Doing the dishes is one of the most tedious household chores. Let’s face it, life changes completely with the dishwasher: this essential companion in the kitchen makes our daily lives easier by saving us a lot of time. Thanks to the high temperatures, it is much more effective than hand washing in removing grease and bacteria. It cleans and shines all our dishes, cutlery and various utensils. However, although it is very efficient, it is nonetheless infallible and can be damaged over time if you do not take care of it. Unfortunately, although we want to avoid it, it is sometimes more useful to wash by hand than in a machine!
First of all, it is strongly recommended to rinse the dishes with hot water before installing them in the appliance. Because dirt and food residues accumulate in the filter, end up clogging it and triggering bad smells. Moreover, always remember to carefully clean the filter after each wash cycle. In order to optimize the functioning of the dishwasher, it is also very important to sort the objects before cluttering the appliance. Because, unfortunately, although we want to avoid it, it is sometimes more useful to wash by hand than in a machine! You may not know it, but some objects do not belong there: to avoid damaging them, it is best to wash them by hand. There is therefore, in fact,
To avoid any unpleasant surprises and preserve the longevity of your appliance, here is a list of all the utensils and types of dishes that should not be put in the dishwasher.
1. Wooden spoons and other wooden utensils
Are you used to putting your wooden utensils in the dishwasher? Bad idea. You have probably noticed that they have a worn appearance, that they are deformed or even discolored. It’s no wonder: hot water and high drying temperature are not suitable for ladles, spatulas, bowls, rolling pins and other wooden objects. In addition, constantly subjected to the humidity of the device, this material more easily absorbs bacteria and odors. To prevent the wooden structure from deforming or cracking, it is better to wash these utensils by hand: a little dishwashing liquid, hot water and a clean sponge to wipe them dry.
2. Thermoses
Insulated thermos – spm
The insulated Thermos cups that you often use on your outings are very practical. However, not all of them are dishwasher safe. The water that penetrates damages the material: they can thus lose their function of maintaining heat. Indeed, the insulation layer may break down and no longer be functional. However, most modern thermoses have a higher resistance capacity. To avoid any risk, it is advisable to always check the description of the packaging.
3. Cast iron skillet
Pans, woks and other cast iron pots do not go hand in hand with the dishwasher! Non-stick and ecological, these utensils cannot be washed at high temperatures. Their non-stick coating is very likely to suffer. To hope for a good durability of your frying pan or casserole, and prevent them from rusting or flaking, the ideal would be to clean them with salt or a little elbow grease before rinsing them delicately with water. lukewarm.
4. Baked dishes with too much burnt food
Pans and oven trays are almost always covered in burnt-on food, which can ruin your dishwasher. To avoid this inconvenience, it is better to wash them only by hand with baking soda. This natural product is particularly effective in banishing these burn spots thanks to its degreasing and disinfecting properties.
5. Porcelain plates
The dishwasher is far too powerful for dishes that are too delicate, such as porcelain or crystal. If you have collectible porcelain plates that are very expensive or even have sentimental value in your eyes, we strongly advise you to opt for manual washing. Hot water, combined with detergent, can quickly alter the color of your dishes. Not to mention that the spray arm is also likely to chip your precious dishes. Also, unlike ordinary glasses, crystal pieces are extremely vulnerable. The high temperature and pressure can even break your crystal glasses!
NB : as a general rule, it is always advisable to wash fragile utensils by hand.
6. Garlic press and grater
Garlic press – Source: spm
Due to its pasty and sticky texture, pieces of garlic can easily get stuck in the holes of the dishwasher. It would therefore be more appropriate to clean the garlic press by hand to restore its cleanliness and make it operational for the next use. The same goes for the grater, where everything gets stuck in the holes. Once you’ve cleaned them well, you can of course machine wash them, but the job will already have been done!
NB : As mentioned above, it is always imperative to rinse the dishes before putting them in the appliance. This prevents clogging of the filter due to food debris. Especially since the objects may not be washed properly and quickly rust.
7. Wooden cutting boards
Just like other wooden utensils, hot water can damage the surface of your cutting board, dulling it and causing it to lose its shape. But the damage does not stop there: the pressure may even scratch the wood to the point that certain small debris damage the rest of the dishes during the wash cycle.
8. Thin, sharp knives
If you have invested in rather expensive kitchen knives, it would be better to wash them by hand, as heat, humidity and even detergent will dull the steel blade and alter the cutting effect of specialty knives. Not to mention that the hard plastic in the dishwasher can easily be damaged by thin, sharp knives. These could also scratch the rest of the dishes. Unless you have a special compartment for knives. However, even to prevent rust from forming, the knives will last longer if you wash them by hand.
9. Copper utensils
Copper utensils – Source: spm
Copper pots , pans and cups are damaged in the dishwasher: the fine color of the copper fades and becomes dark. Hand washing is the best option!
NB : generally, the packaging of the utensils mentions whether they are machine washable or not.
10. Aluminum utensils
Your dishwasher is at great risk: aluminum objects may discolor the dishwasher and clog its circuits. This also applies to disposable items. In particular flexible plastic containers which can themselves become deformed, melt or stick to the wall of the device. It is therefore best to wash them by hand.
11. Bottles and jars with labels
If you want to keep your empty jam jar, be sure to remove the label and any sticky residue before putting it in the machine. This is because they come off in the dishwasher and can get stuck in the filter, which can still cause serious damage and cost you a lot more than a new jar of jam.
Good to know
So practical in everyday life, the dishwasher saves you a lot of effort. But it’s not a catch-all! Filling it to the brim or cluttering it with inappropriate utensils could ruin its longevity and performance. To prevent food residue from damaging it, encrusted dishes should always be pre-washed in boiling water to loosen the grease. Do not forget to systematically check the manufacture of certain objects with fragile materials or unsuitable for the device.
