What dishes can not be washed in the dishwasher? Rules. Dishwashers: how will we wash the dishes? How to wash small items in the dishwasher

The presence of a dishwasher in the house is not an indicator of luxury, but only confirms the desire of people to keep up with the times and technology. Such a device performs an important task, depriving the owners of the need to wash dishes by hand. But before buying a system, you need to figure out what cannot be washed in the dishwasher and how to care for it.

What can be washed

Modern dishwashers are designed not only for cleaning dishes from food residues, but also for washing cutlery and all kinds of kitchen accessories. Spoons and plates, glasses and cups, knives and cutting boards, pots and other utensils. In addition to dishes, in PMM they wash a variety of devices that are in the arsenal of housewives. And they all need regular cleaning.

To determine which dishes can be washed in a dishwasher, you need to understand how the system works and imagine the entire washing process after switching on. Kitchen items are washed with aggressive chemicals and hot water. Individual materials cannot withstand such an impact and are subject to deformation.

If prohibited utensils are placed in the device, this will not only damage it, but also increase the risk of damaging the PMM itself.

Any dishes placed inside the dishwasher are affected by the following factors:

• Aggressive detergents.
• Water heated to +50…75°C.
• Prolonged stay in a humid environment (some dishwasher modes provide a four-hour wash).
• Drying with hot air.

Some materials calmly react to high temperatures, but are afraid of detergents. Others are contraindicated in a humid environment, because it leads to their swelling.

Before you start cleaning, you need to make sure that the selected dishes can be washed in the dishwasher. If this is not the case, it is better to prefer the manual method.

Leading dishware manufacturers place special icons on their products that indicate whether it can be washed in a dishwasher or not. However, such markings are not present on all kitchen accessories.

Most kitchen utensils are made of ceramic materials, cupronickel and plastic. Such options are subject to cleaning without any restrictions. It is also allowed to place stainless steel, glass, enameled metals and heat-resistant silicone in the dishwasher. You need to be careful with plastic fixtures, because plastic is not independent material, but represents a whole group of different alloys with distinctive properties.

And if some normally tolerate being in the PMM, others are deformed under the influence of high temperatures or aggressive detergents.

What dishes can not be washed

In addition to the listed types of kitchen utensils, there are products that are strictly forbidden to be washed in a dishwasher. These include spoons, tea service, silicone molds and other devices with stickers. Once in a humid environment, any badge or paper label will get wet and “slip off”.

Aluminum and silver products

Many kitchen manufacturers allow silver or aluminum pans, spoons and cups to be washed in the dishwasher. But different chemical compositions can harm such materials, causing the surface of the dishes to become covered with dark spots and deposits. To prevent this, it is recommended to use proven means. These include washing "Bosch".

If aluminum is placed in a humid environment, this triggers the release of ions. Therefore, if you place several products made of this material in the car and leave them there for 2-3 hours, this will lead to the appearance of a corresponding metallic coating. In this case, aluminum will not only end up on the inner walls of the unit, but will also begin to clog the sprinkler nozzles. Such phenomena are fraught with breakdown of the PMM.

However, aluminum cookware with Tefal non-stick coating easily tolerates exposure to water.

Can you wash cast iron grates in the dishwasher?

Interested in whether it is possible to place cast iron grates in the dishwasher, it is necessary to clarify the specifics of the device itself. Most manufacturers do not advise washing cast iron cookware in PMM, but nothing is said about the grates. Although there are a lot of "pitfalls" here.

Some housewives claim that nothing happened after being in a car with a grill, while others complain about the appearance of plaque and contamination of the internal space of the system.

In addition to grates, other kitchen tools and appliances are cleaned in PMM.

On the forums you can find reviews where a person writes that he washed the meat grinder in the dishwasher, and it began to rust. Therefore, the unequivocal answer to the question of whether it is possible is no. It all depends on the material of manufacture of the structure that you wash.

Any wood is afraid of water, so it is better to clean the blades, boards for cutting meat and products, rolling pins and other wooden structures with your own hands. After entering the dishwasher, they will begin to swell from an excess of moisture, and then shrink due to exposure to high temperatures. As a result, the utensils will crack, deform and become unsuitable for further use.

