20 Surprising Things You Can Clean inside your Dishwasher

Along with a microwave oven, a dishwasher may be the other great time-saving appliance to have in your kitchen. Load up the racks and utensil basket with dirty dishes, glassware, mugs, and silverware, add dishwasher detergent, hit the start button, and go live your life while the appliance cleans up. With respect to the model, you can even select how thorough you would like the dishware cleaned while avoiding an overuse of water; select a setting to actually sanitize the dishware; and allow the appliance to dry the contents having its heating element so the plates, bowls, cups, forks, spoons, knives, etc. can go directly from the dishwasher towards the cabinet shelves or drawers, ready for the next mealtime. In fact, dishwashers are so convenient, you may even be tempted to load them track of something other than dishware.

What else can one wash in my dishwasher besides dishes?

Wait a minute. Can a dishwasher really be used to clean items other than the traditional plates, glassware, coffee mugs, and silverware? Obviously! Here's a list of 20 surprising things you can put in your dishwasher right now:

1. Toothbrushes – Set these right in the utensil basket with the bristles facing upward and, if available, choose the “Sanitize” setting to make sure you're killing any lingering germs.
2. Toothbrush holders – We're all familiar with the unsightly residue that collects at the end of these holders. Remove the top, if applicable, and set them upside down on the dishwasher's upper or lower rack for a thorough cleaning.
3. Soap dishes – Since we're referring to bathroom items, setting a soap dish among the dishwasher rack tines next time you run a wash cycle is really a quick way to remove stubborn soap scum.
4. Mouthguards – Another item that you employ in your mouth regularly, so you'll want to make sure you sanitize it often. Securing the mouthguard in the utensil basket is a convenient method of doing this.
5. Manicure/pedicure tools – Nail clippers and files should be sanitized frequently as well. These metal objects can be placed in the utensil basket right alongside the silverware.
6. Plastic hair brushes – As long as the hair brush or comb consists of plastic or nylon, you can safely clean it in a dishwasher. This isn't recommended if the brush's handle consists of wood since the water may cause the wood to warp and crack. Also, these things should be placed on the upper dishrack to ensure that they're further away from the heating element (to avoid the plastic from melting).
7. Scrub brushes – Why stop with hair brushes? Scrub brushes collect lots of dirt and debris with use, therefore it is a good idea to run them through a dishwasher wash cycle from time-to-time.
8. Dust pans – While we're on the subject of cleaning items, a metal or plastic dust pan can fit quite nicely on a lower dishrack next to a pot or pan.
9. Small trash cans – As these items are comparable to the size of a cooking pot, there's no reason not to set them upside down on the lower dishrack and give them a great cleaning now and then.
10. Vacuum attachments – The small brushes and nozzles utilized on your vacuum are going to get dirty, too. They can often fit quite easily over the dishrack tines.
11. Plastic toys – Small bath toys, or ones without electronics or metal vulnerable to corrosion, can be cleaned/sanitized in the dishwasher as well. As with the hair brushes, place these items on the upper dishrack only.
12. Car cupholders – Many car cupholders can be simply detached and placed on a dishrack or perhaps in the utensil basket for any thorough cleaning.
13. Kitchen sponges – When there is anything you use in the kitchen that can benefit from sanitizing, it's one of these simple!
14. Plastic food storage containers – This one is obvious, but many plastic containers are not only seen microwave safe, but is it dishwasher safe as well. While we're on the subject of kitchen items that can be cleaned in a dishwasher-
15. Microwave glass trays – Yep, get that turntable tray as sparkling clean as your other glassware by simply placing it alongside your plates within the lower dishrack.
16. Grease filters – Whether found in a range vent hood or on the bottom of a microwave/hood combo, grease filters can be simply cleaned in a dishwasher to enhance their filtration ability and extend their life.
17. Cooktop and oven control knobs – These things are frequently being coated with grease, oils, and spaghetti sauce whenever a cooktop is in use. Since they're relatively simple to remove, why not set them in the utensil basket and run them via a dishwasher wash cycle to help keep them looking like new?
18. Silicone oven mitts – While they're not a traditional clothing item, there's nothing wrong with cleaning them in the dishwasher from time-to-time. But only if the mitts are silicone-based; cloth mitts ought to be washed normally in a washing machine.
19. Flip–flops – Speaking of clothing items, you wouldn't like to clean most footwear in a dishwasher, but cheap flip-flops? Sure. Just make sure the straps don't interfere with the spinning wash arms.
20. Golf balls – Hey, who would like to play with grimy balls? Place these within the utensil basket (sometime referred to as a “silverware caddy”!) to secure them during the wash cycle.

Use common sense when loading your dishwasher

Since dishracks and baskets are designed to secure standard dishware and utensils during dishwasher operation, you'll want to be careful when cleaning non-traditional items. Anything that could slip through a dishrack or interfere with a wash arm ought to be secured in the basket. You may even need to place any smaller or unwieldly components of a mesh bag that will allow the water and detergent to achieve the items while preventing them from falling into the drain filter and pump components.

Find the best dishwasher parts with Repair Clinic

Since your dishwasher is really a handy appliance to clean dishware and so much more, you'll want to make sure you keep it in peak operating condition. Repair Clinic stocks all the parts you need to repair or keep up with the appliance, including drain hoses, water inlet valves, drain pumps, spray arms, dishracks, rack rollers, heating elements, and much more. Just type the full model no . of your dishwasher into the Repair Clinic website search bar to show a complete list of appliance parts suitable for your appliance. You can use the part category and part title filters to refine that list to identify the specific part you want. Repair Clinic carries parts for the top brand dishwashers including Bosch, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Maytag, Samsung, GE, Frigidaire, LG, and Whirlpool, but you'll want to make sure you're purchasing the exact part that matches your model.