Avoid a dishwasher disaster.
It’s a magical machine that replaces a precarious pile of dirty dishes with squeaky clean plates.
It works overtime every holiday, tailgate, and bake sale season yet still delivers.
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It’s a devastating mistake, but it happens to every avid dishwasher user.
Here’s a list of things you should never put in the dishwasher.
This kitchen tool is best cleaned by hand.
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The semi-opaque milk glass will look yellow after a cycle through the dishwasher.
A measuring cup isn’t helpful when the lines have disappeared.
Vintage melamine pieces often have patterns or designs that can dull in a dishwasher.
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Hand-Painted Items
Your favorite hand-painted piece won’t look the same once it starts to fade.
The same goes for plastic or metal insulated cups.
The insulated airspace that maintains the temperature of your hot or cold liquids gets compromised and loses efficiency.
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The heat dries natural wood cutting boards, making them look sad and faded.
Pressure Cooker Lids
This one is a big no-no.
While your pressure cooker pot might be acceptable, the lid poses a safety issue.
These things can lead to many problems, including pressure cooker explosions.
Nonstick Skillets & Sheet Pans
Some nonstick cookware is reportedly “dishwasher safe.”
Read your labels, and proceed with caution.
Stainless steel has a better chance in the machine, but you should always check the labels.
In our experience, better safe than sorry!
Before you line up yourheirloom dishesin the dishwasher, think again.
It can cause them to chip, fade, or lose their finish.
Hand-washing is essential if the patterns have any metallic details.
These pieces can also be stripped of their sheen or becomeetched or cloudyafter repeated washings.
As many pewter items are vintage or antique, this is especially true because of the delicate construction.
Leaving food on a plate can clog your dishwasher, making it susceptible to breaking in the future.
However, it’s crucial to remove the paper label beforehand.
So always remember, your dishwasher works some magic but not miracles.
Keep this list handy, and don’t ruin your favorite kitchen tools.