Modern boards are created from glued parts, not from a single piece of wood. Such objects often fall apart into several elements, once in the water. After contact with water, the adhesive composition can enter the body with food.

Knives and strainers

Knives made of stainless steel can become dull after being in the dishwasher. Nothing threatens the material of manufacture of the machine itself, but kitchen appliance will need to be re-sharpened. This also applies to strainers, graters and other structures with sharp edges - you can only wash them with your hands.

Thermos and crystal products

Many manufacturers of kitchen utensils do not allow crystal products and thermoses to be washed in the dishwasher. The latter are arranged in such a way that their flask is covered heat-insulating material. Under the influence of water, it not only loses its initial properties, but also begins to deform. And the presence of chemicals in the dishwasher threatens to hit harmful substances into the body. And even if you fully dry the container, after washing the insulation will not hold heat as well as before. That's why experienced housewives wash thermoses exclusively by hand.

As for crystal, some designs can be washed in PMM. It all depends on the features and characteristics of the material. Most varieties cannot withstand exposure to temperatures above 50°C. Such heating can cause the formation of microcracks.

It is allowed to place crystal dishes in the dishwasher only if there is a corresponding mark from the manufacturer on its surface.

You buy a dishwasher with the goal of permanently transferring a troublesome and annoying duty to the device. Many of us are sure that after this we will not spend a second washing dishes. But it is not so. For some items, cleaning in this device is taboo. Let's see what dishes can not be washed in the dishwasher. And also that it is absolutely normal to tolerate this procedure.

What can not be washed in dishwasher' is our main question. Let's take a look at the list of dishes that should never be loaded into the dishwasher:

• Antiques, expensive collectibles.
• Wooden utensils - both clean and covered with a pattern, decor.
• Aluminum products.
• Has an adhesive backing.
• All cast-iron utensils - from plates to pans, pots, saucepans.
• Products from ordinary ( not stainless) become.
• Dishes made of copper or tin.
• All items that have embellishing mother-of-pearl inserts.
• Bone utensils or items inlaid with bone decor.
• Objects with burnt food residues.
• Thermoses.
• Immersion faience.
• Kitchen knives ( if the car does not have a special section for them with minimal exposure to high temperatures).
• Products with gilding, stickers, rhinestones and other decor that can easily come off.
• Crockery with mesh inserts.

Such a product simply does not clean in the "dishwasher" You can just ruin the thermos
Cast iron is also to be regretted
The wood just cracks Do not wash aluminum utensils in the dishwasher - it will oxidize

Why can't it be washed?

Let's take a look at why it is impossible to wash those other items in the dishwasher:

• All wooden items ( cutting boards, spoons, spatulas, etc.) are afraid of high temperatures - they begin to crack, warp.
• Products with glued parts: everything is simple here - in hot water the glue softens, and the dishes lose some of their element.
• Manual art painting not as strong as the factory one. Therefore, sending exclusive dishes to " dishwasher", you risk ruining it. Too high price.
• Thermoses, thermos mugs with glass flask and foam insulation layer, in principle, are not intended for washing in dishwashers. This is fraught with water ingress between the layers, which leads to the appearance of a musty smell, the formation of mold. And also such washing simply destroys the thermal insulation properties.
• Kitchen knives are not recommended to be placed in the dishwasher for the reason that they become blunt from high temperatures. Knives from a meat grinder turn black from such cleaning. In addition, sharp blades can damage the internal parts of the machine and injure you.

• But cast iron after washing in the device will be constantly covered with a whitish coating. Frequent such procedures can lead to the fact that it will begin to rust. Even with manual cleaning, detergents should not be used, and the cleaning itself should be done only in warm water. Severe dirt is rubbed with salt.
• Aluminum from such a wash also turns white, and then oxidizes. This leads to the destruction of the metal, the appearance of holes on it.
• Copper from the high temperatures of the water in the machine darkens, unsightly spots appear on it.
• Dishwasher washing of multicooker bowls is detrimental to the coating of the latter. These dishes are hand washed only.

