Items to Manually Wash in the Kitchen for Optimal Cleanliness
Attention, Foodie Friends! 🍽️
Want to keep your kitchen gear in tip-top shape? Here's a list of items you should hand-wash instead of tossing them in the dishwasher. This super-practical guide will help you maintain the longevity and beauty of your kitchen items and save you some hefty bucks.
- Dana Chee, also known as "Dr. Laundry," is Clorox's resident scientist and cleaning guru.
- Melissa Garcia, a professional chef, cooking instructor, and best-selling author.
- James Hwang, the founder and CEO of an eco-friendly home care brand.
Sensitive Cookware 🥄
Dana highlights that some cookware materials might not withstand dishwasher conditions. These include:
- Aluminum, copper, cast iron, carbon steel, and pans with non-stick coatings. They can react negatively to the dishwasher's heat and detergents. To avoid damaging these, always opt for hand-washing. Need to check the material of your cookware? Look for the sights on the bottom of your pots or pans or search the product online.
Plastics and Containers 🍽️
Melissa recommends hand-washing plastic items, especially lids for glass food containers, to ensure they stay in good condition. High heat from the dishwasher can warp these items, especially thin plastic items. If you must use the dishwasher due to stubborn stains, place plastic items on the top rack.
Insulated Cups and Containers ☕️
Hand-washing insulated cups and containers is better for preserving their insulating properties. If they require a deep clean, place them in the dishwasher. Just remember that a little TLC goes a long way!
Wooden Utensils and Items 🍴
To keep wooden items looking fresh, avoid putting them in the dishwasher. Exposure to heat and water can cause warping and drying out. Every once in a while, apply a food-grade wood seal to help maintain their appearance.
How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
Kitchen Appliances 🍛
Rice cookers and Crockpots should be hand washed, according to Dana. Some appliances have removable inserts that are dishwasher-safe, so make sure to check the usage instructions.
Marble
- For a cleaner and longer-lasting home, especially when it comes to kitchen cleaning, it's crucial to hand-wash certain items like wooden utensils and items to keep them from warping and drying out, as suggested by Dana Chee, also known as "Dr. Laundry."
- In the realm of kitchen appliances, realsimple advice from Dana includes hand-washing rice cookers and Crockpots, with the exception of removable inserts that might be dishwasher-safe, to maintain their functionality and longevity.
- Melissa Garcia, a renowned professional chef, cooking instructor, and best-selling author, urges food enthusiasts to hand-wash plastic items, specifically lids for glass food containers, to ensure they remain durable and in good condition, as high heat from the dishwasher can cause warping, especially for thin plastic items.
- Gagliardi's nutrition journey might not be directly related to kitchen cleaning, but maintaining a clean kitchen can contribute to overall good nutrition. By keeping our kitchen gear in tip-top shape, such as our dishwasher, we ensure that our appliances are ready to help us prepare delicious, nutritious meals at home.
