WASHING SPECIAL ITEMS
If you have doubts about washing a particular item, check with the manufacturer to see if it is dishwasher safe.
Material | Dishwasher Safe?/Comments |
|
|
Aluminum | Yes |
| High water temperature and detergents |
| can affect finish of anodized aluminum. |
|
|
Disposable | No |
Aluminum | Do not wash throwaway aluminum pans |
| |
| in the dishwasher. These might shift |
| during washing and transfer black marks |
| to dishes and other items. |
|
|
Bottles and Cans | No |
| Wash bottles and cans by hand. Labels |
| attached with glue can loosen and clog |
| the spray arms or pump and reduce |
| washing performance. |
|
|
Cast Iron | No |
| Seasoning will be removed and iron will |
| rust. |
|
|
China/ | Yes |
Stoneware | Always check manufacturer’s |
| |
| recommendations before washing. |
| Antique, |
| patterns may fade. Gold leaf can discolor |
| or fade. |
|
|
Crystal | Yes |
| Check manufacturer’s recommendations |
| before washing. Some types of leaded |
| crystal can etch with repeated washing. |
|
|
Gold | No |
| |
|
|
Glass | Yes |
| Milk glass yellows with repeated |
| dishwasher washing. |
|
|
No | |
Knives | Handles of some knives are attached to |
| |
| the blade with adhesives which can |
| loosen if washed in the dishwasher. |
|
|
Pewter, Brass, | No |
Bronze | High water temperatures and detergent |
| |
| can discolor or pit the finish. |
|
|
Disposable | No |
Plastics | Cannot withstand high water |
| |
| temperatures and detergents. |
|
|
Plastics | Yes |
| Always check manufacturer’s |
| recommendations before washing. |
| Plastics vary in their capacity to withstand |
| high temperatures and detergents. Load |
| plastics in top rack only. |
Material | Dishwasher Safe?/Comments |
|
|
Stainless Steel | Yes |
| Run a rinse cycle if not washing |
| immediately. Prolonged contact with food |
| containing salt, vinegar, milk products, or |
| fruit juice can damage finish. |
Sterling Silver or | Yes |
Silver Plate | Run a rinse cycle if not washing |
| |
| immediately. Prolonged contact with food |
| containing salt, acid, or sulfide (eggs, |
| mayonnaise, and seafood) can damage |
| finish. |
Tin | No |
| Can rust. |
|
|
Wooden Ware | No |
| Wash by hand. Always check |
| manufacturer’s instructions before |
| washing. Untreated wood can warp, |
| crack, or lose its finish. |
DISHWASHER CARE
Cleaning Your Dishwasher
Cleaning the exterior
In most cases, regular use of a soft, damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent is all that is necessary to keep the outside of your dishwasher looking nice and clean.
Cleaning the interior
Hard water minerals can cause a white film to build up on the inside surfaces, especially just beneath the door area.
Do not clean the dishwasher interior until it has cooled. Wear rubber gloves. Do not use any type of cleanser other than dishwasher detergent because it may cause foaming or sudsing.
To clean interior
Make a paste with powdered dishwasher detergent on a damp sponge and clean.
OR
Use liquid automatic dishwasher detergent and clean with a damp sponge.
OR
See the vinegar rinse procedure in “Spotting and filming on dishes” in “Troubleshooting.”
NOTE: Run a Normal cycle with detergent after cleaning the interior.
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