From plastic blocks to bath toys, it’s a good idea to sanitize your kids’ playthings regularly. “Think about all the places your kid’s toys have been: in their mouth, on the floor, in the garden,” said Joanne Archer, an editor at Expert Home Tips. “As long as they don’t have any electrical components or places where water might get stuck, pop those plastic toys in the dishwasher.”
2. Toothbrushes, holders and soap dishes (ROB SAYS: Just get a new toothbrush)
Toothbrushes accumulate bacteria, while other bathroom accessories such as toothbrush holders and soap dishes can end up riddled with soap scum and mold. “Luckily, they’re typically made of plastic, porcelain or ceramic, so it’s safe to blast the grime away in the dishwasher,” Archer said.
3. Nail clippers and tools (ROB SAYS: Just wash these with soap and water in the sink)
Dead skin cells build up on your nail clippers, files and other manicure and pedicure tools, making your personal grooming kit less than sanitary. Archer suggested putting your tools in the cutlery basket, and they’ll be good as new.
4. Dog bowls, toys, leashes and collars (ROB SAYS: put the leashes and collars in the Washing Machine)
If you have dogs (or any other pets, for that matter), you should be cleaning their bowls regularly. Washing the bowl thoroughly in the dishwasher will remove any nasty bacteria like E. coli, MRSA, listeria and salmonella ― even mold and yeast.”
In addition to their bowls, you can also clean your pet’s rubber and plastic toys, as well as nonleather leashes and collars in the dishwasher.
5. Pacifiers and teething rings
You want to keep your little ones healthy, which means sanitizing their pacifiers, teethers and anything else that goes in their mouths regularly. “Bacteria die in high temperatures, but neither can the tap provide such heat, nor will your hands be able to withstand it,” Fink said.
6. Keys (ROB SAYS: Just wash them down with hand sanitzer)
Just think about all the grime and germs your keys probably collect throughout the day ― not to mention how often you touch them. The dishwasher is great for sanitizing keys (plain metal ones, not electronic key fobs), according to Fink. “Don’t be afraid of rust since most keys are made of brass, which means that they will not suffer any corrosion,” he said.
7. Humidifier parts
Humidifiers need regular maintenance and cleaning to remove the scale and mold that builds up inside the water tank and around the components, “The conventional way is to soak these components and water tanks in white vinegar or hot water before scrubbing them away. It is time-consuming, takes a lot of effort and just inefficient in general.
Fortunately, some humidifier manufacturers have made their parts and water tank dishwasher-safe to save time and energy cleaning them. Run these parts through a routine wash to rid them of any mold or gunk that has built up. “The hot cycle would also neutralize any bacteria or viruses that may be lurking inside the humidifier,” Lee said. Just keep in mind that not all humidifiers are dishwasher safe, so read the user manual first.
8. Baseball caps (ROB SAYS: put these in the washing machine)
Place them in the top rack by themselves without any other dishes and hook the back strap to one of the pegs. You should use only a tiny amount of dish detergent or non-bleach cleaner such as Borax. Depending on the soil level, you can do a normal to heavy wash. “Let them air-dry and you have a fresh, new looking (and smelling) hat,” Jones said.
9. Fridge shelves and bins
The shelves and bins in your fridge can easily come out and the dishwasher can give them a deep clean. The glass shelves, plastic bins on the door and vegetable crispers can usually all fit into the dishwasher in one load, though you may need to remove the top rack to make room.
10. Small Trash cans (ROB SAYS: put them in the sink, put in bleach, hot water, and let them soak outside for a while).
Over time, trash cans collect germs, grime and an unpleasant smell that’s difficult to get rid of. Thankfully, the dishwasher can help.
11. Silicone oven mitts (ROB SAYS: Put them in the Washing Machine)
Oven mitts get a lot of use in the kitchen, which means they collect all types of filth and leftover food. Barrett said the dishwasher is great for getting silicone oven mitts sparkling clean again: “All you have to do is leave them on the top rack and let the magic happen.”
12. Showerheads
There are few things as frustrating as trying to clean clogged shower heads. Rather than wasting your time, Barrett suggested unscrewing the shower head and placing it on the top rack of your dishwasher, then running a regular cycle that you would normally use to wash your pots and pans. “There’s no problem to mix showerheads with other dishes as well,” she noted.
13. Shoes (ROB SAYS: Ewwwww. NO WAY. Think about all the things you may have stepped on anywhere. I wouldn't want that residue in my dishwasher!! - Wash them outside with a hose, or in the sink)
Shoes in the dishwasher? As long as they’re the only item being cleaned, the dishwasher is a great method for killing the dirt and bacteria lurking in rubber boots, Crocs and flip flops. “Simply place them on the upper shelf facing downwards to ensure that they remain protected and the water is safely removed from them during the washing,” Barrett said.
14. Hair brushes and accessories (ROB SAYS: I think strands of hair would clog up the drainage in a dishwasher)
Considering that combs and brushes regularly touch our heads, Fink said it’s a good idea to put them through the most effective cleaning method: a dishwasher cycle. Strip as much hair from the brush as possible, then place it in the silverware holder. If it’s made of plastic, you can place it in top rack to be safe. Don’t put anything with a wood handle in the dishwasher, however, as the hot water will damage it. You can clean other hair accessories such as barrettes, headbands and hair ties in the dishwasher as well, as long as they’re made of dishwasher-safe materials. Keep them secure in the utensil holder or another container.
15. Microwave turntables
Between bubbling leftovers and the occasional spill, your microwave can get pretty grimy. But at least you don’t need to spend time washing its glass turntable by hand. “Normally, these glass plates are durable enough to be put on the bottom rack of the dishwasher,” Fink said. Go ahead and clean the turntable along with a regular load of dishes
.
16. Home decor
Plenty of decor items in your home, such as vases and desk accessories, can go into the dishwasher too. “They gather dust easily, and a regular cycle can give them a good cleaning by removing the dust and any sticky grime,” said David Cusick, chief strategy officer for House Method. Again, stick to plain plastic, glass and metal, and avoid anything that’s delicate or could be harmed by the high heat and harsh detergents.
17. Fans
Your fans recycle the air around you, collecting dirt and bacteria. You can place any removable, plastic parts of your fans in the dishwasher, according to Owen Mosser, a home repair expert and editor at The Golden. Just be sure not to put any electrical items in the dishwasher, as they will get damaged.
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