• Baking trays, especially those covered with a dense fatty layer, are soaked with dishwashing gel, after which they are cleaned by hand. The fact is that fat clogs the filter of the machine.
• Various graters, strainers, garlic presses, colanders are not intended for washing in " dishwasher". The machine does not help to wash small stuck pieces of food out of them. And if this dish is metal, then it will rust from such washing.
• Products with applied gilding are only suitable for hand wash. Otherwise, the decor fades, washed off.
• Products with stickers, stickers, labels. Many specifically upload it to " dishwasher", so as not to bother with the removal of firmly glued pieces of paper. But in vain. Of course, it will separate from the dishes, but the paper can clog the internal elements of the machine, which is no longer good.

Many homeowners believe that dishwasher» can also perform the functions washing machine, why are they placed in it dirty kitchen towels, napkins, rags, potholders. In no case should you do this if you do not want your car to fail soon.

Advice! Full list for what your dishwasher is not designed for, is contained in the instructions for the device.

What can be trusted with a car?

Now we know that you can't wash in the dishwasher. But when buying this device, you must be sure that it is one hundred percent safe to put the following in it:

• Heat resistant plastic items.
• Glass products.
• Porcelain and faience ( but only without applied, sprayed decor).
• Cutlery made of cupronickel and steel.
• Ceramics, with or without pattern. Products do not crack, decor does not leave them. The main thing is that they do not touch each other during washing.
• Silicone molds for baking.
• Heat resistant plastic cutting boards.
• Crystal, especially Soviet”, ideally tolerates such washing.
• Thermos. But only not painted, having a stainless flask.
• All items made from stainless steel»: knives, spoons, forks, bowls, cups.

Possible, but be careful

There are also items about which it is impossible to say unequivocally whether they can be washed in " dishwasher" or not. Since washing them will be safe only under certain conditions.

Glass

Contrary to some warnings, it is possible to clean glassware in the dishwasher if the material is of high quality and durable. However, the following must be kept in mind:

• Take care of the correct placement - place the dishes in such a way that they do not come close when the device vibrates. The proximity of glass objects is fraught with their blows to each other, which leads to the appearance of cracks, chips.
• How to clean thin glass? The instruction will help here - it contains information about the programs for delicate washing of such products.

Advice! Many dishwashers have special devices for fixing dishes that protect them from moving, falling, hitting ( on the picture). Don't ignore these helpful levers and clips.

Porcelain

Porcelain tableware is dishwasher-safe. However, keep this in mind:

• If the product is decorated with gilding or other decor, then it is best to wash it in a delicate mode in warm, but not hot water.
• If the design is applied over the glaze, then it is possible that washing too often in the device will damage it by tarnishing. If the decor is under glaze, it will withstand any frequency of cleaning.

Here is a small instruction-table for cleaning porcelain.

Advice! Porcelain manufacturers usually put a stamp on their products, indicating the possibility or prohibition of washing in " dishwasher».

Plastic

If you are going to load plastic dishes into the dishwasher, then take note of these tips:

• Only heat-resistant plastic is suitable for such washing!
• The material itself is quite light, so it is likely that such dishes will begin to “walk” inside the machine, catching the rest. Why be sure to secure it with clamps.

Crystal

Is it possible to wash crystal in a dishwasher, what is the best way to do it? This is a rather ambiguous material - especially thin products from foreign manufacturers do not tolerate at all. dishwashers, covered with cracks. Some models perfectly tolerate thermal effects up to +50 degrees. Powder detergents are detrimental to the material.

The machine is especially harmful for surprisingly beautiful variety- baccarat. Such a product from washing and drying in the car will fade and crack.

Hence our advice to you: send to " dishwasher» crystal if the device has a program for washing it. This is either a delicate or a quick wash with water heating up to 30-40 degrees. If it is exceeded, capricious crystal can easily lose its natural luster.

Cutlery

Let's talk a little about the features of washing spoons and forks:

• As we said, steel, cupronickel products are easy to clean in the dishwasher, if they do not have glued or wooden inserts.
• Ambiguous washing of silver dishes. It can quickly become cloudy, covered with dark spots from cleaning in " dishwasher". Of course, hand washing would be more appropriate here. However, in the machine for such products, you can set the delicate mode, and immediately dry it dry after the washing cycle.
• Under no circumstances should steel and silver items be loaded together! Due to reactions of the galvanic effect, silver items may become stained.
• Knives are installed only with the handles up, so that you, forgetting, do not get hurt when you take them out.
• Wash cutlery only in the container intended for them. Otherwise, during the cycle, they will scatter throughout the space, get stuck in the rods, and damage fragile dishes.
• So that the forks do not stick together, they are washed in a container mixed with spoons.

non-traditional products

Often on the net you can find life hacks for washing products in a typewriter that have nothing to do with dishes. How to deal with it?

