Isbark.com

Cleaning and appliance experts have shared an extensive list of kitchen essentials which shouldn’t be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Having a significant amount of washing up to do may seem like a major chore, so putting everything in the dishwasher may seem like an easy solution to make sure everything’s sparkling again.

However, there are a number of utensils that should be avoided being put in the dishwasher, as they may affect their appearance, efficiency, or ruin them completely.

In a recent Instagram post, experts at Which? shared twelve types of utensils which should be hand washed.

Which? wrote in a post last week: “Not everything belongs in the dishwasher! From wooden utensils to certain cookware, here’s what you should avoid putting in to keep your items looking good and lasting longer.”

The full list of utensils include:

• Kitchen knives
• Blender blades
• Any non-stick items
• Pressure cooker lid
• Copper cookware
• Aluminum cookware
• Wooden spoons and chopping boards
• Cast iron pots and pans
• Sterling silver cutlery or dishes
• Insulated mugs or water bottles
• Oven burners and grates
• Measuring cups/jugs with printed labels

The post appeared to split dishwasher users, with one person replying: “Nahhhh. Bung it all in. It’ll be fine.”

Jon wrote: “So basically everything except plates, glasses and cutlery… why even have a dishwasher?”

Natasha said: “So how many of us have realised we’re putting all these things in there,” while another commented: “You may as well just wash up with your hands.”

Kitchen knives

Kitchen knives shouldn’t be washed in the dishwasher as the washing process could eventually blunt them.

HelloFresh told Good Housekeeping: “Some dishwashers have extremely high water pressure, which can dull blades quickly. The small crystals in dishwasher detergent can also be abrasive.”

Having blunt knives could pose a danger to you, as when pressure is applied, you’re more likely to hurt yourself while using them.

So if you don’t want to have to resharpen your dull knives, don’t put them in the dishwasher.

Wooden spoons and chopping boards

Wooden utensils are must-haves for food preparation and baking, and cleaning them properly can be a hassle.

While dishwashers may seem optimal for this job, cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, advised never putting wooden spoons in the appliance.

This is due to the detergent and hot water can strip your wood of its oils, causing it to splinter.

This goes for all wooden utensils, which should always be cleaned by hand.

Cast iron pots and pans

The high temperature and water pressure of a dishwasher can pose a problem for anything cast iron.

These factors mixed with detergents can strip away the surface on the cast iron, ultimately making it prone to rust, and reduce its non-stick capabilities.

Insulated mugs or water bottles

Insulated items are a major help when keeping coffee hots and water cold, especially when the temperatures aren’t ideal. Most of these types of drinking receptacles come with a recommendation to not wash them in the dishwasher.

Washing these items in the dishwasher could ultimately break them. The hot temperature of the water, as well as detergents, can damage the cup or bottle’s seal and their insulation components.

This could lead to the mugs and bottles leaking drinks, and affect temperature controls, leaving you with cold coffee and lukewarm water to drink.

Aluminium cookware

Aluminium cookware, much like cast iron, is not considered to be dishwasher safe. Lindsay Jones, new product brand manager at Maytag, told Martha Stewart: “Cookware items that are made out of anodized aluminum can go in the dishwasher, because these items are protected from chemicals that are used during the wash cycle.”

Dishwashers can also darken the metal of many types of cookware. Also there’s the added issue of the movement in the appliance knocking cookware together, leaving them scratched on the surface.