In my house, it’s not just a dishwasher. It’s a high-tech disinfecting MACHINE. And I know, that’s probably not exactly what the manufacturer had in mind, but I happen to live in a large family where a good deal of disinfecting is required. That water gets all steamy hot in there, and I just can’t resist using it for non-dish things. Here is some of what I regularly wash in there:
Toothbrushes (especially after a virus)
Kitchen scrub brush and sponges
Soccer shin guards
Baseball caps
Hair bows
Hair brushes (after pulling off all the gunky stuff)
Swim goggles
Any number of plastic toys (especially bath toys)
Soap dispenser
Reusable cleaning spray bottles
Paintbrushes (after the paint is washed off)(Bad idea, my art-teacher friend E has written to tell me–oh well, live and learn)
Earrings (those that aren’t too delicate to handle the heat)
Hammers and screwdrivers (those things just start looking nasty after a while)
A whole bunch of other things I can’t remember right now.
In case you’re wonder, I don’t wash the gross stuff with our dishes, so I don’t have to worry about finding hairbrush residue or smelly soccer sweat in my clean dishes (Yum! Want to come over for dinner?) Additionally, I frequently run it empty with a cup of bleach poured in the bottom, to kill whatever germs the super-hot water might have missed.
Do you have any creative uses for your dishwasher? I’d love to hear your ideas.
(This probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway–proceed carefully. Everyone’s particular dishwasher is different, as are the items you might want to wash in there. Don’t ruin stuff!)
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Please remember that next Wednesday, November 5th, is a themed edition of WFMW. It’s the Toys Worth Buying Edition, in which we’ll all share favorite and tested toys that you’d recommend to your friends. Please share your favorite toy suggestions, and save us all from buying gifts that are going to be relegated to the garage or attic after two weeks!
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Rocks In My Dryer 
No one left a comment yet? Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday : )
Now I really wish I had a dishwasher. 🙂
You really wash your hammers and screwdrivers? Man, you’re amazing. 🙂
I don’t have a dishwasher, so unfortunately I don’t have any creative uses for it. I just so happened to write my WFMW post about HAND-washing dishes today! I think I came up with the best way to do it.
Hats…hadn’t thought of that one! Great idea! Thanks Shannon!
Erin
I wash our combs and Dawgs in ours. I never thought of toothbrushes – I’ll have to remember that when we’re over the current bug of the week. Awesome tip!
I’ve used of those ideas, but I don’t think I would have ever thought of putting tools in the dishwasher! I’ll see what my husband thinks of that one. Thanks for the ideas. I’ll definitely try a couple.
I thought I was the only one that used my “dish” washer to wash just about everything else I could think of! But, your tip gave me some extra inspiration for a few other items that need a quick spin in my dishwasher!
Wow. I’m amazed. I’ve had my own built-in maid all this time and I’ve only been letting her do the dishes!
Crocs man, you forgot the Crocs.
I think that is the only thing I put in there that you didn’t mention.
I like to put my flower vases in, especially when they get all green and stinky.
Didn’t think of the shin guards, but I’m on it now! Thanks!
Thank you, Shannon. I used to pour in some vinegar before starting it because I had heard that was a good rinse agent. Then, my dishwasher repair guy told me I was just pouring it down the drain. He said vinegar is an excellent rinse agent, but to put a full cup in the bottom so it would overflow during the cycle. Apparently before pressing the start button, everything just drains right out.
I want a dishwasher SO BAD.
We put in covers to our lighting fixtures. You can’t believe how dirty they really are.
I already have been told that I’m one of those people that needs therpy because I hand wash my dishes before I put them in the diswasher. I thought that when I got a new fandangled one, it would do the job, but it is the same as all the rest….good for disinfecting…not washing. Obviously I’m lucky if I get my dishes in there.
I put the lid to the kitchen trash can in the dishwasher. I put in most of the things you listed, but I hadn’t thought of the shin guards. Thanks!