• In the car, you can not clean what has an adhesive base.
• Non-heat-resistant plastic products are also detrimental to place in " dishwasher».
• All metal objects not coated with anti-corrosion protective layer are not intended for such washing.
• It is forbidden to clean an object soiled with bitumen, tar, ash, paints and lubricants in the device.
• In no case should you put something that gets wet through with water in the car. First of all, it's fabric.

We have discussed in detail with you what cannot be washed in the dishwasher and why. You also know what is not afraid of such cleaning, and the rules for the special washing of products from certain materials.

To use this assistant correctly, first you need to study the instruction manual, but do not forget about the features of the sink, which the manufacturer does not always talk about. After reading our tips, your dishes will be washed economically and efficiently.

Before proceeding with the tips, you need to know how the dishwasher works. The user presses one button, after which the mechanism starts. The water is fed into the tank where heating element brings water to the most suitable temperature (depending on the selected mode). After heating from the tank for detergent the contents enter the tank with already warm water, after which the pump comes into operation, which supplies water to the nozzles and sprays it onto the dishes. This is the first stage, which takes an average of 30 minutes and ends with the draining of dirty water. After the tank is filled with clean water for rinsing. The final stage is drying.

What can be washed in the dishwasher?

Not everything can be loaded into the dishwasher. What can be washed without fear using this mechanism?

- almost any ceramic dish;

— glass plates(the main thing is that they do not touch, otherwise they may split);

- stainless steel products;

- products from cupronickel (in the absence of decorative elements);

- thermos (in the upper compartment);

- products with a titanium coating (only if gentle means are used);

- porcelain and faience dishes (without drawings and gilding).

Some dishes are labeled as being dishwasher safe (this information is provided by manufacturers such as Calphalon, KitchenAid, Frybest, TVS, Alluflon).

Contraindications for washing in a dishwasher

Now let's talk about appliances forbidden for washing in this household appliance. If you do not want to be disappointed and throw your favorite dishes in the trash, check out the list below:

- products with Teflon coating (regular washing pans or pots with a non-stick coating in the dishwasher will cause the disappearance of this layer);

- enameled and cast-iron utensils (the essence of cast-iron utensils is hardening, and the dishwasher nullifies it);

- bowls from the multicooker;

- silver plate;

- crystal;

- Cutlery and utensils decorative elements;

— wooden utensils(quickly swells and forms cracks);

- a garlic squeezer and a grater (it's useless, not a single dishwasher will wash food leftovers from small holes);

- containers with stickers (if the label comes off the body, nothing bad will happen to the dishes, but the equipment may suffer);

- aluminum dishes (paints the inner surface of the device);

- kitchen knives of large sizes (if there are no special racks for sharp objects, otherwise they can damage rubber and plastic parts household appliances);

- copper utensils (copper products attract with their characteristic color, but quickly fade in the dishwasher);

- vacuum mugs and drinking bowls, water can easily get inside;

- items made of brass, they may lose their protective layer and become unusable.

What, besides dishes, can be washed in the dishwasher?

These household appliances help not only in the kitchen, but also around the house. In addition to dishes, she washes toys, brushes, sponges and much more:

- sponges for dishes (periodically they require thorough washing);

- soap dishes, cups and containers for toothbrushes;

- cosmetic brushes (manually it is impossible to get rid of bacteria);

- hair brushes (after cleaning);

- vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, beets, potatoes (without the use of detergents!);

— shades;

- filters;

- plastic items;

- vacuum cleaners;

- computer keyboard (placed on the top shelf with the keys down);

- caps (easy to wash in the dishwasher and do not deform, unlikewashing machine );

- ventilation covers (manually it is almost impossible to wash);

— Rubber Shoes(having previously cleaned of dirt and removed the insoles);

- baking sheets;

- flower pots.

How to arrange the dishes inside the appliance?

