfected their own foolproof 'technique', yet no two methods are the same.
But in 2015, scientists ruffled a few feathers when they claimed to have devised the definitive way to organise a dishwasher's racks.
The University of Birmingham engineers tracked water movement inside dishwashers before concluding that plates should be arranged in a circle.
However, carbohydrate–stained dishes should be at the centre, they said, while protein–stained dishes should be around the edge.
Carbohydrate–based stains need the full force of the water jets to get clean, while protein based foods need more contact with the chemical detergent.
However, they warned that due to the way baskets are currently designed, this may prove to be difficult.