Just thought you’d laugh to know:mMy BFF every chapter (#21) and I spent our evening of no-kid girl talk hitting the refresh button over and over again so we could post this. And our husbands think we’re crazy. But we’re crazy together! And we LOVE wfmw. We’re addicted. Hmm, maybe that’s sad.
Never thought of hair brushes in there! Great idea!
be honest… you have at least thought of putting a sticky kid in there more than once.
My neighbors have a creative use for a dishwasher… lawn ornament. It makes for a very chic statement, what with the Lazy-Boy on the porch and all. (the first two months I lived here I just thought they had garage sales really often) Gotta love Kansas…
I keep a spray bottle with diluted bleach under the sink. Every few days I spritz the dishwasher inside to remove any odors or residue left behind.
I too use mine to clean toothbrushes and various other paraphanelia…I’ve gotten quite brave with my dishwasher. Or so I thought…until I read your post!!! 🙂
Yep! I use ours for toothbrushes and the sink scrub brushes and all that. The high-chair tray, stuff like that. I just usually throw out the bath toys when they get black inside (ew).
Oh – hairbows, I wash those in my lingerie bag in with my clothes. That’s what the Hairbow Man at the mall said to do (but NOT put them in the dryer).
Great tips. I had not thought to wash some of those items in the dishwasher. Thanks for the ideas.
Thanks for the great tips. I had not thought about putting some of those items in the dishwasher.
Thanks for hosting. I appreciate your creative dishwasher use. :~D
Those are great ideas for the dishwasher. Do we always have to post on the same thing you do or can we write whatever works for us?
Sadly I can not wash anything plastic in my dishwasher due to super hard water. Someday (said with a wistful voice).
the dishwasher is great for flip-flops & crocs!
Wow, what great ideas! I can’t wait to clean my screwdrivers. 😉
Here is one you may like.
I wash my keyboard every so often.
I put it keys down on the top rack and let it have a go.
When it is done I THOROUGHLY let it try before plugging it into the computer.
nothing like a freshly washed keyboard.
Word of warning, you don’t let it dry, you’ll kill your keyboard.
Awesome list! I should really try a few of these.
And all I have been putting into my dishwasher have been dishes. How boring of me!
Wow – love the bath toys idea. I am going to extend this to the baby toys that are constantly being gummed and passed around!
cool!!
Hey, I’m #81. That’s as good as first, right?
I pre-wash my dishes and consider the dishwasher a disinfectant. I’m glad to know I can use it for shin guards and hair bows. It’s important that they be sterilized.
Those are some crazy dishwasher ideas – very creative!
I am AMAZED by all that stuff you put in! Very tempted to give it a go myself now 🙂
Thanks and have a wonderful wednesday
Just dishes man! Just dishes. 🙂
Two things
In the rules: the data are not right anymore.
I don’t understand how some items survive the dishwasher.
Caps, paintbrushes contain glue that dissolves when a certain temperature is reached.
And the plastic of the swimgoggles hardens.
Or not?
In that case: what kind of dishwasher is it?
Have a nice day!
What a great idea. Toothbrushes I’ve done, but the others are new to me.
LOVE this idea of using the dishwasher for other things!!! Love it! Thanks! Have a great day…
Great tip, Shannon! Thanks again for hosting this carnival. It’s a little bit scary how excited I get when I realize it’s Wednesday and all the tips will be up! 🙂
I actually have two “active” sponges at all times…one is in the dishwasher waiting for the next wash while I use the other one. Then after the wash, I switch them! They never get smelly! Have a great day!
I’m digging your new look! And, of course I like your ideas, too. I had used the dishwasher for a few unconventional ideas, but now I’m ready to really put it to work!
Mine even has a sanitize setting – I love that!! I’ve used them for ball caps many a times, and I think I might actually use them fro cloth diapers. (Already washed of course!!!) Just sometimes they need to get extra hot to kill rash causing bacteria and the clothes washer just doesn’t get hot enough. Sure I could use bleach – but I don’t buy it w/ a septic system and all. 🙂
Thanks for hosting Works For Me Wednesday. I always enjoy it. Great tips about the dishwasher also.