Household appliances wash every appliance placed on its territory, but if they are not positioned correctly, the quality of washing will deteriorate. How to place dishes inside the high-quality washing mechanism?

How to choose the right mode?

The quality of washing and resource consumption depend on the selected mode. The standard washing mode uses several stages: preliminary disposal of food residues, washing with hot water with the addition of detergents, rinsing and drying. In addition to the standard mode, there are several more options:

- intensive washing mode (used for washing especially dirty dishes (many years of grease, dried stains));

- delicate mode (for "vulnerable" dishes);

- economical mode (low-temperature mode, saving resource consumption);

- express mode.

By choosing the mode for specific requirements, you can save not only time, but also the cost of servicing household appliances.

How to choose the right detergents?

Pay attention only to special means for a kitchen helper, no standard dish balms and laundry detergents! Specialized products are divided into two types: powder and tablet.

Each of them has advantages: powder ones are economical (minimal consumption), tablet ones are convenient (combine detergent, rinse aid and salt). The consumption is as follows: powder 30 grams, tablet - 1 tablet per cycle.

Means are divided into strongly alkaline (for standard washing) and slightly alkaline (for fragile utensils, contain enzymes). If there are no special operating conditions in the instructions for the detergent, it is better not to risk using it to wash silver and crystal.

It is good if the detergent is made on the basis of natural ingredients, without chlorine, phosphates and other harmful additives. The process occurs due to oxygen and active components. Among the popular "eco" manufacturers of detergents for dishwashers are Proprete, Gruen-Green, De la Mark, Klar, as well as:

— Mrs. Meyer's is a manufacturer that does not use phosphates and chlorine, instead using an oxygen formula;

- Finish Quantum - produces three-component substances: bleaching particles, rinse aid, balls to remove contaminants;

- Cascade Complete is a manufacturer that produces a gel product that does its job perfectly.

Dishwasher salt is included in many tablets, but in the case of using powdered detergent, you need to get additional salt. The amount of this substance depends on the degree of water hardness. Saving on salt will lead to the formation of scale and calcium deposits.

A rinse aid that prevents water droplets from forming is used by many users. But it is better if it is part of detergents.

Attention deserves and means for washing household appliances. With a frequency of 1 time in 5-10 months, depending on the frequency of use, it is recommended to clean this household appliance. Unfortunately, with many advantages, the kitchen unit can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs that require systematic destruction. Products containing enzymes and polycarboxylates are excellent for cleaning and disinfecting kitchen appliances.

Do you think that buying a dishwasher will completely relieve you of the hassle of washing dishes? First you need to know what can not be washed in the dishwasher. Far from all kitchen utensils can be sent to PMM - this threatens to damage the dishes themselves or machine parts. Let's figure out what dishes can and cannot be put in the dishwasher.

Considering that today it is not made from two or three standard materials, but from a whole set, it is not always easy to understand what is worth clearing in manual mode. On the shelves you can find glass, porcelain, faience, crystal, cast iron, ceramic, wood, cupronickel, plastic, silver, stainless and other products.

Aluminum - away from PMM!

This is the first and main unwanted guest on the shelves of the dishwasher. The metal easily comes into contact with substances, even with water under certain conditions. in contact with chemical components, dissolved in hot water, baking sheets, bowls, mugs and other aluminum products are covered with a dark gray coating. If you inadvertently sent aluminum utensils to the PMM, be careful: the plaque is easily soiled, it can leave marks on your hands and other utensils.

Hundreds of people messed up by mistake:

• parts from meat grinders, juicers;
• garlic crushers;
• spoons and forks;
• geyser coffee makers;
• buckets;

• baking sheets;
• pots and pans, etc.

There is several ways to remove plaque that appeared after washing - read about them in a separate article.

Important! If you care about your health, replace aluminum cookware with more harmless options.

Some aluminum utensils will darken on the first wash, but this can happen on the second or third wash as well. Therefore, if your friends tell you: “Yes, I have already washed aluminum in the dishwasher three times, everything is fine!” - do not take my word for it.

What happens in the PMM bunker

Why is one plate easy to clean in automatic mode, and the second cannot be sent to the machine? In the washing chamber, manufacturers have created special conditions that affect materials. Let's designate these factors:

• high temperature (water or air during drying);
• strong chemicals in detergents;
• prolonged stay in water, etc.

