Here are 9 unusual things to wash in the dishwasher that you might not have thought of!
1. Kids’ & pet toys. Eliminate dirt and germs periodically with a nice wash in the dishwasher (You don’t have to wash them in the same load with your dishes!)
2. Vegetable brushes, scrub brushes, & baby bottle brushes. Eliminate the bacteria in your kitchen brushes by sanitizing them in the dishwasher.
3. Kitchen & cleaning sponges. Kill the germs on your sponges instead of spreading them around.
4. Tooth brush holders. Toothpaste and water can build up in the bottom of your tooth brush holders. Wash them in the dishwasher from time to time to keep them clean.
5. Refrigerator shelving. Most modern refrigerator shelving is designed to be dishwasher safe (older appliances may not be). You may need to remove the top rack of the dishwasher to fit larger shelves.
6. Cup holder inserts from your car. Many cars now have removable cup holders that are dishwasher safe. No need for sticky cupholders!
7. Glass globe covers for light fixtures (use normal or a light setting). The top rack of the dishwasher is safest for these. You can even wedge them into place with sponges or plastic cups to keep fixtures from possibly moving.
8. Trash can lids and trash cans. The bottom rack will fit a small to medium sized garbage can (some may require removal of the top rack).
9. Dog food & water bowl. Keep your canine’s dishes clean too!
About Ashley
Never thought of doing that #7 with the light globes. Those are always full of dust that never seem to get clean with just a wipe down.
Thanks for the tips,
Carly
I’m glad you found a useful tip! 🙂
I have a large collection of paper weights they all go into dishwasher too come out sparkling..
Thanks for the tip!
I also put my stovetop grates to get them clean and de-grease.
Ooh, great idea!
I found this very helpful and informative…thank you! A friend of mine washes her child’s potty chair in her dishwasher too. At first, I was like “YUCK!!!”. But it gets sanitized and cleaned nicely…why not? Thanks again and Happy New Year!
I wouldn’t have thought of that! That’s a great idea!
I would not wash the last two in the dish washer. If your water is not super hot as it might not be if you do not run the hot water for 2 minutes or if you do not have the hot water pre-heat, you are subjecting you dishes to bacteria. Hand wash in tub or outside. also, plastic gets scratched and unless you scrub in the cracks, you are missing germs even with washing.
I was thinking to only wash trash cans and lids by themselves but I realize I didn’t say that. Thank you for pointing that out! 🙂
We also put air filter and the HRV filters in the dishwasher as well its great
Some of these I have done, but I never thought to do either refrigeator shelves or trash can lids.
I’ve also washed baseball caps in there!
I’ve done several of those but never trash can lids. That is a good idea.
Great ideas! I just got my first-ever dishwasher a few months back and it’s a lifesaver!
Washing car cup holders in the dishwasher is genius! Ours are horrible!!
That’s so funny, I actually dishwashed our toothbrush holder yesterday!!! I love the idea of trash can lids, though! Great ideas!!
we wash legos. and right before i sanitize the dishwasher each month i run the bathroom trash cans thru too
Love this list. We’ve always put toys in the dishwasher and sponges too… but some of these other things I have not thought to put in.
Great list! I need to put some of these things through the dishwasher myself.
Awesome list! I definitley never thought of washing trash can lids in the dishwasher.. that is brilliant! I am going to do that! Thanks!
Some of these I would have never thought of!
Wow, I never knew. I do the bath toys once and awhile.
I know a lot of people who was toys in their dish washer
i always wash toys in the diswahser…love your tips..never thought of the trashcan lid..awesome…thanks for a great post and i will now have the cleanest lid on the street 🙂
i dont recall ever washing these items in my dishwasher but they would be a good idea to