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Dishwashers

17 things you won't believe you can clean in your dishwasher

Never wash these things by hand again.

15 things you won't believe you can clean in your dishwasher Credit: Getty Images / ronstik

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If you haven't already heard, rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is an unnecessary chore. In fact, many modern dishwashers—including the Whirlpool WDT710PAHZ, Bosch SHPM88Z75N and Samsung DW80R9950UT—are equipped with soil sensors, which adjust cycle times and settings based on what is coming out of the drainpipe. But there's just so much that isn't dishwasher-safe, right?

Wrong. We've tracked down some pretty unusual items that you probably didn't know could withstand a wash and rinse cycle. Read on to find out some of our discoveries.

1. This wooden cutting board

Epicurean wood cutting board
Credit: Amazon

Composite wood boards are dishwasher safe

Not all wooden cutting boards are dishwasher-safe, but these composite wood boards from Epicurean are. They're available with a natural wood or slate color, and in sets from two to five pieces. Plus, Epicurean says they're made using sustainable forestry and manufacturing standards, which is great for everyone.

Get the Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board from Amazon for $43.50

2. The Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY food processor

Cuisinart food processor
Credit: Cuisinart

Many parts of the DFP-14BCNY are dishwasher safe.

Time saved by using a food processor would be wasted if you had to wash off all the parts by hand. Cuisinart's DFP-14BCNY uses dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup. Not only is it dishwasher-safe, it also proved itself to be the best food processor we’ve ever tested.

Get the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY Custom 14 Food Processor from Appliances Connection for $229.95

3. This box grater

Credit: Reviewed.com/Lindsay D. Mattison

Instead of slicing your hands and sponges, this grater can go into the dishwasher.

The Microplane Four Blade Four Sided Box Grater is dishwasher-safe. We found this out during our research and testing the best graters on the market. No more shredding your sponge—or your hand—cleaning up after Taco Tuesday.

Get the Microplane Four Blade Four Sided Box Grater from Bed, Bath & Beyond for $34.99

4. These BPA-free reusable sandwich bags

Lunchskins Reusable 2-Pack Bag Set
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

These sandwich bags can be spruced up by a dishwasher.

Sandwiches are great, but sandwich bags aren't. Lunchskins reusable bags are non-toxic, BPA-free, seal shut with Velcro, and—you guessed it—are dishwasher-safe. And there are three different designs to choose from. All together, they were a shoo-in for first place in our reusable sandwich bag roundup.

Get the Lunchskins Reusable 2 Piece Food Storage Bag Set on Amazon for $7.70

5. This non-stick electric griddle

Griddle with bacon and eggs cooking on counter
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jackson Ruckar

The cooking surface of many electric skillets can be placed in the dishwasher.

Non-stick electric griddles are great for everything from bacon to chicken to pancakes. And now, the cooking surfaces of many models—including our favorite, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle—are also dishwasher-safe. That means no dealing with messy cleanup of either the plates or the grease tray after cooking on this top-rated griddle.

Get the Hamilton Beach 3-in-One Grill/Griddle from HSN for $64.99

6. The interior of a slow cooker

stainless steel crock pot on wooden table
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker

Slow cookers already make dinner a breeze, but did you know the interior—usually some form of stoneware—is also dishwasher-safe? Once it cools off, just stick it in the dishwasher for a clean up that's as easy as the cooking. Our favorite model, for instance, the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker, has a dishwasher-safe removable cooking pot that makes for effortless cleanup.

Get the Cuisinart MSC-600 6 Quart Cook Central Multicooker at Appliances Connection for $159.95

7. George Foreman grill plates

George Foreman 4-serving grill
Credit: Amazon

George Foreman grill plates can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

A George Foreman grill is a pretty sweet alternative to standing outside in a snowstorm if you want grill marks on your chicken or burgers in December. But did you know those cooking plates are dishwasher-safe? Yep! Just detach them from the grill unit and stick them in the dishwasher for easy clean up. It's one of the main reasons why we named it our best value pick when testing the best indoor grills.

Get the George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill from Amazon for $34.92

8. These luxury chopsticks

Reusable luxury chopstick set
Credit: Wayfair

These fancy chopsticks can be cleaned in the dishwasher

Conventional American cutlery is usually dishwasher-safe, but now you can get some swanky chopsticks that can also be washed by machine. Made from natural lacquer and organic hardwood, these chopsticks are lightyears ahead of the cheap kind you get with your takeout.

