Alright, let’s just get this out of the way—dishwashers are awesome. Toss your plates in, press a button, walk away. Boom. Clean dishes like magic. But here’s the kicker… not everything loves the dishwasher life. Some things? They straight-up hate it. We’re talkin’ warping, cracking, peeling, rusting—yeah, it gets dramatic.
So, if you’ve ever stood in front of your dishwasher holding a random kitchen thingamajig, wondering “Hmm… can this go in here?”—you’re not alone. Let’s dig into the stuff that definitely shouldn’t go in there.
1. Wooden Utensils and Cutting Boards
Wood and water? Not besties. Especially not hot, high-pressure dishwasher water. Think about it—wood absorbs moisture like a sponge. So when it gets soaked, then blasted with heat, it starts to crack, warp, or even split in ways you don’t want.
You might be thinking, “But my wooden spoon looks fine after one wash…” Sure. One wash. But keep it up and you’ll end up with a sad, splintery mess. Hand wash it instead. Quick rinse, bit of soap, done. Your spoon will thank you. Probably.
2. Cast Iron Pans
Ah, cast iron. The heavy, practically indestructible, heirloom-worthy pan that your grandma swore by. Wanna ruin it? Pop it in the dishwasher.
Seriously—cast iron needs love, not detergent. That lovely black layer on it? That’s called seasoning. It’s what makes the pan non-stick and amazing. Dishwashers will strip it off faster than you can say “oops.” Instead, just wipe it clean, rinse with hot water, and dry it completely. Like, bone dry. Rust is the enemy.
3. Nonstick Pans
Okay, so cast iron’s a no-go. But what about your trusty nonstick skillet? Yeah… also a no.
Here’s the deal: the high heat and harsh dishwasher detergent can mess with the coating. That means your “nonstick” pan starts to stick. And once that nonstick surface starts flaking off? Game over.
Hand-wash these with a soft sponge. Skip the steel wool—unless you’re into eating Teflon, which… please don’t be.
4. Anything with Sharp Blades
Knives, folks. I’m talking your good chef’s knife, paring knife, or that expensive santoku you saved up for. Throwing these in the dishwasher is like driving a Ferrari through a car wash with the windows down.
Not only do they dull way faster, but the dishwasher can cause nicks, chips, or even rust on the blade. And hey—your dishwasher’s not a fan either. Those sharp edges can mess up the racks or scratch things inside.
Just wash ’em by hand. It’s quick, and your fingers will thank you later when your knife actually slices through a tomato instead of squishing it.
5. Insulated Travel Mugs and Water Bottles
You know those fancy thermoses that promise to keep your coffee hot until next Tuesday? Well, if you toss them in the dishwasher, that magical heat-locking power might vanish. Poof.
Why? Because the heat can mess with the vacuum seal. Once that’s gone, it’s just a regular bottle. Might as well drink out of a solo cup at that point.
Read the label—some are top-rack safe, but many aren’t. When in doubt, hand wash. Again. I know, it’s annoying. But not as annoying as cold coffee 15 minutes after you pour it.
6. Crystal, Fine China, and Antique Dishware
So you inherited your great aunt’s gorgeous china set and want to give it a good clean? Hold up.
Dishwashers and delicate dishes do not get along. The heat, the jets, the clanging around—they’re like a mosh pit for your fragile dishware. Chips, fading gold rims, cracking—total heartbreak.
Same with crystal. One wrong bump and your elegant glass just becomes a fancy pile of shards.
Just treat the fancy stuff like royalty. Hand wash with care, maybe even hum a little tune while you do it. It’s part of the charm.
7. Anything Aluminum
Ever pulled a dull, grey pan out of the dishwasher and gone “Wait… wasn’t this shiny before?” Yep. That’s aluminum, crying inside.
Dishwasher detergent reacts with aluminum, making it oxidize and lose that pretty gleam. Even worse, it might leave a chalky residue that rubs off on your hands. Yuck.
So whether it’s foil pans, baking sheets, or that cute aluminum water bottle—it’s hand wash city.
8. Plastic That’s Not Dishwasher Safe
Now this one’s tricky. Some plastic is good to go—top rack only, usually—but a lot of it? Melts. Warps. Becomes the weirdest shape imaginable.
Ever had a Tupperware lid come out looking like it went through a Salvador Dalí painting? That’s what we’re talking about.
Check the bottom of the plastic for the little dishwasher symbol. If it’s not there, don’t risk it. Otherwise, it’s “guess I’m eating salad out of a melted bowl now.”
9. Copper Pots and Mugs
Copper is beautiful. It glows. It shines. It makes you feel like you belong on a cooking show.
Now imagine all that beauty gone in one dishwasher cycle. The detergent and water will dull it out fast, leaving it looking tired and sad. Also, some copper has a lining that can get damaged, making it unsafe over time.
Long story short? Show your copper some love. Polish it occasionally and hand wash it gently.
10. Anything with Adhesive Labels
You know those jars or bottles you’re trying to repurpose? If the label’s still on, don’t toss it in the dishwasher.
That glue heats up and spreads goo everywhere. Next thing you know, your dishwasher smells weird, and there’s sticky residue on everything. Gross.
Peel the label first. If it’s being stubborn, soak it in warm soapy water or use a little rubbing alcohol. Your dishwasher will thank you.
So… What’s the Takeaway Here?
Look, dishwashers are amazing. Total time-savers. But they’re not invincible. And neither are your kitchen tools. Think of your dishwasher like a hot tub: not everyone’s invited.
When in doubt? Ask yourself, “Would this survive being blasted with boiling water and soap while being tossed around like it’s on a rollercoaster?” If the answer’s no… you’ve got your answer.
Now go check your sink. I bet there’s at least one thing in there giving you side-eye for thinking about dishwashing it. 😉
Need help remembering all this? Try sticking a quick “DO NOT DISHWASH” list on your fridge. Or better yet—just bookmark this page and come back next time you’re unsure.
And hey, got a dishwasher horror story? Something that melted, cracked, or exploded when you weren’t looking? I wanna hear about it. Let’s trade war stories in the comments.