{"id":21821,"date":"2026-07-30T07:42:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T07:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/?p=21821"},"modified":"2026-07-30T07:42:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T07:42:03","slug":"18-things-you-should-never-put-in-the-dishwasher-even-if-the-temptation-is-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/2026\/07\/30\/18-things-you-should-never-put-in-the-dishwasher-even-if-the-temptation-is-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"18 things you should never put in the dishwasher (even if the temptation is strong)"},"content":{"rendered":"

But there’s a catch: your dishwasher isn’t as gentle as it looks. It’s more like a high-pressure chemical bath at high temperature. Ideal for plates. Not very suitable for anything else.<\/span><\/p>\n

And quite honestly? One wrong load of laundry could cost you your favorite pan, an expensive knife set, or that sentimental mug you carelessly threw into the washing machine.<\/span><\/p>\n

So let’s talk about the usual suspects \u2013 and a few surprises \u2013 before your dishwasher teaches you a painful lesson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wait a minute\u2026 Why is the dishwasher so aggressive?<\/span>
\nBefore we get to the list, it’s helpful to understand what’s going on inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

A dishwasher rinses with hot water (sometimes very hot), mixes it with a strong detergent, and sprays everything under high pressure. The items are then dried with even more heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

This combination \u2013 heat + humidity + chemicals \u2013 is exactly what damages certain materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some things crack. Others fade. A few quietly disintegrate over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

And you don’t always notice it immediately, which is part of the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

The obvious “don’t even think about it” items:<\/span>
\nwooden kitchen utensils and cutting boards.<\/span>
\nWood and dishwashers simply don’t mix.<\/span><\/p>\n

The natural oils in the wood? The ones that make it smooth and durable? Dishwashing liquid removes them. What’s left is dry, brittle wood that eventually cracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

And soaking only makes it worse \u2013 it warps, swells up, everything is simply ruined.<\/span><\/p>\n

Briefly hand wash. Dry immediately. That’s how.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kitchen knives:<\/span>
\nPutting knives in the dishwasher is like throwing your phone in the washing machine and hoping for the best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three problems at once:<\/span><\/p>\n

The blade will dull faster.<\/span>
\nThe handle (especially if it’s wooden) can splinter.<\/span>
\nThere’s a risk of cuts when taking it out.<\/span>
\nFrankly, a good knife deserves better. Wash it by hand \u2013 it only takes 10 seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cast iron cooking utensils<\/span>
\nIf you’ve ever seasoned a cast iron pan, you know this hurts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dishwashers remove this carefully built-up layer of oil in no time. Gone. Just like that.<\/span><\/p>\n

And without it? Rust. Clogging. Regret.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, even enamelled cast iron is not completely safe here. Caution is advised.<\/span><\/p>\n

The insidious troublemakers:<\/span>
\nAluminum pots and pans.<\/span>
\nHave you ever noticed that aluminum looks dull and stained after being washed in the dishwasher?<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not a one-off event, but a chemical reaction. Over time, it leads to corrosion and pitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if “dishwasher safe” is stated, this is often a technical, not a practical, truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cookware and mugs made of copper.<\/span>
\nCopper is beautiful. That warm glow? Unrivaled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dishwashing liquids, however, have no regard for aesthetics. They dull surfaces almost immediately and can cause permanent damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Moscow Mule mug deserves a gentle hand wash, not chemical treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pressure cooker lid.<\/span>
\nNow things are getting a bit more serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lids of pressure cookers have valves and seals for pressure regulation. When washing them in the dishwasher, food residue can get stuck in these small mechanisms.<\/span><\/p>\n

At best, it doesn’t work properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the worst case scenario, it becomes unsafe.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s not worth the risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

