A dishwasher can be used for a lot of things, from glass, and plastics to metal. Some items shouldn’t be placed in them. These include the following:
Wood, bronze, brass, delicate China, nonstick pans, large knives, and wine glasses. The hot water could break them or remove details. It can stain the other items in your dishwasher as well. For these reasons, they shouldn’t be in your machine. You will have to wash these by hand. This machine should only be used for dishes, don’t wash clothes or books in it as this will damage them as well.
If you have a party or a lot of dishes, it is a great idea to sort items beforehand so that it is easier to know where things have to go. This also makes sure that you don’t accidentally place forbidden items in the machine. A wooden spoon can be quite small and slip in between other items if you are not careful.
Let’s take a look if the following items can go in the dishwasher:
Can you put scallop shells in the dishwasher?
You might have used scallop shells for a dish and might wonder if you can place them in the dishwasher.
This depends on the material that they are made out of. If they are natural, the color might fade away in a dishwasher. If they are made out of metals, it shouldn’t be a problem. Some plastics can deform as dishwashers use very hot water.
To be sure, you have to know what material they are made out of. In most instances, it is not recommended to place scallop shells in the dishwasher. If there is a label that they are dishwasher safe, then they can be placed in the dishwasher. You can also use a program on the dishwasher that produces less heat.
The best solution generally is to handwash them. Rinse them off and let the scallop shells air dry for a few hours. They should be usable again after this!
Can you put rocks in the dishwasher?
You might have found some great rocks while you are walking. Given that they are somewhat dirty, you can wonder if they can be placed in the dishwasher.
No, rocks can break apart in the dishwasher. The heat and water pressure can break parts of them and this can cause damage. It could lead to a clogged dishwasher drain or dents in your dishwasher.
Given that dishwashers are expensive appliances, it is best to make sure that it doesn’t get damaged. It can be really difficult to get rocks out of drains as they don’t break apart easily. An auger or water pressure might not work and your plumber might have to open up some drains. This can involve breaking drywall. All of this is expensive and not worth the risk.
Rocks can be cleaned in tepid water with some soap. You can let them air dry.
Can you put seashells or clam shells in the dishwasher?
You might have gone for a walk on the beach and found some nice shells. The only problem is that they are quite dirty. Can you place them in the dishwasher?
It is better to handwash them. Seashells are quite small and could get stuck in your drain. It is very difficult to remove these and a plumber will have to use advanced tools such as an auger to get them out.
Furthermore, the shells can break as dishwashers use a lot of water pressure. Finally, they also might discolor as dishwashers use a lot of heat. It would be a pity to transform a glowing sea shell into a dull one.
For these reasons, it is better to handwash these shells. Use some soap and let them air dry for a few hours and they should be clean again! You can also use a small brush if needed.
Can you put driftwood in the dishwasher?
You might have found a nice piece of driftwood while you were walking. Given that it is quite dirty, you might wonder if you can place it in the dishwasher.
You shouldn’t place driftwood in the dishwasher. It can contain sand and moss. All of these items can clog up a dishwasher drain. This is quite annoying to fix as you have to open up the drain to remove these items.
Furthermore, wood might get discolored by the soap that is used in the dishwasher. It is better to handwash driftwood and use a soft brush to clean it. This can take more work but will make sure that your dishwasher and the driftwood won’t break.
Wood can soak up a lot of water and this can make it bend and break over time. For this reason, you shouldn’t add too much water to the wood. Just give it a quick rinse and it should be clean again.
You can let it air dry once this is done. Place it outside in the sun if you can. Make sure that you remove all the dirt before you bring it back inside.
To conclude, we can state that a lot of items can’t be washed in the dishwasher. They can’t withstand heat, water pressure, or soap. You have to be considerate about what you place in a dishwasher as it can break or the drain can clog.
Source
https://www.miele.com/pmedia/ZGA/TX2070/9953540-000-02_9953540-02.pdf