Your dishwasher can clean far more than just your dirty dishes and silverware. The dishwasher is nothing short of a miracle. Not only is hand-washing dishes a chore that most of us could live without, but the dishwasher saves time and is far more water-efficient. What if you could apply those same time- and water-saving cleaning principles to things that weren’t dishes? Even though “dish” is in its name, the dishwasher can be used to clean a whole lot more than dishes. From sponges to baseball caps, there are many household items that you can toss into the dishwasher—either alongside your plates and mugs or on their own—that will come out looking practically as good as new.
I’ve been amazed at how much time my dishwasher has saved me over the years, and I’m not just talking about plates and forks. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, modern dishwashers use about 3-5 gallons of water per cycle, compared to 10-15 gallons for hand-washing a full load. That efficiency makes it a no-brainer for tackling other grimy household items. Plus, the high heat in most dishwashers (around 130-150°F) sanitizes better than I ever could with a sponge and elbow grease. Just be sure to check manufacturer guidelines for any item you’re unsure about to avoid mishaps.
Toothbrush Holders
Toothpaste runoff builds up on toothbrush holders over time, but running them through the dishwasher can get them squeaky clean. “Take them apart if you can,” says Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo. “Then simply pop them in the top rack upside down and run a normal cycle.”
I’ve found that toothbrush holders can get surprisingly gross, with toothpaste gunk hardening in those tiny crevices. Running them through the dishwasher not only saves me from scrubbing but also ensures they’re sanitized. A quick tip: if your holder has multiple parts, like a base and a lid, separate them to let the water jets hit every angle. The high heat in the dishwasher kills off bacteria like Streptococcus, which can linger in bathroom environments, according to studies from the American Dental Association. Just double-check that your holder isn’t made of delicate materials like ceramic that might not hold up.
Sponges
If you commonly use sponges to clean your home or your dishes, chances are they are in need of a deep cleaning as well. Fortunately, sponges hold up well on the top rack of the dishwasher, and you can just toss them in with the rest of your dishes.
Sponges are like little germ magnets, and I’ve always cringed at how quickly they start to smell. A study from the USDA found that kitchen sponges can harbor up to 10 million bacteria per square inch, so giving them a regular dishwasher spin is a game-changer. I toss mine in a mesh bag to keep them from flopping around, and I’ve noticed they last longer this way. Pro tip: run them through a hot cycle every few days, and replace them every couple of weeks to keep things fresh.
Vases
The majority of decorative vases are dishwasher safe, which is particularly helpful if you have narrow vases that are difficult to clean by hand. While you should still hand wash any particularly valuable or delicate pieces, you can use the top rack for most vases.
I’ve struggled with narrow vases that my hand just can’t reach, and the dishwasher has been a lifesaver for getting those stubborn flower residue stains out. The water jets hit spots I’d never get with a bottle brush. For glass or ceramic vases, I stick to the top rack to avoid excessive heat exposure. If you’re worried about delicate finishes, use a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. This method saves me time and ensures my vases are ready for the next bouquet without any lingering pollen or mold.
Light Fixtures
Light fixtures need cleaning from time to time, and the dishwasher does a fantastic job. “When you can remove glass covers from the fixture, they come out sparkling in the dishwasher,” says McAllister. “If you can wear gloves when you put them back on, it will help keep fingerprints to a minimum.”
I was skeptical about cleaning light fixtures in the dishwasher at first, but it’s now my go-to for glass covers caked with dust and bugs. The dishwasher’s high-pressure jets blast away grime that would take me ages to scrub off. Just make sure the glass is tempered or marked dishwasher-safe, as some thin glass can crack under heat. I’ve also found that running a vinegar rinse cycle beforehand helps dissolve any greasy buildup, leaving them crystal clear.
Soap Dishes
“Items like soap dishes get grimy with soap scum and biofilm,” Berry says. “I put them on the top rack of the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning that saves me from having to stand there scrubbing them. Make sure they’re not hand-painted, though. I ruined a lovely set that wasn’t properly marked.”
Soap dishes are one of those things I used to dread cleaning because of that slimy film that builds up. The dishwasher makes it effortless, and I’ve noticed my dishes stay cleaner longer when I run them through weekly. Biofilm, which is a mix of bacteria and soap residue, can be tough to remove by hand, but the dishwasher’s heat (often exceeding 140°F) breaks it down easily. If you’ve got a ceramic or plastic soap dish, try placing it upside down on the top rack for the best results.
Vacuum Attachments
Believe it or not, many types of vacuum attachments are dishwasher safe, and chances are they are in desperate need of a cleaning. Stand smaller attachments up on the top rack and place larger ones on the bottom. (Just check with your owner’s manual first to ensure they don’t advise against this method.)
