March 6, 2024, 10:44 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The dishwasher has become indispensable in many households. It greatly eases our daily routine and saves us from tedious scrubbing and washing. To ensure your dishwasher lasts as long as possible, you should handle it with care.
Just one button press–and the dishwasher is running. Thanks to this household appliance, we save time and effort. Whether it’s plates, casserole dishes, or cutlery, it cleans everything in no time. However, some items should not go in the dishwasher. myHOMEBOOK reveals five things you should avoid putting in the machine, as they could cause damage.
1. Items with Labels or Stickers
Whether it’s grandma’s jam jar or honey from your trusted beekeeper–the jars should be freed from labels before the wash cycle. The adhesive used to attach labels to jars or other items can usually be removed with water. If you place these items in the dishwasher for cleaning, the labels may come off. When the water is pumped out of the machine, the stickers can be sucked in and clog the drain hoses.
2. Wrong Detergent Damages the Dishwasher
Without detergent, the dishes in the machine won’t get properly clean. However, it should be the right kind. Regular dish soap is one of the things that doesn’t belong in the dishwasher. It can create too much foam and overwhelm the machine. It’s better to stick with the recommended tabs and powders.
Related: 7 Things Besides Dishes That Can Go in the Dishwasher
3. Scrape Off Food Residue First
Unfortunately, we don’t live in America, where some drains have garbage disposals. If we put food scraps down the drain, our pipes get clogged. The same happens in the dishwasher. If you put plates with heavy soiling in the dishwasher, the screens, filters, and hoses can get clogged, and the machine may break down.
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4. Don’t Put Home Remedies in the Dishwasher
Home remedies can help us in many ways and make our daily lives easier. However, they are among the things you should not put in the dishwasher. Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, or baking powder can attack and damage delicate small parts in the dishwasher. The machine’s smooth operation can no longer be guaranteed.
5. Small Parts Block the Spray Arms
Small items like bottle caps or children’s toys should not be placed loosely in the dishwasher. During the wash cycle, they could damage the spray arms or other parts inside the dishwasher.
Don’t Put Glasses with Wax Residue in the Dishwasher
“When I tried to clean candle jars of wax residue, I found that the dishwasher was not suitable for this. The wax melted and clogged the drain hose. When it was hard and cold, I had to remove the hose under the sink and painstakingly clean it of wax. So: No wax in the dishwasher!”