Potatoes. If you need to wash a bunch of potatoes for, like, a baked potato party, send ’em through with no soap.
This art teacher I know 🙂 tells me that paintbrushes should not be washed in hot water. But she’s kind of picky, ha.
Oh, and no soap. No soap on the potatoes, no soap on the paintbrushes:)
Brilliant!
I will wash the bath toys this afternoon instead of soaking them in bleachy water like I was planning on.
I use my dishwasher for lots of the same things – and the reuseable ice packs we use in the coolers on camping trips that get all gunky in the bottom of the cooler at the end of the trip!
CROCS! Yep, I’ve washed them in there! And I love the bleach idea – for when it gets a little not-so-fresh-funky-smelling!
My favorite thing to put in is candle holders and they come out all sparkly. I try to get as much wax off as possible, but I don’t know what it is doing to the machine…
Today is my very first WFMW post! Come over and see what I made to help me get a shower when Li’l Empress is wide awake and raring to go 🙂
I am looking forward to utilizing my dishwasher on a new level after reading your post. Thanks for the terrific ideas.
I do many of the same! I also put my small bathroom trash cans and my kitchen trash can lid – all plastic – in the dishwasher. If it gets dirty and I can fit it in the dishwasher… it goes in there!
I use my dishwasher in the same way–about once a week I run a load of non-dish items. Mostly toys, hair ribbons, and such.
You are a Genius! Do you leave all those things in for the drying cycle too? Or take them out when the wash is done? Genius! I’m really looking forward to next week’s theme!
Blessings, Whitney
I’m with Kim H.- I say CROCS! And FlipFlops. NOT beach toys! I tried that. Sand floated around for a good long while…:-)
I’ve done toothbrush travel holders but hadn’t thought about doing the actual toothbrush – good tip!
Great ideas! Thanks!
My husband will occasionally run the bath toys through the dishwasher to clean them. I think it’s kind of gross… 🙂
Amy @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com
I’ve never thought about toothbrushes! I do use it for toys, scrub brushes, pet dishes that look horrible, and anything I think that wouldn’t get ruined in the dishwasher!
I love the idea about the hair brushes! Mine need cleaning, and I never even considered the dishwasher.
The only “alternative” item I clean in the dishwasher is a kitchen sponge.
LOVE the soccer shin guards and baseball caps. I’ll have to try those.
Oh man, I thought this week was the themed wfmw when I wrote my post last night-I guess I will just put it up again next week? hmmm. Maybe I’ll just republish an old one for this week. Sorry I got it mixed up!
I’ve only put the kitchen brushes in there. Can you wash any kind of shin guard?
I just decided to do a “part two” to my list next week for the theme since there are some great toys I didn’t get in this list.
And I love the idea of sanitizing tooth brushes after colds!
I don’t have the luxury of owning one right this moment..but I may take this as right of aide..I never thought that it would wash just as well or better then anything else..hunh?
Great idea! I use it for the toys that get moldy in the shower oh so quickly here in Florida, with plenty of bleach (and not with dishes LOL).
My mom always washed our ballcaps in the dishwasher when I was growing up. I think they even make molds that are made for that, so that the hats keep their shape. I will have to try some of these other things next time they need cleaning.
Great topic. This is my 1st wfmw. My post is on cleaning cast iron skillets. (not so dishwasher friendly)
Never sure what kind of comment you want. About our post or yours or both or either?
We use our dishwasher as a sanitizer also. But I’d never thought about soccer shin gaurds!! Brilliant!!!
Doctors’ offices do this all the time! My husband’s a pediatrician, and he always used the office dishwasher mostly for all the plastic toys! No sense passing germs around…
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Can’t believe no one has said this yet, but I have used the dw to wash the potty training seat (the one that goes on the floor) and the potty ring that goes on the toilet itself. Obviously not with any dishes in there……but it really works!
I know of someone who used it to defrost her meat. And someone else used it to wash her lettuce. Obviously, no soap and I would imagine they didn’t use the heat cycle on the lettuce. Personally, I wouldn’t do either of those (I have a microwave and a salad spinner) but I thought it was funny. BTW, you can spin your lettuce in the dryer if you don’t have a salad spinner, or just let it drain.
