If you're a fan of letting the take the strain off your evening chores, you might want to heed the advice of cleaning guru Lynsey Crombie.
Affectionately known as Lynsey Queen of Clean, she's issued a stark warning about the perils of throwing everything into this kitchen workhorse. Lynsey cautions that while without the elbow grease, they're not suitable for all your household items.
"While the dishwasher can be a time-saving cleaning tool, there are certain items that should never be placed inside. High heat and water pressure can cause damage, discolouration, or reduce the effectiveness of some materials," she cautioned.
She specifically pointed out that trainers and are a big no-no for the dishwasher cycle. Yes, believe it or not, some people do wash their trainers in the dishwasher.
And, according to Lynsey, there are good reasons not to do so. Regarding the drawbacks of using dishwashers, she said: "Trainers, for instance, may have their glue melt, while sharp knives will lose their edge."
Lynsey advises to keep your cherished belongings in top condition by knowing what to chuck in the dishwasher. And, more importantly, what requires a more gentle touch - and should be left out of your loads.
"To avoid damaging your favourite items, it's important to know what belongs in the dishwasher and what's better off cleaned by hand. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your kitchenware and household items last longer! ", reports .
She also highlighted that aren't fans of the dishwasher's intense environment, as they can "warp or crack under intense heat", so it's wiser to wash them by hand when possible. And for those with cast iron or crystal in their cupboards, beware these items can "can lose protective layers or chip" in the dishwasher.
But it's not all doom and gloom in the world of dishwashing, as Lynsey has shared some surprising items that can withstand a cycle in the machine for a sparkling finish.
- - Position them upside down to prevent water accumulation, ensuring a comprehensive clean.
- Caps - Placing them on the top shelf helps preserve their shape while gently cleaning them.
- Kids' Toys - Large plastic toys such as Lego bricks and dinosaurs can be easily cleaned on the top rack.
- Bath Toys - Keep those rubber ducks impeccably clean.
- Baby Bottles and Dummies - Sterilise them safely in your dishwasher.
- Dishcloths and Sponges - An excellent method to disinfect them for further use.
- - Brushes with plastic handles can be neatly arranged in the cutlery rack.
- Ceramic plates, bowls, and glassware can also be placed in the dishwasher, but it's important to "separate glass and mugs to prevent scratching
- Cutlery can also be accommodated in the dishwasher, with "knives facing downward for safety" - additionally, plastic children's dishes are dishwasher safe too
If you require an all-purpose spray for cleaning items out of the dishwasher, Lynsey suggests creating your own - and should consider making "your own citrus all-purpose cleaning spray". She elaborated: "This is so easy to make and smells wonderful."
"Use left-over lemon and orange peel, pop them in a jar of half water and half and let it sit for a few weeks, remove the peels, pop them into a spray bottle with a few drops of cinnamon essential oil for a lovely autumnal smell."
Lynsey Crombie, known as @lynsey_queenofclean, is the UK's leading home expert and television presenter. Her best-selling book can be purchased from Amazon.