I never realized how much dust and pet hair gets trapped in vacuum attachments until I started cleaning them in the dishwasher. It’s like giving your vacuum a fresh start! I check my manual to confirm which parts are safe, and I’ve found that plastic attachments hold up great. The dishwasher’s high heat also helps kill dust mites, which can accumulate in attachments, according to allergen studies. Just shake off loose debris before loading to avoid clogging the filter.
Plastic Hairbrushes
Hair brushes and combs can get pretty gross, but fortunately, plastic ones can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Place them in the utensil basket and run a normal cycle. Remember that any natural materials, like boar bristles or wooden handles, are not dishwasher safe.
My plastic hairbrushes used to be a nightmare to clean, with hair and product buildup stuck in the bristles. The dishwasher makes it so easy—just pop them in the utensil basket, and they come out looking brand new. I’ve found that soaking them in warm water first loosens up any gunk, making the dishwasher’s job even easier. Just be careful with combs that have rubber grips, as they can sometimes loosen in the heat, so I stick to a gentle cycle for those.
Dust Pan and Dust Broom
Dust pans and brooms get exceptionally dirty, but instead of letting dirt and grime build up, you can throw these items in the dishwasher. Be sure to remove excess dust and hair before running the cycle.
I used to scrub my dustpan by hand, but it never felt truly clean until I tried the dishwasher. The jets get into all the corners, and the high heat sanitizes everything. I’ve noticed that my dustpan stays grime-free longer when I run it through every couple of weeks. A quick tip: tap off as much debris as possible before loading to keep your dishwasher’s filter happy. This trick has saved me so much time!
Metal or Plastic Floor Registers
Floor registers definitely need a good cleaning from time to time, and the dishwasher makes it easy. “Just load them in the dishwasher and run a normal cycle and they will come out looking brand new,” says McAllister.
Floor registers collect dust and pet hair like nobody’s business, and I’ve found the dishwasher is a total game-changer for keeping them spotless. The high-pressure water blasts away grime that would take forever to scrub out. I’ve also noticed better air quality at home since I started cleaning them regularly—dust buildup in registers can circulate allergens, according to HVAC experts. Just make sure they’re metal or sturdy plastic, and place larger ones on the bottom rack for stability.
Silicone Baking Mats
“These mats can be so difficult to clean by hand, especially when they’ve been used for sticky or greasy foods,” Berry explains. “Draping them over a row of prongs on the top rack of the dishwasher gets them squeaky clean. They come out looking good as new, saving both time and elbow grease.”
I love my silicone baking mats, but cleaning off baked-on grease used to be such a chore. The dishwasher makes them look pristine without any scrubbing. I drape mine over the top rack prongs, and the hot water takes care of the rest. Silicone is heat-resistant up to 450°F, so it handles dishwasher cycles with no problem. I’ve also found that running a rinse cycle with vinegar first helps cut through any stubborn oil residue, making my mats last longer.
Flower Pots
Seasoned gardeners know how important it is to clean flower pots before planting in them to prevent new plants from picking up any plant diseases. Remove any old soil, and then run your planters and flower pots through the dishwasher to get them nice and clean before planting or repotting your plants.
As someone who loves gardening, I can’t stress enough how much easier the dishwasher makes prepping flower pots. Old soil can harbor fungi like Phytophthora, which can devastate new plants, according to gardening research. The dishwasher’s heat sanitizes pots better than hand-washing ever could. I always shake out loose dirt first and place smaller pots in a mesh bag to keep them secure. This trick saves me time and gives my plants a healthier start.
Pacifiers and Teething Rings
Anything babies chew on will need to be cleaned frequently, and the dishwasher can be a lifesaver for parents when it comes to pacifiers and teething rings. Place dishwasher-safe items in the covered portion of the utensil holder to give them a comprehensive cleaning.
As a parent, I’ve found the dishwasher to be a sanity-saver for cleaning pacifiers and teething rings. The high heat kills off germs like E. coli, which can linger on baby items, according to pediatric health studies. I pop them in a mesh bag in the utensil holder to keep them from bouncing around. A quick tip: check for any wear or cracks before running them through, as damaged items might not hold up. This method has saved me from boiling water on the stove every day!
Baseball Caps
“Baseball caps clean up nicely in the dishwasher,” McAllister says. “You can get cap frames on Amazon which you can put your hat into to protect its shape, but you can also pop it in the top rack loosely.” Allow your hat to air dry, and viola! Good as new.
My baseball caps used to look dingy until I tried the dishwasher trick. Using a cap frame keeps the shape perfect, but I’ve had good luck just placing them loosely on the top rack too. The dishwasher’s heat helps remove sweat stains and odors that hand-washing often misses. I’ve found that skipping fabric softener in the cycle prevents any residue buildup on the fabric. Air-drying is key to avoid shrinking—trust me, I learned that the hard way!
