What Not To Out On The Bottom Rack Of The Dishwasher: 10 Items

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We’ve all been there: The kitchen is a disaster, the dinner dishes have piled up, post-dinner exhaustion has set in, and the temptation to just toss everything into the dishwasher and hit "start" is real. Dishwashers are one of the great conveniences of the modern world and a true game-changer for anyone who likes to eat at home. However, that incredible convenience does require a little consideration.No matter how tired you are or how messy the kitchen is, sadly not everything can go in the dishwasher. In fact, there are many, many things that shouldn’t go in the dishwasher. We listed 22 of them here. There are rules one needs to follow with a dishwasher, including these four, and here’s one more: not everything can go in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.

While it might seem like a convenient place for all those kitchen items, some items should be kept to the top rack only. That’s because the water flow on the lower rack can be too strong for certain items and can lead to poor cleaning results, damage to your dishes, or even harm to your appliance. We spoke to a few experts to find out what items to never put on the bottom rack of the dishwasher.

"Delicate items like some glassware, crystal, and china with a silver or gold trim should not go on the bottom rack or, possibly, not in your dishwasher at all. Because of the heat and high-water pressure, plasticware can warp or melt,” says Glenn Lewis, President, Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company.

"In general, avoid putting smaller items on the dishwasher's bottom rack to prolong the lifespan of your machine and enhance the cleanliness and quality of your dishes," says Mackenzie Reed, Brand Management Analyst at Whirlpool Corporation.

"Large utensils such as spatulas, ladles, and large spoons should be placed on the top rack rather than the bottom rack to ensure the most efficient clean," suggests Reed.

"Before placing plastics in the dishwasher, it’s important to first check whether your plastic utensils, dishes, and cups are dishwasher safe. It is recommended to place heat-resistant plastics in the upper racks to avoid the risk of weakening, warping, or melting the item," says Mattia Sala, Product Manager at SMEG USA.

"Wine glasses should be placed at the top rack because they are delicate items and can be broken," says Fantastic Service's house cleaning expert and supervisor Petya Holevich.

"Silicone baking mats, muffin liners, and spatulas are heat-resistant, but they are still vulnerable to warping and excessive exposure to heat when placed on the bottom rack. Over time, prolonged high heat can cause the silicone to degrade, making it less flexible or affecting its nonstick properties," says Alicia Sokolowski of AspenClean.

"Avoid placing small plates and bowls on the bottom of the dishwasher’s rack to help prevent them from filling with water during the cycle," says Reed.

"These items should go on the top track between tines-which are the lines that protrude on your dishwasher's upper and lower racks-and angled downwards to ensure they are properly cleaned. Failure to do so may result in leftover food and drink residue on your dishes," says Reed.

"Your water bottle or travel mug might not stay leakproof after being put in the dishwasher. The heat can damage the insulated airspace, making it less effective at keeping drinks hot or cold," says Holevich.

"Anything with sentimental value should be taken care of very well. Loading your cherished heirloom dishes onto the bottom rack can damage them. The high heat and water pressure can cause chipping, fading, or a dull finish, especially if there are metallic details. For them, hand-washing is best," suggests Holevich.