Not everything that can get wet belongs in a dishwasher. The exact dishwasher-safe list varies by manufacturer, but these eight items are commonly better washed by hand:
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Wooden cutting boards and utensils — Heat and prolonged water exposure can cause wood to warp, crack, or split.
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Cast-iron cookware — Dishwasher detergent and prolonged moisture can strip seasoning and encourage rust.
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Carbon-steel pans — Like cast iron, they can lose their protective seasoning and rust.
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Sharp kitchen knives — Dishwasher detergents, heat, and movement can dull blades; some handles can also deteriorate.
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Copper cookware — Dishwasher detergents can tarnish or discolor the copper and damage its finish.
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Delicate crystal or hand-painted glassware — Heat and aggressive detergents can cause clouding, decoration damage, or breakage.
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Insulated travel mugs and vacuum flasks — Unless specifically labeled dishwasher-safe, heat and water can damage seals, insulation, or decorative finishes.
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Nonstick cookware that isn’t labeled dishwasher-safe — Repeated exposure to high heat and detergent can shorten the life of the coating.
One important rule
Check the manufacturer’s instructions first. Some modern versions of these items are dishwasher-safe, while others aren’t.
Also, don’t assume that “dishwasher-safe” means an item can go anywhere in the machine. Plastics, for example, may need to stay on the top rack to avoid excessive heat.
And for anything valuable, antique, wooden, coated, or made from mixed materials, hand-washing is usually the safer choice.