Considering that even porcelain can react differently to exposure to high temperature water, it will not be easy to remember which factors other materials react to. So just put both aluminum and the materials listed below on your stop list.

Wooden and plastic utensils

Everything that is made of wood, many invariably strive to wash it in a typewriter. Of course, then panic and questions “What to do?” follow. It's simple: a tree with prolonged contact with water tends to swell. Wood is completely saturated with moisture, its dimensions grow, and the product changes its original appearance. After drying, it shrinks, and the bond between the fibers at this moment is irrevocably destroyed.

What do we get as a result? Complete or partial, but significant deformation of the object, cracks and unsightly appearance. It is enough for a wooden rolling pin to lie down in water for half an hour to swell - and this is in a cold one, in a hot one the process goes even faster. In the PMM, the washing cycle can be extended up to 4 hours, plus chemistry - the device cannot stand this.

Usually housewives put such dishes made of wood into the machine:

• wooden boards;
• pestles;
• shoulder blades;
• bowls or plates;
• coasters for hot and much more.

Plastic utensils are less demanding than wooden utensils, but successful washing can only be done if a number of conditions are met. If the plastic is not a heat-resistant type, there will definitely be a “Do Not Wash!” sign on the dishes, otherwise you will find a sign that allows washing in the dishwasher.

100% forbidden to wash in PMM:

• disposable tableware;
• plates without permission icons;
• toys that emit a strong chemical smell;

• plastic utensils with glued parts or decor;
• plastic containers, bottles without marks allowing automatic washing.

What is better to wash by hand

Aluminium, plastic and wood are not the only materials that are not put on dishwasher shelves. Do not wash in the dishwasher:

1. Porcelain cups and saucers. All chinaware is best washed by hand, but fine china is especially sensitive to automatic washing and turbo drying.
   
2. Cast iron cookware. For one sink with cast-iron grates, pots, cauldrons and other utensils, nothing will happen. But over time (for 2-3 washings) you will notice a change for the worse. Cast iron takes corrosion - appearance will be completely damaged, and unique qualities lost.
   
3. Crystal. Rinse your favorite crystal dinner set under the tap so as not to encounter “glass corrosion” (microcracks and scratches) and so that glasses and salad bowls do not burst from temperature fluctuations. If you still want to take the risk, then there are some tips, how to secure crystal in PMM as much as possible.
   
4. Vacuum containers. Containers, mugs, pots and thermoses pump out air, creating a vacuum inside. For intensive washing useful property can be broken, and your favorite thermal mug or lunch box will not keep food warm.
   
   

   Important! If there is a mark on the thermos or thermo mug that allows washing in PMM, wash it. If the icon is not found - better by hand.

5. Sharp knives. There is an unspoken rule: in order not to dull the knife, it is washed quickly and under lukewarm water. If you leave the knife in hot water for a few minutes, sharpening will become worse, and constant washing of knives with high temperatures make you sharpen your knives several times a week.
   
   

   Important! Do not put other sharp objects in the PMM (knives from a blender, graters, barbecue forks) - they will quickly become “dull”.

6. Copper utensils, silver and cupronickel. Like aluminum, these metals do not tolerate contact with powders and hot water. Copper darkens and loses its attractiveness.

• silicone molds will withstand the temperature, but washing can affect their properties (according to reviews, pastries will not stick well);

• enameled dishes (enamel will crack);

• clay pots (cracked);

• thin ceramic dishes;
• electric grill plates (teflon);
• refrigerator shelves (metal, painted - the coating comes off easily);
• aquarium (may stick or crack);

• extractor elements - filter and parts made of aluminum.

Answers on questions

Having collected all the readers' questions related to the topic, we answered in detail the most interesting and relevant ones.

Question: Can Tefal pans be washed in the dishwasher?

Answer: The non-stick properties of Teflon pans can be broken after 2-3 washes in the PMM. Studying the forums of housewives, we came to the conclusion that some calmly wash such dishes in the typewriter for years, while the latter complain that they have already “killed” several pans, despite the permission sign. It's about the quality of the pan and the aggressiveness of detergents.

Question: Can the electric kettle be washed?

Answer: Yes, manually. In order not to damage the appliance, rinse the kettle with warm water under the tap.

