Top 11+ things you definitely shouldn’t put in the dishwasher but likely do

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

The dishwasher might just be one of the finest inventions of the modern kitchen - just think of all the time it saves you slaving over a hot washing-up bowl, trying to get your plates and cups sparkling. From baked-on grease to stubborn food stains on your crockery there's very little it can't handle. That said, there are still some things you should avoid putting in your dishwasher because, not only could they be damaged by the high temperatures and moisture of the device, but there's also a risk in some case you could damage the machine itself. Read on to find which pots, pans and other items should stay out of the dishwasher and be handwashed instead... (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Wooden spoons and utensils

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Got a nice set of wooden spoons or salad servers? You won't be wanting to put them in the dishwasher because the heat and moisture of the cycle could cause them to warp or even snap. Wash anything wooden by hand instead - and the same goes for other wood items you may have in your kitchen such as chopping boards, or any items with a wooden handle such as knives (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Non-stick cookware

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Aren't non-stick pans wonderful? These little kitchen staples can help you whip up food with the minimum of mess or fuss. But when it comes to cleaning them, keep them away from the dishwasher. That's because the high heat levels and harsh detergents used in them could potentially remove the non-stick coating, meaning your scrambled eggs will forever be at risk of becoming soldered to the pan. Give the dishwasher a wide berth and wash these ones by hand (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Fine china

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Having the relatives round for tea and want to get the best cups out? Enjoy. But once you're done, don't even think about stacking them in the dishwasher. Fine china tends to be too fragile to withstand the high pressure jets of water, which could not only chip or break those items but potentially cause them to smash into other items and damage them too. Worse, antique or vintage tableware, or anything with a gold rim, could be discoloured in the dishwasher, and the gold could lose its sparkle (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Crystal glassware

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

While it's generally OK to stick your regular wine glasses in the dishwasher, crystal and hand-blown glass is extra-sensitive to heat - meaning if you use this method to clean it you could well end up with nothing but a broken or cracked glass. Which, in turn, could damage your machine if any shards or pieces of glass get stuck inside it. Hand wash these items carefully instead (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Plates covered with food

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Using your dishwasher to get those stubborn food stains out of your plates and dishes is one thing. But if you don't scrape the leftovers off those plates before you stack them you could be a whole heap of trouble. Unless your dishwasher comes with a hard food disposer, which can break down food particles, any stray food could potentially block your filter or even get circulated around the machine while it's mid-cycle (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Copper cookware

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Your copper pots and pans might come in useful when making jams or whipping up egg whites, and there's no denying they look fabulous in your kitchen. But if you want them to stay that way we suggest you don't stick them in the dishwasher when you're done using them. This is because the dish detergent won't do the metal any favours, and could lead to them losing their shine and looking dull. For best results, wash by hand - and use a copper polish to boost them occasionally (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

7. Travel mugs

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Love your insulated travel mug? Want to keep it as pristine as possible? Good. Then don't put it in the dishwasher. Whirlpool points out that the water and heat from the machine could damage the seal and insulation of your mug. This, in turn, could not only damage the mug's effectiveness but any water that seeps between the inner and outer layers could even form mould (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Kitchen knives

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

This one should be obvious - but when you're done chopping and dicing all those ingredients for your latest culinary creation, sticking the fancy kitchen knives you've been using in the dishwasher isn't a good idea. Good Housekeeping points out that not only could the blades damage the inside of the dishwasher if they rattle around inside it, but the pressure of the water and detergent could cause knives made from carbon steel to rust and corrode. And, as mentioned, if your knives have wooden handles you should definitely steer clear as they'd be at risk of warping or splitting. This doesn't rule out all knives being unsuitable though. Ceramic knives and cutlery are generally dishwasher-safe. But Finish.co.uk recommends you should always place them upside down in the machine to avoid accidents when unloading (Picture: Getty Images)

9. Cheese graters

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

If, like many among us, you love a mac and cheese or can't comprehend the idea of pasta without a sprinkle of parmesan, then you'll have one of these tucked away in a kitchen drawer. When you're done using it? Don't put it in the dishwasher, whatever you do. The reasons here is much the same as kitchen knives - the high pressure water and detergent could well damage the blades, while in turn they could damage your dishwasher. Stick to handwashing in hot soapy water and clean it as soon as possible to prevent residue from sticking to the blades (Picture: Getty Images)

10. Cast iron pots and pans

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Another no-no here, given the process of seasoning the pan could well be compromised if you stick it in the dishwasher after use. Seasoning involves building up a protective layer of oil on the pan to make it non-stick and prevent it from rusting. But if you dishwasher it afterwards this layer could be stripped away, leaving the pan open to rust and damage (Picture: Getty Images)

11. Labelled jars

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

Don't put jars in the dishwasher unless you've removed the label first. Good Housekeeping points out that any sticky labels, or the adhesive remnants of them, run the risk of becoming stuck in the dishwasher filter, which could lead to the machine becoming damaged. And those things are expensive to repair. So proceed with caution (Picture: Getty Images)

What is safe to put in the dishwasher?

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

By this point you may be wondering if anything is actually dishwasher safe. The good news is that of course there are plenty of kitchen and household items which are fine to clean in the dishwasher. The following kitchen equipment and items should generally be fine:

• Everyday dinner plates and bowls
• Ceramic dishware
• Stainless steel pots, pans and utensils
• Cutlery, including dinner knives
• Everyday glassware such as drinking glasses and sturdy wine glasses
• Glass and stoneware baking dishes

(Picture: Getty Images)

1. Wooden spoons and utensils, 2. Non-stick cookware, 3. Fine china, 4. Crystal glassware, 5. Plates covered with food, 6. Copper cookware, 7. Travel mugs, 8. Kitchen knives, 9. Cheese graters, 10. Cast iron pots and pans, 11. Labelled jars

• Silicone utensils such as spoons and spatulas
• Glass spice jars
• Microwave turntables
• Kitchen sponges and reusable cloths
• Plastic items if marked 'dishwasher safe' - otherwise avoid as these could melt or warp

In addition it may also be safe to put certain non-kitchen items in the dishwasher. Which? reports that make-up brushes, plastic hairbrushes and combs, plastic baby toys, bottles and dummies, vacuum cleaner attachments, refrigerator drawers, toothbrush holders, shower caddies and soap dishes are all safe for dishwasher use. However use a low temperature setting for these items, make sure that excess hair is removed from brushes and combs before washing them, and avoid anything with wooden handles (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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