Get the Organic Japanese Reusable Chopstick (Set of 5) from Wayfair for $9.95

9. These stainless steel straws

The FinalStraw
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Reusable drinking straws only work if you can wash them properly

We hate it when a plastic drink straw splits, making it unusable. Save on waste—and feel really classy—with a set of stainless steel drinking straws that will spruce up any float, smoothie, or cocktail.

Not only are they dishwasher-safe, but they also come with a cleaning brush for when you aren't ready to run a full load of dishes. Based on our lab tests of the best reusable straws, we think the FinalStraw will suit the most people the best.

Get the FinalStraw Collapsible Reusable Metal Straw from Amazon for $19.95

10. This Detachable high chair tray

Fisher-Price Total Clean High Chair
Credit: Reviewed / Sarah Kovac

A clean tray will help keep your kids safe.

Babies can make messes that would make even Jackson Pollock proud. Luckily, one of our favorite high chairs, the Graco Blossom, has trays that are dishwasher-safe, so it's one less worry for a busy parent. Not to mention, the seat pad is machine washable. Our testing of the best high chairs showed that this high chair is easy to adjust, well-built, as well as easy to clean.

Get the Graco Blossom 6 in 1 Convertible High Chair from Amazon for $123.99

11. This all-in-one place mat

Silicone placemat and plate
Credit: Amazon

Sanitize these placemats in the dishwasher.

These adorable placemat/plate combos—available in blue, green, and pink, among other colors—can suction right onto that high chair tray for a mess-free (well, who are we kidding—less messy) lunchtime with the little one, and popped into the dishwasher after each meal. Plus, they're all BPA-free and FDA-approved.

Get the ezpz Mini Mat from ezpz for $19.99

12. Teething rings

Ike & Leo teething toys
Credit: Amazon

Keep your child’s teething rings from getting gross by Sanitizing them in the dishwasher.

You've got meal time covered—now let's deal with teething time. Ike and Leo sells a BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free set of teething rings that are also dishwasher-safe.

Get the Ike and Leo Teether toys from Ike and Leo for $11.99

13. This Vicks Humidifier

Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

It can be tricky to clean a humidifier without a dishwasher

Humidifiers make dealing with allergies and dry air so much easier, but they're a pain in the neck to clean. You can never quite get all the water out, and good luck fitting your hand inside with a sponge. Unfortunately, the tank still can't go in the dishwasher, but the filter, medicine cup, and chimney can. Plus, this V745A model by Vicks, the winner in our roundup of the best humidifiers, comes with a three-year warranty.

Get the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier from Amazon for $34.90

14. These self-laminating stick-on labels

Self-laminating labels
Credit: Amazon

Labels that can survive a dishwasher cycle are super useful.

You might be asking yourself "Why would I care if a label is dishwasher-safe?" Well, how many times have you wondered which water bottle was yours, or if your kid couldn't find his juice cup at daycare?

If you said "never" then you're probably more organized than most people... or don't have kids. These labels are great for easily labeling something that would normally go in the dishwasher.

Get the Avery Kids Hand Written Identification Labels from Staples for $3.99

15. Waterproof glue

Waterproof glue and sealer
Credit: Amazon

Waterproof glue can help save the day.

If you've glued the handle back onto your favorite dishwasher-safe mug, normally it would be banished to the sink for a gentler hand wash. If you glue it with Mod Podge, though, that might not be true: Mod Podge is a water-based sealing glue that can hold up to dishwashing. Head's up, though: they recommend 28 days of curing time.

Get Mod Podge Craft Glue from Target for $4.99

16. Picture frame glass

It's what is inside the frame that matters.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

Keep your pictures looking crisp by cleaning the glass.

Picture frames hold and display some of our most precious memories. But did you know can keep your photos looking great by removing the glass and placing it in the dishwasher? It's a quick and easy way to remove smudges or fingerprints if you're out of Windex.

17. Hubcaps

Hubcaps can be placed in the dishwasher to make them shine.
Credit: Getty Images / seewhatmitchsee

If the hubcaps for your classic ride are looking a bit greasy, a trip through the dishwasher can make them look fresh again. Just think, your greasy metal pans go through the dishwasher, so why not your hubcaps? At first you might think that they won’t fit, but even an 18-inch cap will fit into an empty bottom rack.

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