What a great idea, we will definitely try this! 🙂
We have done ball caps, sponges and bath toys in the past.
Have a great rest of the week!
Steph
Now if only I had a dishwasher….
I meant you can spin your lettuce dry on the spin cycle in the washing machine. I would not recommend putting in the dryer!
Stuffed animals if they need a real good cleaning. I paint gourds so they go in there sometimes(before I paint them).
We wash things by hand at out house. The dishwasher that we have is rarely used. I am surprised to see that you use it for so many things. Never thought of it that way.
I pretty much stick to dishes including the pets’ dishes. Although now that I think about it, we’ve run the little cup holders and removable holders in the vehicles. They come out looking so good.
Thanks for hosting.
WOW! I’m stoked about this. I wonder if my new dishwasher has a sanitize setting? I’m going to have to look later today. Even if it doesn’t this just makes SENSE to wash non-dish items in there. And then the tip about bleach in the bottom every so often, that’s perfect. I’m going to do it later today.
Soccer Shin Guards? Brilliant!!! I never thought of that! The boys’ shin guards smell so incredibly nasty that I dry heave in the car on the way home when they’re taking them off. I wonder if this works for goalie gloves, too?
So love this and WFMW! Check out my site to see what’s ahead.
Hey, had to leave another note. Don’t get to try tennis shoes! (My title is not showing on the linky list??)
Great ideas for your Dishwasher. I’m concerned too about the glue and plastic melting. Do you place some (or all) things on top rack to minimize the chances of damage?
I also use it for light fixture globes as someone else mentioned before.
I really wish I had a dishwasher now! Can’t believe I forgot to get my post linked up till now…. 😛
I put my light fixtures in the dishwasher to get them extra sparkly. Also the toothbrush holders, soap dispensers and Crocs. If you buy Crocs that are a little big or yours have stretched out the dishwasher will shrink them a little bit but they do go restretch.
I put a lot of stuff in our dishwasher, too, but I haven’t tried some of those. 🙂
Like you, I don’t wash the gross stuff with the dishes. I’ve washed:
The bathroom soap dish & toothbrush holder
Sponges & scrub brushes
Hairbows, Clips, Brushes, Combs & Toothbrushes
Plastic toys, bath toys
The potty training chair (which comes apart in pieces)
Pacifiers, Teething rings, etc.
Plastic storage containers & baskets
I was going to say Crocs and other flip flops come out super!
By the way, for all the people talking about smelly sports equipment, you should really try some Odoban if you haven’t already – for in between washings. It comes in a spray bottle from Wal-Mart or in an undiluted jug at Costco or Sams. It really works and it smells like Eucalyptus. If it can remove kid pee smell out of sheets and mattresses and cat pee smell off of,… whatever… I’m sure it will work on stinky sports stuff. The spray bottle you can just spray right inside of stinky sneakers, etc, and the smell is gone.
I do this too! When the kids were smaller and had those potty training seats that would fit on the regular toilet seat, we would put them in the dishwasher (without dishes of course) to get them nice and clean.
I still put scrub brushes in there all the time!
I had not thought to put non-kitchen items in my dishwasher. I’ll definitely consider that the next time I have to run my dishwasher. Thanks!
Your “don’t miss” arrow … love it, love it, love it! I *ALWAYS* miss! Thank you for making it pop out at us and scream “pay attention, girls!” 🙂
Doesn’t the dishwasher get a kind of rubber or plastic smell from some of those items. I know someone who cleaned there clogs, or Crocks in it. ick. But it does dissinfect, so that’s good!
I am guessing you guys dont dry your crocs? Crocs will actually shrink f they get too hot! We live in Texas and my daughter left hers in the car in the summer & they actually shrunk! The Croc Folks said that happens because of the material they are made of. Be careful!!
When I was single, and lived in apartments suited for sardines, I used my dishwasher for storage.
Now? If it’s not nailed down, it goes in the dishwasher. I’ve even put the kitchen trash lid in (alone) and gotten it clean, whereas it had never been that clean before.
