If you are concerned about the safety of your dishwasher and the high appliance repair costs, you should avoid washing certain items, including disposable aluminum. They can leave a black residue in your dishwasher and ruin gold-plated dishes. Also, you should avoid washing insulated mugs or water bottles because they can be left with water inside them. Instead, you should clean them by hand. And, if you have any adhesives on your items, you should remove them before putting them in the dishwasher.

Here’s a list of general-day kitchen items that are not dishwasher safe. You should avoid putting them in if you don’t want to call appliance services for repairs.

1. Hand-painted pottery:

Dishwashers are not the best choice for hand-painted pottery. Hand-painted pottery is often made of earthenware, which is thick, heavy, and rustic in appearance. It absorbs heat, swells, and flexes. Hand-painted ceramics are generally glazed and may be dishwasher safe, but they are not dishwasher safe if they are unglazed.

2. Hand-painted cutting boards:

Dishwashers are not designed to clean hand-painted cutting boards. Plastic and thin wood cutting boards can warp or melt in the dishwasher.

Likewise, you should not place granite and glass cutting boards in a dishwasher to avoid a costly appliance service repair.

3. Aluminum and copper pots and pans:

Aluminum and copper cookware will not remain in good condition if they are cleaned in the dishwasher regularly. They will also oxidize. The most common way to maintain the luster of copper cookware is to polish it with a solution of Bar Keepers Friend and water. Stainless steel pots and pans should always be hand washed, though there are some types that are dishwasher safe.

Dishwashers can damage aluminum pans and pots, especially if they are non-anodized. Dishwashing detergents that are alkaline will dissolve the aluminum surface, revealing the active metal underneath. When the aluminum reacts with phosphates in the water, sodium aluminum phosphate is formed. This precipitates out of the water and sticks to aluminum pans.

4. Nonstick pots and pans:

If you want to use nonstick pots and pans, make sure you follow the instructions carefully. You should avoid overheating the pots and pans and clean them on low or medium heat. Also, avoid buying items with a tag that says “nonstick” without further explanation. Buying pots and pans that are clearly labeled is always a better idea for your safety and for avoiding costly dishwasher repair.

5. Insulated water bottles:

While most insulated water bottles are not dishwasher safe, there are a few that are. Choose one with a removable lid, for example. Depending on your needs and preference, you can easily wash these bottles by hand or in the dishwasher. Also, check the insulating material. Most insulated water bottles are made from stainless steel, but other materials are also used. Check the exterior material, too, since some may have rubber grips or a protective base.

6. Wooden utensils:

The first reason you should not use a dishwasher for wooden utensils is that wood is an organic material. Too much water can cause it to break down. Also, dishwasher detergent can damage wooden utensils. However, you can restore the finish and sheen of wooden utensils by using a mineral oil/beeswax combination. These oils protect the wood from stains, but they do not turn rancid.

Unless the wood cutting board has a dishwasher-safe symbol, it should only be washed by hand. Dishwashers are not the best way to clean wooden cutting boards, which can warp or splinter.

7. Fragile glassware:

It’s important to avoid putting fragile glassware in the dishwasher if you don’t want to call appliance services. These items can break under high temperatures. They also can be ruined by detergents. For the best results, wash delicate glassware by hand.

8. Plastic items:

You probably have heard the warnings before about plastics in the dishwasher, but you may be surprised to find that you can safely put some plastic items in the dishwasher. The dishwasher uses hot water and strong detergents to clean your dishes. These methods can be harsh on plastics, and the heat will cause them to break down and wear more quickly. In addition, dishwashers can leave a hazy white film on plastic dishes. This film is the result of minerals in hard tap water, and it can etch plastic containers with tiny scratches. These scratches can harbor germs and food.

9. Insulated cups:

Most RTIC tumblers are not dishwasher safe, so they need to be hand washed after each use. Tumblers made by Yeti are the exception to this rule, as they are dishwasher safe, and the company has done extensive testing to ensure the quality and durability of their products. But this doesn’t mean you should give up your RTIC tumbler just yet.

10. Cast iron:

The dishwasher can strip the seasoning from cast iron pans. This seasoning is a thin layer of fat that coats the surface of the pans and prevents them from rusting. The dishwasher also leaves moisture on the pans, which can cause rusting when they’re stored.

11. Carbon steel:

Carbon steel cookware is often a better choice if you want to use a non-stick surface. It is inexpensive and very durable. However, it does require seasoning before use. You should use vegetable oil or lard when seasoning. It also needs to be rinsed after use in acidic or salty conditions. It is better for professionals than the average home cook. Carbon steel cookware is not dishwasher safe and requires a bit of care to avoid costly dishwasher repair.

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