Question: Is it possible to wash the jug "Barrier" or "Aquaphor" in the washing machine?

Answer: You can. Choose a temperature cycle for washing the jug up to 40 degrees.

Question: I want to wash the steamer with other than my hands. Will it spoil?

Answer: Depends on the material of the steamer. An aluminum container will deteriorate, and a plastic steamer has no contraindications.

Question: I was going to sterilize the jars in the dishwasher. Never tried. What mode to set?

Answer: In the absence of the “sterilization of cans” function (in some Bosch models), choose a temperature regime of at least 60 degrees.

We hope that our advice will be useful to you. Happy washing experiments.

Just as a car will not work without gasoline and oil, a dishwasher is practically useless without detergents, regeneration salt and rinse aid. To remove really clean and shiny dishes from the dishwasher, you need to use effective detergents, which are not so few on the modern market. Let's try to figure out how you can wash dishes in the dishwasher today.

Are you in powder or tablets?

Remember, under no circumstances should ordinary soap and powder be used to wash dishes in the dishwasher.

They produce two types of detergents for dishwashers: powdered and in tablets. When choosing a dishwasher, you should definitely check with the sellers what types of detergents can be loaded into the device you like.

Powder is the most popular and affordable detergent. On average, about 25-30 g of powder is consumed per wash cycle, respectively, to purchase a kilogram of this detergent, which is enough for 35-40 cycles, you will need 180-450 rubles.

Thus, the cost of one washing cycle with the use of powder is 4-8 rubles. As a rule, a measuring spoon is supplied with the package to correctly determine the required amount of powder, or the volume of the container cap is indicated on the package, which in this case can be used as a measuring container.

Tablets are slightly more convenient to use than powder because they cannot accidentally wake up during use. It should be borne in mind that, as a rule, detergent in tablets in terms of one wash cycle is slightly more expensive than detergent in powder. Tablets are single-layer (standard detergent), multi-layer and multi-layer combined (3 in 1 type), with different dissolution rates of the layers.

Please note that detergents in the form of tablets sometimes do not have time to dissolve during short programs. For this reason, dishwasher manufacturers recommend choosing programs of normal duration when using detergent tablets. The dosage depends on the size of the dishwasher and is usually indicated in technical specifications unit.

The usual consumption of detergent tablets is one tablet per cycle, in case of very hard water the initial dosage should be increased by one tablet. On average, a package of 25 tablets costs about 180-250 rubles, of 60 pieces - over 400 rubles. Usually, 1 tablet is placed in a standard dishwasher for 12 sets of dishes. Thus, the cost of one washing cycle with the use of tablets is 6-8 rubles (in this case, we are talking about standard detergents, and not about 3-in-1 tablets).

Tablets are also combined

By using multi-layer combined detergents in the form of tablets, you simultaneously load into the machine and detergent components, and components that soften water and replace regenerating salt, and rinse aid. Dishwasher models that allow the use of combined products are now becoming more common. To be sure of such a possibility, you need to check the instructions.

Nevertheless, we must not forget that this remedy is not suitable for a short program for the same reason: the dissolution of the combined tablet takes too long. It is also not recommended to use combined detergents in regions with very hard or, conversely, very soft water.

Nevertheless, dishwashers with a special program that is most adapted to the use of detergent tablets have begun to appear on the market of modern household appliances more and more often. combined type. Most manufacturers (e.g. Miele, Electrolux, AEG, Bosch, Siemens, Gorenje, Asko) provide dishwashers with a special “three in one” function that sets any affordable program washing.

About alkalis and enzymes

According to the degree of impact on the dishes, detergents can be divided into two groups. The first will include strongly alkaline detergents containing caustic alkaline components such as sodium carbonates, silicates, phosphates, chemical bleaches based on oxygen or chlorine. The purpose of these components is saponification and destruction of fatty and protein contaminants.

In the second - slightly alkaline detergents. The composition of weakly alkaline products, as a rule, includes enzymes. An indication of the presence of enzymes in the composition of the detergent means that this detergent is best suited for washing dishes at a water temperature of about 45-50 degrees, because it is in this mode that ideal conditions are created for the manifestation of the properties of enzymes.