I’ve got to try that bleach trick.
I do some of these, but I’ve never thought to do baseball caps. I’ll have to give it a trial run with my husband’s grungiest!
Ya know, if you ever wanted to start another blog you could call it “Rocks In My Dishwasher” LOL
I put toothbrushes, sponges, scrubbers, etc in the dishwasher. Does the glue on hairbows come out? I have a cousin that puts silk plants in the dishwasher to remove the dust! Thanks for a great list!
Stephanie
Thanks for hosting Works for Me Wednesday. There are some great tips here. Thanks for your great tip about the dishwasher. I had been washing my sponges and dish scrubber in it, but you’ve given me great ideas for even more use.
What great ideas! I am suddenly excited to go and use my dishwasher!
Crocs. These plastic shoes are safe on the top rack.
Honestly, I don’t use my dishwasher that much. I try to hand wash everything. Crazy, I know!
I have something Brillante for you at my place!!!
I told my husband that you can clean baseball hats in the dishwasher. Do they hold their shape?
Thanks Shannon for this Blog Carnival. I look forward to it each week!
I Love the bleach idea too! Definitely don’t forget the garbage can lids (especially my under the sink garbage lid).
I want to know if anyone EVER AT ALL has got a remedy to clean out a coffee carafe?
Sorry about the link I fixed it. I was just so excited I remembered something that others could use I messed up the link.
great idea’s ! thanks “) marina
Wow, I never knew my dishwasher was so useful!
Never thought to do that! GREAT tip! Got a house full of sickies right now…gonna put the toothbrushes through tonight!
OK: this is actually a “do not wash” story: a lady who put her very expensive and very collectable Radco Christmas ornaments in the dishwasher. (They were dusty from a year in the attic.) You guessed it: paint totally stripped off. No longer collectable, I guess.
Some hammers rust.
Be careful about bleach–it can wreck the seal in your dishwasher. I stopped using liquid detergent because of this.
I’ve been meaning to read your blog because I saw the name on someone else’s blog and I LOVED it! I found it again today on someone else’s blog, and I headed right over. I was really excited when she started mentioning that you talk about frugality. That was the kicker for me.
Oops! I accidentally posted twice — first, just to my home page, then to my WFMW post. Sorry! First-timer.
As for the dishwasher, I’m a HUGE fan of diswashing all of my sponges and scrubbers (although I can’t — quite — bring myself to put the toilet brushes in).
I was also told it’s the only way to properly wash a baseball cap, too … but I think it shrinks them.
I use my dishwasher to wash the globe thingies from light fixtures. They sparkle like new!
Shhhh…. I washed my daughter’s tennis shoes in there the other day! They had gotten moldy after a birthday party and even though I soaked them in bleach water and scrubbed them, the stuff along the edges wasn’t coming off, so I tried the dishwasher. Didn’t really work, but I figure it helped disinfect even more! :-O
You won’t believe this one, but I found a great recipe for cooking salmon in the dishwasher! I’ve tried it a couple of times and it is so moist and wonderful, you wouldn’t believe it.
So there’s this “Home Improvement” episode where Tim tries to cook fish in his dishwasher…
Makes me wish to buy a dishwasher or disinfecting machine – especially for various instruments like screwdrivers:))
There are things like plush toys and slippers that I wash in the washing machine (but I suppose that dishwasher would work better for them)…
My motto is, if it cannot be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine, it has no business being in my house.
I think you covered just about every thing. Many of those I put in the washer, like bows, baseball caps and every kind of children’s shoes – including sandals. See above motto. I have even put my carmats in the washer.
Other dishwasher items:
-Pacifiers. Which you no longer need to wash.
-The knobs to my stove.
-all manner of toys
-lightswitch plates
-my TMJ nightguard
-medicine droppers
But the computer keyboard? That’s nuts.
ok, so i’m excited to hear about the hairbow option.
do you put soap in for that one? if so, normal dishwasher powder? i have a few white bows and other bows that need a good washing…