Many items are dishwasher safe in the top rack only. This is because the top rack cleans more gently, and at a lower water pressure than the bottom rack, so more delicate items will be safer there. If ...

Upper Rack Cups, glasses, and small bowls should be placed in the top rack. Dishwasher-safe plastics also belong on the top rack, away from any heating element, which can cause damage.

Keep them clean by washing them every day in the dishwasher (top rack or silverware basket) when you do the dishes. (Make sure to check for the "dishwasher-safe" label.) 16.

Unless they're marked “dishwasher safe,” do not put plastic items in the dishwasher. Items that are labeled “dishwasher safe” should be placed on the top rack only. Otherwise, the heating ...

Place dishwasher-safe items in the covered portion of the utensil holder to give them a comprehensive cleaning. Baseball Caps "Baseball caps clean up nicely in the dishwasher," McAllister says.

"Even if they’re labeled dishwasher-safe, plastic can warp or melt on the bottom rack where the heat is most intense," Robin Murphy, the founder of Maid Brigade, says.

Make sure you know what you’re putting in, and where. Your health could depend on it.

Sharp knives: Even if they’re labeled dishwasher-safe, you should wash them by hand because they can get dull after rubbing against other cutlery in the basket. (See our review of the best chef ...

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 ...