You might have heard that new dishwashers clean, disinfect, and sanitize dishes more effectively than hand washing, but did you know that you can efficiently clean other household items in your dishwasher too? The dishwasher experts at your local appliance store created this list of ten items you can clean in your dishwasher, so you’ll have more time to enjoy life.
1. Kitchen Sponges, Dish Brushes, and Bottle Brushes
That grimy kitchen sponge you’re using to clean your counters and hand wash your dishes is one reason hand-washed dishes tend to harbor bacteria and germs.
To disinfect kitchen sponges, dish brushes, and bottle brushes, place them on your dishwasher’s third rack or top rack every time you run it. The high-water temperature and sanitizing cycle will kill the nasty bacteria lurking within those sponges and brushes.
2. Refrigerator Drawers and Shelves
Don’t waste your time scrubbing refrigerator shelves and drawers: Instead, arrange them in your dishwasher and trust technology to clean them. Newer Frigidaire dishwashers use advanced features like Frigidaire’s DishSense® Sensor Technology and OrbitClean® to clean dishes and large items based on soil level.
3. HVAC Vent Grates
You (hopefully) change your HVAC filters every few months, but when was the last time you washed and cleaned the vent grate? If you’ve never actually cleaned the grate, run it through your dishwasher to remove years of dust and debris.
4. Fixtures, Globes, and Shades
Wash glass globes and shades in your dishwasher to remove accumulated dust and grease, so your light fixtures will sparkle again. Place thin glass globes and shades on your dishwasher’s top rack to reduce the possibility of cracking.
5. Kids’ Hard Plastic Toys
Kids tend to transfer dirt, slime, and sticky residue onto every surface they touch, but you can keep their toys clean by washing hard plastic items (even that 768-piece LEGO® set) in your dishwasher. Secure toys*—especially toys with small pieces—in a mesh bag or dishwasher basket on your dishwasher’s top rack or third rack.
*Don’t put toys with batteries, electronics, or stickers in the dishwasher.
6. Bath Toys
Your dishwasher will restore slimy, mildewed bath toys and make them squeaky clean again. As with most plastic or rubber items, place bath toys on your dishwasher’s top or third rack to avoid potential damage. Use a mesh bag or dishwasher basket to secure toys with small parts.
7. Flip-Flops and Outdoor Sandals (Like Keens, Tevas, and Chacos)
Well-loved hiking/water sandals tend to emit horrifying odors in the middle of summer, but your dishwasher can solve this problem by killing any stink-producing bacteria that are hiding within those woven straps. Place flip flops or hiking sandals on your dishwasher’s top or third rack, and secure straps or buckles so they won’t interfere with the dishwasher’s spray arms.
*Use a non-bleach dishwasher detergent when washing sandals with cloth straps.
8. Woven Pet Collars and Leashes
Place your pet’s collar and leash in a mesh bag on your dishwasher’s top or third rack to sanitize them and remove odors. Remove any electronic components before placing them in the dishwasher, and use a non-bleach dishwasher detergent.
9. Small Trash Cans, Recycling Bins, and Compost Containers
If you don’t want to scrub out a dirty compost container, recycling bin, or small trash can by hand, try cleaning and sanitizing it in your dishwasher instead. However, the high heat might warp or damage the plastic if your plastic bins only fit on the bottom rack due to height constraints.
10. Terra Cotta, Ceramic, and Plastic Planting Containers
Planting pots hold more than just potting soil—they tend to accumulate debris, fungi, and disease-spreading organisms that can harm your plants. Before you reuse an old pot for a new plant, run the pot through your dishwasher to disinfect it, and you’ll increase your chances of growing a healthy plant in that pot.
If you’re ready to upgrade to a more efficient dishwasher with advanced sanitizing options, stop into your local appliance store to check out the latest dishwasher technology. Garner Appliance & Mattress has three convenient Triangle locations, and one of our dishwasher experts will show you around and answer all your dishwasher-related questions. Stop by and look around in our Garner, Raleigh, or Clayton store today!