Right or wrong: what you can put in a dishwasher and what you shouldn’t

Wood, copper, shower heads - have you ever wondered what belongs in the dishwasher and what is better washed by hand? Discover the right answers.

Cooker hood filters can certainly be washed in your appliance – so say goodbye to annoying scrubbing and cleaning. On the other hand, wood is better washed by hand. Not only can it warp at high temperatures, it swells when wet and can crack, creating an ideal place for bacteria to breed.

Save yourself time and effort cleaning lime scale off your shower head – it’s fine to put in the dishwasher. Sharp knives, however, should be washed by hand as even one washing cycle can damage the blade and cause bluntness.

If your child’s toys don’t contain batteries, you can happily clean them in your dishwasher. It’s hygienic, too. But your expensive crystal glasses are better washed by hand. Dishwasher detergent and salt can damage the surface and cause glass corrosion.

Copper needs special treatment and should be cleaned by hand – it can turn black due to an oxidation process inside the dishwasher. In contrast, toothbrush holders are easy to clean and keep hygienic. Simply pop them in your appliance every now and then.

It might sound odd, but you can wash caps in your dishwasher. There are even special holders for them. Simply place them on the upper rack and use a low temperature programme. In comparison, non-stick pans shouldn’t be cleaned in the dishwasher. Salt, detergent together with the water pressure damage the coating and take the ‘non’ out of your non-stick pans.