“But it says dishwasher safe…” (Caution!)<\/span>
\nNon-stick pans:<\/span>
\nYes, many are labeled as dishwasher safe. And technically speaking, they don’t melt.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the coating deteriorates more quickly over time. High temperatures and cleaning agents shorten its lifespan.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want your pan to last a long time, avoid using the dishwasher \u2013 or at least the drying cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ceramic-coated cookware:<\/span>
\nHere’s a curious fact \u2013 ceramic pans are not made entirely of ceramic. It’s just a coating.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this coating cannot tolerate aggressive cleaning agents or acidic cleaners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hand washing helps to preserve the smooth surface for longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acrylic and melamine tableware<\/span>
\nis popular for good reason \u2013 it is lightweight, colorful and break-resistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, dishwashers can cause the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

Fading,<\/span>
\ncracks,<\/span>
\ndeformations \u2013<\/span>
\nthese things don’t happen overnight, which is why they are easily overlooked\u2026 until they become obvious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sentimental items (don’t take any risks)<\/span>
\nPrinted or hand-painted glassware<\/span>
\nDo you know those measuring cups where the markings slowly disappear?<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes \u2013 that’s the dishwasher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Printed designs can fade after just a few washes. Hand-painted pieces? Even more delicate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fine porcelain with a metal rim \u2013<\/span>
\ngold accents and dishwashers don’t mix.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cleaning agents and sprays can cause the metal coating to flake off. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if the rest of the artwork survives, it will no longer look the same as before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vintage porcelain and delicate crystal.<\/span>
\nSome things aren’t about convenience, but about preservation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Older pieces, especially repaired ones, can lose strength under heat and pressure. Crystal glass can become cloudy over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

You could risk it\u2026 but why should you?<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyday items that are easily forgotten:<\/span>
\nInsulated mugs and cups.<\/span>
\nThese use a sealed air gap for insulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

High temperatures can destroy this seal. Once water gets in, it’s all over.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your mug, which used to keep coffee hot for 6 hours, will simply become a cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thin plastic containers.<\/span>
\nWe’ve all done it \u2013 simply thrown food into a takeaway container, assuming it would be fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes that’s how it is.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, however, it comes out distorted, like modern art.<\/span><\/p>\n

The top rack helps. Avoiding tumble drying helps even more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Containers with paper labels.<\/span>
\nThe issue here isn’t so much damage as chaos.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paper labels come loose, float around and clog the filter or drain.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s a small thing \u2013 but a delicate matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gold-colored<\/span>
\ncutlery, unlike stainless steel, is not very durable.<\/span><\/p>\n

They lose their shine quickly, sometimes unevenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then you have an unsuitable set that just looks… odd.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sterling silver knife (with hollow handles).<\/span>
\nThis one is unusually special \u2013 but important.<\/span><\/p>\n

The heat can cause the adhesive inside the handle to loosen, leading to detachment.<\/span><\/p>\n

You don’t notice it right away. But once it happens, there’s no easy solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frosted glass.<\/span>
\nA niche product, but still worth mentioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Repeated washing cycles in the dishwasher can lead to yellowing. Initially, it is barely visible, but then suddenly becomes clearly noticeable.<\/span><\/p>\n

So\u2026 what\u2019s the rule of thumb?<\/span>
\nHere\u2019s a simple way to think about it:<\/span><\/p>\n

If the items are made of wood, are delicate, coated, sealed, or sentimental, you should not put them in the dishwasher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, it requires a little more effort. A minute here, two minutes there.<\/span><\/p>\n

But compare that to having to replace a good frying pan \u2013 or even worse, losing something that is really important to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final thought (because this keeps coming up):<\/span>
\nYou can occasionally put some of these items in the dishwasher without hesitation.<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s the unvarnished truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it’s a bit like neglecting to change the oil in your car. Nothing breaks down immediately… until it does.<\/span><\/p>\n

And when it happens, it’s usually at the worst possible time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the dishwasher isn’t magic after all \u2013 but simply a truly powerful tool that deserves some respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

And once you’ve made it a habit, washing your hands and some important items no longer feels like a chore. It simply feels more sensible.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

But there’s a catch: your dishwasher isn’t as gentle as it looks. It’s more like a high-pressure chemical bath at…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21821"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21823,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21821\/revisions\/21823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}