Dishwashers are amazing appliances when you think about it. They can clean up to a week’s worth of crockery at a time, to a more hygienic standard than washing by hand, while using less water. And that’s not all dishwashers can do, they’re actually very versatile machines, accommodating larger pots and pans as well as kitchen utensils. But, there are lesser known things that can be cleaned in a dishwasher too.
Here, we’ve listed 10 things you never knew you could wash in a dishwasher, so you can make the most of this appliance. But, before we go into the list, remember that if you’re unsure on whether or not an item is suitable for the dishwasher, you should always play it safe and wash by hand instead. Otherwise you could end up damaging both the item and the dishwasher. Take a look at our list of 13 things you should never put in a dishwasher for further guidance.
Also, if you want to reduce your bills, here's 7 ways your dishwasher can save you money.
10 things you can wash in your dishwasher (other than dishes)
1. Plastic toys: Yes, plastic kids' toys such as building blocks can be run through the dishwasher. Gone are the days of germs and stickiness! Place them on the upper rack and run a low temperature cycle. The same goes for any plastic pet toys — most will actually say if they’re dishwasher-safe.
2. Oven shelves and fridge shelves: You don’t need to struggle over a sink anymore; both oven shelves and fridge shelves can be washed in a dishwasher. Each shelf should be stacked in the lower rack. While oven shelves can endure a hot cycle, fridge shelves should be washed on a standard cycle.
3. Light switch covers: These can get grubby from fingerprints surprisingly quickly. If you want to give them a deep clean, simply unscrew the covers (keeping the screws in a safe place) and place them in the upper rack of the dishwasher. Dry thoroughly before replacing. This is only recommended for plastic covers, not metal or brass.
4. Glass light fixtures: Struggle to hold your reach as you dust the glass on the light fixtures? Try running them through the dishwasher. Simply remove the glass covers and wash them along with the rest of your glassware. If your fixtures are particularly expensive or fragile, wash by hand instead. This is because it can chip and potentially damage your dishwasher — see how to make your dishwasher last longer for more info on this.
5. Baseball caps: Baseball caps can end up filled with sweat and grease, but can be damaged or misshapen by a washing machine, so why not try the dishwasher? Simply place your caps in the top rack, secure with rubber bands or plastic clothes pegs and run without detergent. Be sure to skip the drying cycle and hang it outside instead. This is not suitable for caps with cardboard brims and we don’t recommend it for vintage caps either!
6. Hair brushes: Hair brushes can harbor grease, oil and dead skin cells, so they need cleaning semi-regularly. As most are made from plastic, these are suitable to wash in the upper rack of the dishwasher. Just remove any hair before you add it to the load. Do not put a hairbrush with a wooden handle or boar-bristles in the dishwasher. The heat and moisture can damage these.
7. Flip Flops: Because they're on your feet, Flip Flops can end up smelling very quickly! Being made from rubber and plastic, these are actually better off in the dishwasher rather than the washing machine. Secure them in the top rack and turn off the drying cycle as it can damage any rubber.
8. Microwave turntable: Once food has dried onto the turntable, it can take a lot of elbow grease to remove it, so why not save yourself the effort and run it through the dishwasher? Always check your manual before doing so, but the majority are dishwasher-safe.
9. Sportswear: Sports gear can build up sweat and smell in as little as an hour. But how do you thoroughly wash awkward customers such as shin guards? As luck would have it, these can go into the dishwasher, along with mouthguards on the top rack. Use a low temperature wash and skip the dry cycle to avoid damage. Place your mouthguard in a mesh bag or utensil holder to secure it.
10. Vacuum cleaner attachments: Who would have thought about cleaning the vacuum cleaner? Take the non-electrical attachments apart and dislodge any blockages before washing in the dishwasher. For hygiene reasons, run this separately from a cycle with dishes, and run an empty cycle in between. Use a low temperature wash for this. Be sure to check the manual to see what your manufacturer recommends in case this voids the warranty.
