WASHING SPECIAL
ITEMS
If you have doubts about washing a particular item, check with
the manufacturer
to see if it is dishwasher safe.
Material
Dishwasher Safe?/Comments
Aluminum
Yes
High water temperature and detergents
can affect finish of anodized aluminum.
Disposable
No
Aluminum
Do not wash throwaway aluminum pans
in the dishwasher. These might shift
during washing and transfer black marks
to dishes and other items.
Bottles and Cans
No
Wash bottles and cans by hand. Labels
attached with glue can loosen and clog
the spray arms or pump and reduce
washing performance.
Cast Iron
No
Seasoning will be removed and iron will
rust.
China/
Yes
Stoneware
Always check manufacturer's
recommendations
before washing.
Antique, hand-painted,
or ever-the-glaze
patterns may fade. Gold leaf can discolor
or fade.
Crystal
Yes
Check manufacturer's
recommendations
before washing. Some types of leaded
crystal can etch with repeated washing.
Gold
No
Gold-colored
flatware will discolor.
Glass
Yes
Milk glass yellows with repeated
dishwasher washing.
Hollow-Handle
No
Knives
Handles of some knives are attached to
the blade with adhesives which can
loosen if washed in the dishwasher.
Pewter, Brass,
No
Bronze
High water temperatures
and detergent
can discolor or pit the finish.
Disposable
No
Plastics
Cannot withstand high water
temperatures
and detergents.
Material
Dishwasher Safe?/Comments
Plastics
Yes
Always check manufacturer's
recommendations
before washing.
Plastics vary in their capacity to withstand
high temperatures
and detergents.
Load
plastics in top rack only.
Stainless Steel
Yes
Run a rinse cycle if not washing
immediately. Prolonged contact with food
containing
salt, vinegar, milk products, or
fruit juice can damage finish.
Sterling Silver or
Yes
Silver Plate
Run a rinse cycle if not washing
immediately. Prolonged contact with food
containing salt, acid, or sulfide (eggs,
mayonnaise, and seafood) can damage
finish.
Tin
No
Can rust.
Wooden Ware
No
Wash by hand. Always check
manufacturer's
instructions
before
washing. Untreated wood can warp,
crack, or lose its finish.
DISHWASHER CARE
Cleaning
the exterior
In most cases, regular use of a soft, damp cloth or sponge and a
mild detergent is all that is necessary to keep the outside of your
dishwasher
looking nice and clean.
Cleaning
the interior
Hard water minerals can cause a white film to build up on the
inside surfaces, especially just beneath the door area.
Do not clean the dishwasher interior until it has cooled. Wear
rubber gloves. Do not use any type of cleanser other than
dishwasher
detergent because it may cause foaming or sudsing.
To clean interior
Make a paste with powdered dishwasher detergent on a damp
sponge and clean.
OR
Use liquid automatic dishwasher
detergent and clean with a
damp sponge.
OR
See the vinegar rinse procedure in "Spotting and filming on
dishes" in "Troubleshooting."
NOTE: Run a normal cycle with detergent after cleaning the
interior.
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