What you can usually wash safely your dishwasher.
And what you
Usually
Material
Safe
Exceptions
(not safe)
Special Instructions
Aluminum
YES
Some colored anodized
Some darkening or spotting possible. Remove by
aluminum can fade.
scouring with soap-filled steel wool pads.
China/
YES
Antique, metal-trimmed,
If in
doubt,
check with the manufacturer. Or test wash
Stoneware
hand-painted or over-the-glaze
one piece daily for at least month. Compare with the
patterns fade.
rest of the set.
Gold leaf will discolor.
Crystal
YES
Antique, metal-trimmed or
Load securely to prevent movement.
hand-painted patterns fade.
Check manufacturer’s instructions for
your crystal.
Gold leaf will discolor.
NO
Do not wash in dishwasher, Damage to dishwasher
items—such
and discoloration or staining of dishwasher may result.
as electronic
air cleaner
filters, furnace
filters, paint
brushes, etc.
Glass
YES
Milk Glass may yellow.
Iron
NO
Iron will rust.
Pewter
NO
Pewter tarnishes.
Plastics
YES
If it doesn’t say DISHWASHER SAFE, test one piece
before
an entire set. Wash in
rack
Stainless steel
YES
Rinse if not washing immediately. Salty or acid foods
can stain if left on.
Sterling Silver
YES
Don’t put in same silverware
Rinse if not washing immediately. Salty or acid foods
and Silver plate
basket with stainless steel.
can stain if left on. Dry detergent can cause difficult-
Contact between metals can
to-remove black spots. Place in back section of silverware
damage silver.
basket to avoid exposure to detergent from the detergent cup.
Don’t wash copper cookware in
the same load. Silver may get a
brown film.
Adhesive used to attach some
hollow-handle knives can loosen.
Non-stick
YES
After washing, wipe the non-stick coating area with
coatings
vegetable oil to keep it from losing its non-stick quality.
Tin
NO
Tin can rust.
Wood
NO
Wood can warp, crack or lose
its finish with any type washing.
a dish? Here’s when
you can add it.
dishes any time during a
RINSE HOLD cycle. With other
wash cycles, you can add dishes
at any time BEFORE the main
detergent wash portion of the
However, opening the door during
any
lessens cleaning power
because the temperature inside the
dishwasher is lowered. So try to
load everything at the beginning.
Here’s how to add a forgotten dish:
1. Push the door latch to the
Washing will stop.
2. Wait a few seconds until the
water calms. Then open the door.
3. Add dishes you’ve forgotten.
4. Close the door and push the
latch to the far right. When the
door is locked, washing
continue.
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