Having a dishwasher is the ultimate lazy chore hack - you just chuck it in, walk away, job done... until you have to unload the thing.
But according to Consumer NZ, there are a few things you should NEVER be putting in there - and one of them is surprisingly common.
I thought wooden spoons, utensils, and chopping boards could go straight in the rack, right? Wrong.
Repeated hot washes can actually cause them to warp, crack, and even eventually fall apart.
Honestly, considering how many of us do this without thinking (guilty), it’s a bit shocking.
The glue in utensils with wooden or bone handles can also weaken and come loose in the heat - meaning your fave tool could just fall to bits.
But it’s not just wood on the no-go list. There are a few more you might want to avoid.
Cast iron cookware should never go in the dishwasher because the seasoning can strip, and you’ll end up with rust.
Copper and brass also shouldn’t go through a cycle, or they’ll discolour and be an absolute punish to clean.
Another one that made me give myself a wee slap on the wrist, is thermos flasks and insulated drink bottles. How many of us have thrown them in time and time again?
Apparently, it’s doing no good for the seals and insulation, which can ruin their whole function.
On the more obvious side, silver or silver-plated items will tarnish, crystal or delicate glassware could go cloudy or crack, and if you’re putting fine china or anything with a gold trim in there… maybe you shouldn’t own a dishwasher at all. Too harsh?
And lastly, always check for sticker labels on your dishes. You don’t want to be fishing soggy bits out of a clogged filter.
So yeah, dishwashers are great - but not everything belongs in there, or you’ll be stuck hand-washing the lot anyway.