Golf Balls
Anyone who plays golf knows that a clean ball makes it much easier to play your best. Put your dirty golf balls in a mesh bag and run them through the dishwasher on a normal cycle. They’ll come out sparkling.
I’m no pro golfer, but clean golf balls definitely make a difference on the course. The dishwasher gets rid of dirt and grass stains that hand-scrubbing can’t touch. A study from Golf Digest noted that clean balls can improve spin and distance by up to 5%, so it’s worth the effort. I toss mine in a mesh bag to keep them contained, and they come out looking brand new. Just avoid using bleach-based detergents, as they can dull the ball’s finish.
Gardening Tools
To rid your garden tools of dirt, bacteria, and pesticides, place them on the top rack of your dishwasher. Just remember that any tools with wooden handles are better suited to handwashing.
My gardening tools used to be a pain to clean, but the dishwasher makes it so easy to get rid of caked-on dirt and pesticide residue. The high heat kills off soil-borne bacteria, which can spread diseases to plants, according to agricultural studies. I stick to metal or plastic-handled tools and place them on the top rack to avoid damage. A quick tip: run a rinse cycle first if your tools are super muddy to prevent clogging the dishwasher’s filter.
Rubber Floor Mats
If you use rubber floor mats, either in your shower or your car, save yourself the chore of hand-washing them or paying to have your car detailed. Put them in the dishwasher, and they’ll come out clean as can be.
Rubber floor mats in my car used to be a nightmare to clean, but the dishwasher makes them look showroom-ready. The jets blast away dirt and grime, and the heat sanitizes without the need for harsh chemicals. I’ve found that placing larger mats on the bottom rack works best, but check that they’re 100% rubber to avoid melting. This trick has saved me at least $20 per car detailing session, and my mats stay odor-free longer.
Shower Shoes or Flip-Flops
Most shower shoes and rubber or plastic flip-flops are top-rack dishwasher safe. Just be careful not to use any detergents with bleach in them if your shoes have any fabric pieces or straps, as it could damage the material or cause discoloration.
My flip-flops get grimy fast, especially in summer, and the dishwasher has been a total game-changer. The high heat kills off bacteria like Staphylococcus, which thrives in damp shoes, according to health studies. I place mine on the top rack and use a bleach-free detergent to protect the straps. A quick tip: let them air dry completely afterward to prevent any water spots. This method keeps my sandals fresh without the hassle of scrubbing.
Microwave Turntables
Cleaning your microwave’s turntable in the sink can be a pain, but luckily most, if not all, of them are dishwasher safe. To get rid of the food splatter and grime, put it in the dishwasher just like you would your regular dishes.
My microwave turntable always seems to collect splattered sauce, and scrubbing it by hand was such a chore. The dishwasher gets it sparkling in one cycle, and the high heat cuts through grease like magic. I’ve noticed that running a vinegar rinse cycle beforehand helps loosen stubborn stains, making the turntable look brand new. Just make sure it’s securely placed on the bottom rack to avoid any rattling during the cycle.
Pet Toys
“As a dog owner, I’ve noticed that my pup’s toys get grubby and I know they pick up cat hair and germs from the floor,” Berry says. “I wash her rubber or plastic toys on the top rack of the dishwasher once a week, then shake out any water well.” Keeping toys clean extends their lifespan and keeps your dog excited to play with them again and again.
My dog’s rubber toys used to get so slimy, but the dishwasher makes them look and smell fresh. The heat sanitizes, killing off germs like Salmonella that can linger on pet toys, according to veterinary studies. I pop them in a mesh bag on the top rack to keep them secure. A quick tip: shake out excess water and let them air dry to prevent any trapped moisture. This trick has saved me from replacing toys too soon, and my pup loves them even more when they’re clean.
Children’s Toys
Children’s toys are likely crawling with dirt and germs. “Load up the top rack with bath toys, play dishes, building blocks, squeakers, etc.,” says McAllister. “Any small parts should go in a mesh bag so that they don’t fall and wreck your machine.” Keep in mind that not all toys are dishwasher safe. “Anything that is irreplaceable, I would wash by hand.”
Kids’ toys get so grimy, especially bath toys that trap water inside. The dishwasher is a lifesaver for sanitizing them, and I’ve found that the high heat kills off mold spores that can grow in damp toys, according to pediatric safety guidelines. I always use a mesh bag for small pieces like building blocks to keep them from falling through the racks. A quick tip: check for any battery-operated or fabric toys and hand-wash those instead to avoid damage. This method keeps my kids’ toys clean and safe without hours of scrubbing.
