9 Things You Should Never Put in the Dishwasher
Are you sitting down for this?
You want to save time—and let's be honest: Who wants to do dishes when you don't have to?—but tossing certain things in the dishwasher will only cost you more (in money, time and sheer, unbridled rage).
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Enameled Cast-Iron Pots and Pans
Though many enameled pans are technically dishwasher safe, Le Creuset warns that regular dishwashing can dull the enamel, and some people have complained about it chipping in the wash.
Soft Plastics
The general rule: If you can't put hot liquids in it, don't put it in the dishwasher. Any soft plastics—particularly butter or yogurt tubs, which you may want to wash and reuse once they're empty—should be hand-washed. (Also, just because the bottle is dishwasher safe doesn't mean the lid necessarily is.)
Cast-Iron Skillets
For the love of s'mores skillet cookie cake, don't do it. These skillets are seasoned with oil to prevent rusting, and putting them through the wash wears it away.
Pet Feeders
Fishing your hand into the bowl and scrubbing off old cat food may seem like enough of a hassle to make you tempt fate and just toss it in the dishwasher, but as one Flickr user learned, the time saved isn't worth it.
Colanders
Enameled colanders can chip, just like enameled cast-iron pans, but there's a secondary reason: Sharp-edged metal colanders can nick dishwashing racks, causing the rack to rust.
Insulated Travel Mugs—Even If They're Marked "Dishwasher Safe"
Most insulated mugs have a space between the inner and outer layers, and water can get trapped inside while the cup's in the dishwasher. This can lead to that musky, slightly moldy smell that never quite goes away, and makes your coffee taste like broken dreams.
Cutting Boards
The heat and water can warp and crack your cutting board. What's even worse: The juices from raw meat can get caught in the cracks, increasing your risks of contaminating your food.
Anything Gold-Plated or Delicate
The heat and detergent can wear away the gold finish, not to mention the fact that delicate dishes can rattle around and shatter during the wash cycle.
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