Alright, real talk—have you ever stood in front of your open dishwasher, holding something random like a wooden spoon or your favorite travel mug, and wondered, “Can this go in here… or am I about to ruin it forever?”
You’re not alone.
We all love the convenience of the dishwasher. Toss everything in, press a button, walk away, and boom—clean dishes. Magic, right? Well… not always. Because while dishwashers are champs at tackling grime and grease, they’re not miracle workers. In fact, there are a bunch of everyday items that really don’t belong in there.
Let’s break it down so you don’t accidentally melt, warp, or destroy your kitchenware.
1. Wooden Anything (Yep, Spoons, Cutting Boards, All of It)
Imagine this: You pull out your wooden cutting board after a cycle, and it’s suddenly split like a dry piece of firewood. That’s because wood and hot, wet environments don’t mix. Dishwashers blast heat and water like there’s no tomorrow—and wood? It soaks it all up, swells, and then cracks as it dries.
Try thinking of it this way: would you toss your favorite wooden furniture into a sauna and expect it to survive? Nope. Same idea.
Stick to hand-washing those wood pieces with mild soap and warm water. Your utensils will thank you (if they could).
2. Sharp Knives (Unless You Like Dull Blades and Rust Spots)
Okay, we get it. After prepping dinner, the last thing you want is to hand-wash a sharp chef’s knife. But listen—dishwashers are basically like mini rock concerts for your kitchen tools. Things bump into each other. Water blasts from every angle. And that ultra-sharp edge you paid good money for? It gets dulled way faster than it should.
Not to mention, they can get nicks and rust. So yeah, not ideal.
Just a quick rinse and wipe keeps them sharper, longer. No biggie.
3. Cast Iron (A.K.A. The “Do Not Even Think About It” Pan)
Oh boy. If there’s one thing you definitely don’t want in the dishwasher, it’s your cast iron skillet.
Dishwashers strip off the seasoning (that natural non-stick layer you worked hard to build) and can even make it rust. And honestly? Once cast iron rusts, it’s a whole thing to get it back to normal.
Quick tip: just scrub with coarse salt and a tiny bit of water. No soap, no dishwasher. Done.
4. Insulated Travel Mugs and Tumblers
You know those fancy reusable coffee cups and water bottles that keep your drink cold (or hot) forever? Dishwashers mess with the vacuum seal that makes them so awesome.
Hot water can sneak between the layers and totally kill the insulation. Suddenly your “keeps coffee hot for 12 hours” tumbler can’t keep it warm past 15 minutes.
Imagine this: cold coffee by the time you hit the parking lot. Tragic.
Always check the label. If it says “hand wash only,” trust it.
5. Nonstick Cookware (Sometimes)
This one’s a bit tricky. Some newer nonstick pans claim to be dishwasher-safe. But even then, repeated washes can wear down that nonstick surface way faster than you’d like.
And once the coating goes, well… it’s just a sad, sticky mess.
Your best bet? Hand-wash with a soft sponge. Takes two minutes and keeps your eggs from sticking in the morning. Win-win.
6. Crystal, China, and Anything Sentimental
Let’s be real—do you really want to risk your great-aunt’s delicate crystal wine glass or that heirloom teacup in a dishwasher?
Even on the gentlest cycle, there’s still a chance something might chip, crack, or completely shatter.
Pro tip: If it’s irreplaceable or super delicate, keep it far away from the dishwasher. Better safe than sorry, right?
7. Plastic That Isn’t Dishwasher-Safe
Yeah, we’ve all been there. You toss in a plastic container, only to pull it out looking like it melted in the sun.
Not all plastics are created equal. Some just can’t handle the heat and warp into sad little blobs. Always check the label. If it doesn’t clearly say “dishwasher safe,” it’s hand-wash time.
And even dishwasher-safe plastic? Stick it on the top rack to avoid the worst of the heat.
8. Aluminum Cookware (The Discoloration is Real)
That shiny aluminum pot? Pop it in the dishwasher and it might come out looking like it went through a horror movie.
Dishwasher detergent reacts with aluminum, often leaving dark spots or a dull, chalky finish. Not great.
Hand-wash those babies with mild soap to keep them looking nice and sparkly.
Wrapping It Up (A.K.A. Dishwasher Survival 101)
So, what have we learned here? Basically, just because it fits in the dishwasher doesn’t mean it belongs in there.
Here’s the golden rule: when in doubt, leave it out.
If it’s wood, sharp, sentimental, or doesn’t clearly scream “dishwasher safe,” give it a gentle hand-wash. Your kitchen tools—and future self—will be grateful.
And hey, don’t feel bad if you’ve ruined a thing or two in the past. We’ve all melted a Tupperware lid or two. It’s part of the journey.
Now go forth and wash wisely. ✨