Dishwasher detergents are highly alkaline — they eat away at nonstick coatings over time.
Result?
Flaking
Peeling
Food starts stickingGroceries
Your $80 pan becomes useless in months.
What to do:
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Wash by hand with a soft sponge.
Avoid metal utensils to preserve the surface.
Stovetop Stuffing Mix
6. Items with Adhesive Labels
Why not?
Stickers, price tags, and labels dissolve in hot water, leaving behind:
Sticky residue
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Gunk in your dishwasher filter
A mess on your dishes
Even if the label seems “stuck on,” the dishwasher will loosen it — and spread the goo everywhere.
What to do:
Peel off labels before washing.
Use a bit of oil or rubbing alcohol to remove leftover stickiness.
7. Insulated Travel Mugs & Thermoses
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Why not?
Double-walled mugs (like Hydro Flask, Yeti, or Thermos) rely on a vacuum seal to keep drinks hot or cold.
Dishwasher heat can:
Break the seal
Compromise insulation
Cause condensation inside the walls
Suddenly, your coffee goes cold in 20 minutes.
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What to do:
Hand wash with warm, soapy water.
Use a bottle brush for the inside.
Dry thoroughly before reassembling.
Bonus: Other Dishwasher No-Nos
Aluminum cookware
Can discolor or pit
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Gold- or silver-rimmed dishes
Metallic trim can tarnish or flake
Plastic containers (thin)
Can warp or melt
Sharp cheese graters
Can dull; debris gets trapped
Electric appliances (kettles, blenders)
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Water damages internal components
When in doubt — check the manufacturer’s label.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Way to Clean Is to Do It Yourself
We love the dishwasher.
We rely on it.
We even name it (looking at you, “Dishy”).
But just like any tool, it has limits.
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And when it comes to protecting your favorite kitchen tools — the ones that make cooking easier, safer, and more enjoyable — a little extra care goes a long way.Kitchen supplies
So next time you’re loading the dishwasher…
Pause.
Look.
Ask:
“Will this survive — or suffer?”
Because sometimes, the difference between a tool that lasts 10 years and one that dies in 10 washes…
Isn’t in the quality.
It’s in the sink.
