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What can't I put in a dishwasher?

(40 Posts)
MellowYellow Sat 26-Sep-20 20:02:32

I'm having a dishwasher delivered next week. It's years since I had one so I've looked up what items not to put in it. Most of them are obvious, but the lists include non-stick pans and sharp knives. Apparently the non-stick coating gradually comes off and the knives go blunt. Do you leave those items out of your dishwasher?

Chewbacca Sat 26-Sep-20 20:10:07

Things not to put in the dishwasher:
Wooden chopping boards - they bend and warp
Sharp knives with the blades uppermost - they tend to get a bit blunt, plus you get stabbed when taking them out. Blades down.
Very fragile delicate glass. Mine became scratched.
The family cat. They don't like it.

MellowYellow Sat 26-Sep-20 20:13:17

Thanks Chewbacca, I'll leave the cat out in that case. ?

Marydoll Sat 26-Sep-20 20:19:29

However, you can put a salmon in a dishwasher and poach it! wink

That has always fascinated me. I know! I'm a sad person. blush

MellowYellow Sat 26-Sep-20 20:25:12

Ooh Marydoll, sounds like the beginning of a new adventure for me! grin

ninathenana Sat 26-Sep-20 20:27:07

Plastic (chinese containers) plates etc
they warp.
Some pottery, especially if it has a transfer pattern on will state on the base that it's not suitable for dishwashers

Nortsat Sat 26-Sep-20 20:28:55

Mellow ... I regularly put our cat Minnie in the dishwasher, she always comes out lovely and clean...

Just kidding obvs ... but she has been known to climb in, just to check I’ve loaded it properly ... then she reports back to my partner...

MellowYellow Sat 26-Sep-20 20:31:16

Thanks nina. Nortsat, loving the photo! Ha ha. What are cats like!!!!

Nortsat Sat 26-Sep-20 20:33:22

By the way, I put plastic take away cartons in the dishwasher, in the upper basket.
I put my knives in, sharp edge downwards.

Just make sure you keep the Rinse Aid and the salt topped up ..
Enjoy it.
Our konked out in March and we were without it for about 4 weeks. Boy, we were so bored with washing up ... ?

GrannyLaine Sat 26-Sep-20 20:33:39

Can someone please explain to me how putting sharp knives in the dishwasher can possibly make them blunt?
My Siemens dishwasher has a narrow tray above the top rack which holds the sharp knives safely. I can't see how its any different to washing by hand confused

Cherrytree59 Sat 26-Sep-20 20:35:00

Marydoll Not tried the poached salmon, all though I believe it benefits from being wrapped in tin foil first.

I have over the years washed many things in the dish washer .
A few examples from memory
Glass lamp shades.
Ornaments
Sponges (Washing up)
Fridge and freezer shelves, boxes etc.
Oven racks etc

Defiantly no cats!
However our much loved late departed dog would try to lick the plates, as I tried to load the dishwasher.

Cherrytree59 Sat 26-Sep-20 20:39:16

I buy Aldi 3in1 dishwasher tablets, so no rince aid required.
But I regularly use dishwasher salt.

Cherrytree59 Sat 26-Sep-20 20:39:56

Rinse

Chewbacca Sat 26-Sep-20 20:41:33

GrannyLaine if you put a sharp knife, blade uppermost, into the dishwasher, the force of the water, plus the chemicals in the detergent, have been proven to blunt the edge of the blade (and sometimes discolour them). If you put them blade down, they don't get knocked around as much and the hot water and detergent run downwards and away, instead of sitting in the shank of the knife handle.

Norstat, I never, not for one minute, expected to actually see a cat in the dishwasher! grin

Charleygirl5 Sat 26-Sep-20 20:50:31

I do not put crystal glasses in mine.

If I buy plates etc I make sure they are dishwasher proof.

Dishwasher tablets are so expensive I only buy when they are at a reduced price in a supermarket.

ninathenana Sat 26-Sep-20 20:54:48

Aldi dishwasher tablets are cheap and effective

BlueBelle Sat 26-Sep-20 20:56:18

Dishes maybe ?

Chewbacca Sat 26-Sep-20 20:58:24

Aldi dishwasher tablets are cheap and effective
A box of 70 All in One tablets £4.99 this week.

GrannyLaine Sat 26-Sep-20 20:58:32

But Chewbacca who on earth would put sharp knives blade uppermost in a dishwasher?? It's just asking for an accident if not amputation. Our kitchen knives are VERY sharp and my favourite is 15 inches long - it has to lie flat.

kittylester Sat 26-Sep-20 21:03:18

I use 3 in 1 tabs, always Fairy, which I buy when they are cheap. I use rinse aid but not salt.

The only things I dont put in are our best glasses and wooden boards.

SueDonim Sat 26-Sep-20 21:10:09

I love the cat photo! ?

Long knives go flat on the top level, small ones, blade down in the holder. We have a knife sharpener anyway.

I don’t put silver cutlery in but as it doesn’t get used more than once a year, that’s not an issue.

I put in plastic breakers etc on the top shelf and they seem to survive.

I’ve washed Lego in the DW, in one of those netting laundry bags, and recently washed the top half of a high chair in it. Istr putting unravelled knitting wool in once, to get the kinks out.

Whiff Sat 26-Sep-20 21:11:56

I have my first ever dishwasher I put sharp knives big ones by lying them flat in the top basket. Smaller ones in the knife holder above the top basket. Nothing has gone blunt. Make sure you check for the dishwasher symbol on the bottom of things . I use fairy original tables, Sainsbury's rinse aid and dishwasher salt. Remember to clean the filter ever week. Just need to run it under tap and use a dishwasher cleaner once a month. My daughter told me what to do. As I hadn't got a clue. But love it . Hate it if I have to wash something up by hand.

SueDonim Sat 26-Sep-20 21:19:26

Ha, I didn’t put knitting yarn in the DW. I’ve remembered now - I put it in the steamer. ?

Welshwife Sat 26-Sep-20 22:21:57

Lead glass such as cut glass should not go in as they go more cloudy.
Wooden knife handles and also bone handles do not do well in the D/W.

TwiceAsNice Sat 26-Sep-20 22:31:49

I put in everything except wooden boards and very expensive glasses. Small knives go blade down on the cutlery basket large knives flat on the side pieces on the top shelf. Wouldn’t be without my dishwasher, I buy any tablets that are on special offer