Now that keeping your home clean is more important than ever, you’re probably looking for ways to keep your home safe without having to spend every waking moment in disinfecting mode.
You’re Probably Disinfecting Your Kitchen Wrong—Here’s How to Do It
Turns out, your dishwasher is the perfect partner in crime for such a mission. “While dishwashers have become a standard staple across many modern kitchens, it’s safe to say they’re still widely considered one of the mostunderrated appliances,” says Paul Berry, owner ofMr. Applianceof San Antonio, aNeighborlycompany.
Besides being a tremendous water- and energy-saver, dishwashers can safely help with cleaning items around the house that have nothing to do with your plates and cutlery.
Getty / Johner Images
How to Use Your Dishwasher to Clean Household Items
“If you’re loading your dishwasher with non-kitchen items, be sure to empty out the appliance completely, and depending on the item you plan to clean, use detergent at your own discretion,” says Berry. (If you’re washing an item that might be at risk for discoloration, make sure you use a detergent that doesn’t contain bleach, he adds.)
Also, be mindful that there are heating elements at the bottom of your machine. “A general rule of thumb is to place any item you’re worried about damaging—or potentially falling into the heating element—into a mesh bag before running a cleaning cycle,” says Berry. (We likethis set of five mesh bags from Amazon, $10)
If the items you cleaned weren’t that dirty or just needed a freshening up, you can go back to your regularly scheduled programming. But if you notice any lingering residue or smells in your dishwasher, make sure to clean it before doing your next load of dishes.
Start with cleaning the drain. “After washing items not meant for the dishwasher, it’s essential to remove any gunk left behind from the drain,” says Cyrus Bedwyr, a professional kitchen and oven cleaning specialist forFantastic Servicesin the UK. “This will increase the dishwasher’s cleaning efficiency and prevent future damage.”
You can then run a cycle with a commercial cleaner, likeAffresh ($6, Amazon), to get your dishwasher’s innards back to pristine condition.
Ready to get started? Here are 18 items you can clean in your dishwasher posthaste.
Surprising Things You Can Put in Your Dishwasher
1. Silicone Oven Mitts
Odds are, your oven mitts work as hard as you do in the kitchen and they deserve a good cleaning. “Silicone mitts are safe in the dishwasher,” says Berry. “Place them on the top rack and put them through a regular wash cycle.”
2. Appliance Knobs
As long as they’re plastic, it’s totally fine to put them in the dishwasher, says Shirley Langridge, a kitchen appliance cleaning expert atMaggie’s Oven Servicesin the UK. Pop them into a mesh bag and place them on the top shelf before your next cycle.
3. Kitchen Sponges and Reusable Paper Towels
4. Microwave Turntables
“Generally, these glass turntables can go into the dishwasher on the bottom rack, but it’s always best to read your microwave’s manual first before tossing it into the dishwasher,” suggests Berry.
5. Fridge Shelves and Drawers
6. Potatoes
It may not be the most traditional approach to prepping potatoes, butit’s been known to get the job donein a pinch.
7. Loofahs and Bath Sponges
“Once you load up the sponges you want cleaned, simply turn the dishwasher on the ‘heated dry’ setting, or the hottest cycle your particular appliance has,” says Bedwyr.
8. Hairbrushes, Makeup Brushes and Toothbrushes
9. Shower Caddies, Soap Dishes and Toothbrush Holders
“Bathroom accessories, like soap dishes and toothbrush holders, can easily rack up residue,” says Berry. “To sanitize these items, place them on the top rack and run a cycle with detergent at least once a week.”
10. Washing-Machine Detergent Drawers
“These can become clogged with soap, softener and sometimes mold on the back, so it’s recommended that you place them in the dishwasher (top rack) for optimal cleaning,” says Berry. (Make sure to check your washing machine’s manual first to confirm your detergent drawers are dishwasher safe, and don’t dry them in the dishwasher—otherwise, you run the risk of warping the plastic.)
11. Baseball Caps
Caps tend to get sweaty and greasy, but throwing them in the washing machine can bend them out of shape. Instead, secure your cap around the pegs of your dishwasher’s top rack for an easy clean that holds its shape in place. (“There are also special devices to ensure your cap stays in shape in the dishwasher,” says Berry. We likethis $8 cap cleaner from Amazon.)
Set your dishwasher to a normal wash cycle using warm (not hot) water, and make sure the heated-dry option is turned off to avoid shrinkage. Instead, air-dry your caps anywhere you can find strong air circulation.
12. Flip-Flops
Flip-flops can be secured in the top rack and rinsed with your favorite dishwashing detergent to remove any lingering dirt and smells, says Berry. Use a non-heat setting to steer clear of shoe damage, and just like your baseball caps, let your flip-flops air-dry in a location with optimal air circulation.
13. Pet Collars and Leashes
“Typically, these items are made from synthetic materials like nylon, polyester and cotton, which can be placed in the top rack,” says Berry. Clip them to the rack to help them stay put, then put them through a regular wash cycle. (“Never place anything made from leather in your dishwasher,” adds Berry.)
14. Toys
15. Trash cans
16. Keys
Keys are one of the dirtiest things we carry around. “Cleaning them in the dishwasher is quite easy—simply slide the keyring around one of the pegs in the top rack,” says Bedwyr. “You can run the dishwasher on whatever setting you want, since most keys are made of metal.” (Just make sure to take any electronic keys off the keyring first.)
17. Gardening Tools
Running your gardening tools through the dishwasher on high heat is a great way to remove any pesticides and residue hanging around from your latest gardening project. “If your tools have wooden handles, though, you’ll want to avoid placing these in the dishwasher, as this can warp and potentially cause damage to your gardening tools,” says Berry. To keep rust at bay, thoroughly dry your tools post-wash.
18. Golf Balls
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
See More from EatingWellStop What You’re Doing: Hoka’s Bestselling Bondi 8 Sneaker Is $50 Off Right NowLe Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s DayThese Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight Oats
See More from EatingWell
Stop What You’re Doing: Hoka’s Bestselling Bondi 8 Sneaker Is $50 Off Right NowLe Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s DayThese Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight Oats
Stop What You’re Doing: Hoka’s Bestselling Bondi 8 Sneaker Is $50 Off Right Now
Le Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day
These Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight Oats
