20 Mar 2025 15 Surprising Things You Can Clean in a Dishwasher, According to Cleaning Professionals
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The key to keeping a clean and tidy house is to find an arsenal of go-to hacks along the way that allow you to clean smarter, not harder, and while you might think you’re already taking advantage of everything your dishwasher can do for you.
“I have found that dishwashers (click for instant delivery) can serve multiple functions beyond cleaning dishes,” explains Daniel Brown, a seasoned cleaning expert and owner of Handy Cleaners. “All one has to do is secure them to prevent damage and place them in the dishwasher during a normal cycle.”
The following items are all cleaning expert-approved and recommended to be thrown into the dishwasher for a quicker (and often better) cleaning. Read on if you want to simplify your cleaning routine one step further:
Vacuum attachments
The vacuum brush attachments collect disgusting amounts of dust, hair, and skin cells that never come out with regular rinses but Evie Graham, professional cleaner and founder of Waste Direct, says that the dishwasher’s hot water and detergent combination breaks down the oily residue that makes dust stick. “Just remove any rubber seals first and place attachments securely in the bottom rack,” she says. “I started doing this for a client whose vacuum smelled musty despite looking clean (the amount of grime that came off in the dishwasher was revolting)!”
Plastic toys and LEGO
“Kids’ plastic LEGO bricks clean up amazingly in dishwashers (click for instant delivery). I’ve got a client with three small children whose LEGO collection was absolutely manky with sticky fingerprints and mysterious substances,” she explains. “We put the bricks in mesh laundry bags on the top rack, and they came out looking brand new. The hot water sanitizes everything without warping the plastic if you avoid the heated dry cycle”
Microwave plates
According to Joseph Passalacqua, the owner and CEO of Maid Sailors, food-splattered microwave plates shine like new when placed securely on the top rack.