Steer Clear: 17 Items That Should NEVER Find Their Way Into the Dishwasher

By Nina Roman

There are a few reasons why you should not put non-stick pans in the dishwasher, including:

Non-stick Pans and Pots

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Non-stick coatings are typically made of a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is better known by the brand name Teflon. PTFE is a synthetic polymer that is known for its non-stick properties. It is used in various products, including cookware, food storage containers, and clothing.

Wooden Utensils

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The heat and moisture of the dishwasher can cause the wood to warp, crack, or split. Wood is a porous material, so it absorbs water quickly. This can cause the wood to swell, warp, or even crack or split.

Aluminum Cookware

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Aluminum is a soft metal that can easily be scratched or dented. The harsh detergents in the dishwasher can also corrode the aluminum, making it look dull and pitted.

Crystal Glassware

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The dishwasher can also cause the crystal to become cloudy or etched. The water pressure in the dishwasher can also cause the crystal to become cloudy or etched, making it less attractive and less valuable.

Hand-Painted Dishes

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The heat and detergents in the dishwasher can fade or remove the paint from hand-painted dishes. The paint on hand-painted dishes is often less durable than the glaze on other dishes, and the harsh detergents and heat of the dishwasher can easily damage it.

Knives

Man using knife
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The blades of the knives can become dull and damaged in the dishwasher. The harsh detergents and heat of the dishwasher can wear down the sharp edges of the knives. In addition, knives can damage other dishes in the dishwasher. The sharp edges of the knives can scratch and damage other dishes in the dishwasher, especially delicate items like glassware and china.

Cast Iron Cookware

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The dishwasher’s harsh detergents can strip the cast iron’s seasoning. Seasoning is a thin layer of oil baked onto the surface of cast iron cookware. It helps to protect the cast iron from rust and makes it non-stick.

Cutting Boards

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The heat and moisture of the dishwasher can cause the wood or plastic to warp, crack, or split. This can make the cutting board unsafe, as it can harbor bacteria. Additionally, harsh detergents in the dishwasher can damage the finish of the cutting board. This can make the cutting board more susceptible to bacteria growth and more difficult to clean.

Graters

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The sharp edges of the grater can become dull and damaged in the dishwasher. The harsh detergents and heat of the dishwasher can wear down the sharp edges of the grater, making it less effective.

Thermoses

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The heat of the dishwasher can damage the vacuum seal. Thermoses create a vacuum seal between the inner and outer chambers of the thermos. This vacuum seal prevents heat from escaping, which keeps your drinks hot or cold. The dishwasher’s heat can damage the vacuum seal, making the thermos less effective at insulating your drinks.

Cups and Mugs with Delicate Handles

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It would help if you did not put cups and mugs with delicate handles in the dishwasher because the high heat and water pressure can damage the handles. This can cause the handles to crack, loosen, or even break off. The dishwasher’s heat can also cause the glue that holds the handles in place to melt, which can also cause the handles to come off.

Plastic Food Storage Containers

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The heat of the dishwasher can damage the plastic. The plastic used in food storage containers is typically not designed to withstand the high heat of a dishwasher. This can cause the plastic to become brittle and crack, which can make it unsafe to use.

Silverware with Wooden Handles

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It would help if you did not put silverware with wooden handles in the dishwasher because the heat and moisture can damage the wood. This can cause the wood to crack, warp, or split. It can also cause the wood to lose its color and finish.

Anything With a Rubber Seal

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The heat of the dishwasher can damage the rubber seal. The rubber seal on food containers, baby bottles, and other items is made to withstand the heat of food and liquids, but it is not designed to withstand the high heat of a dishwasher. The heat can cause the rubber to become dry, cracked, and brittle, making it ineffective and even leaking.

Anything With a Sticker

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Stickers can easily peel off in the dishwasher and get stuck in the dishwasher filter. This can block the filter and prevent the dishwasher from working correctly. It can also be difficult and time-consuming to remove stickers from the filter.

Anything That Is Not Dishwasher-Safe

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If you are still determining whether or not something is dishwasher-safe, check the manufacturer’s instructions. If there are no instructions, you may be able to search online.

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