Enzymes are biological enzyme additives that break down proteins, fats and polysaccharides that make up pollution. Detergents typically contain the following types of enzymes: proteases (alkaline) that help remove dirt protein origin, and amylases, which are effective in removing starch contaminants such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cereals, custard, sauces and chocolate. The use of amylases in combination with proteases mutually enhances the action of both substances.

Lipases facilitate the removal of fat and oil based contaminants left by fatty foods. But it is precisely insoluble proteins, fats and oils that are firmly "eaten" into the dishes, especially if several hours have passed after its use. In this case, the use of detergents with enzymes significantly increases the washing efficiency.

In the composition of any detergents, in addition to the components already mentioned, low-foaming surfactants are necessarily present.

More about chemistry

If you start to carefully study the packaging of detergent, you will notice that there are three types of detergents:

Detergents containing an oxidizing agent based on chlorine perfectly wash off any type of dirt, but, being quite caustic, are not recommended for washing fragile, thin and metal (aluminum, silver) dishes.

Detergents containing alkaline components and an oxygen-based oxidizing agent have a milder bleaching effect and are therefore suitable for most types of dishes, except for those that will be discussed later.

Detergents containing alkaline components and enzymes, without oxidizing components, have a good washing effect at low temperatures and are gentle on dishes.

Check a hundred times, one mound

When choosing a detergent, do not forget to clarify what types of dishes it is suitable for washing. If there are no special marks, you should not take risks and wash fragile crystal and especially silver with this detergent. For machine washing of silverware, you should find a detergent whose packaging specifies this possibility.

In principle, some types of dishes can be washed in a dishwasher, but only in a gentle mode and with extreme caution. This means that you should select a delicate program with the lowest temperature and duration of washing, and after the end of the cycle, remove the dishes from the machine as soon as possible. In this case, the dose of detergent used is recommended to be reduced by about 1.5 times. In this way, for example, you should wash cups and plates with pictures and icing separately using the program for fragile dishes. Dishes requiring extreme care also include:

. crockery;

. crockery with overglaze painting, (which, if it does not disappear, may lose color and turn pale);

. aluminum objects(aluminum dissolves by the action of alkalis and oxidizing agents);

. glassware, on the packaging of which there is no symbol indicating the possibility of washing in a dishwasher: at a temperature of 35-40 degrees, such glass will not crack, but it may become cloudy.

Just in case, we remind you that the following types of dishes are absolutely not intended for washing in a dishwasher, no matter what detergent is used:

. old dishes, the coating of which is not heat-resistant;

. glued dishes;

. cutlery with wooden, horn, porcelain or mother-of-pearl handles;

. items made of ordinary (rusting) steel;

. not heat-resistant plastic items;

. wood products (for example, cutting boards);

. tin or copper items;

. products of arts and crafts - for example, Gzhel and Khokhloma;

. very small items that can fall out of the trays during washing and get on the moving parts of the machine.

What to choose from

The range of products for dishwashers in Russian stores, in contrast to the products for hand washing, is not sufficiently diverse. The brands on sale can be counted on the fingers, and these are mainly European-made products: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Somat, Frosch, Dalli, WKultra, Fairy.

Don't forget to rinse...

To completely remove detergent residue from dishes and give them a shine, most manufacturers recommend adding a special liquid rinse aid to the machine. It is usually formulated with non-ionic surfactants to ensure effective water wetting of the surface, resulting in faster water runoff, faster drying and no streaks or stains on the surface, and an acid (such as citric acid) to remove and neutralize the alkaline components of the detergent itself. .

The average price for a 500 ml bottle in Moscow household appliances stores is 80-120 rubles. The most popular brands of rinses are the same as powders: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Klarspuller.

On average, a bottle of rinse aid with a volume of 0.5-0.7 liters is enough for 10-12 cycles of full-fledged washing of dishes in a dishwasher (the consumption for 1 cycle is 0.003-0.005 liters). Rinse aid promotes more efficient drying and clarity glassware; without rinse aid, dishes, especially glassware, tend to tarnish.

Rinse aids are not harmful to health and are completely rinsed out during the rinse cycle. However, if there are severe allergies in the family, it is recommended to restart the dishwasher after washing, just in case, by selecting the rinse cycle (such a program is usually provided for models of the middle and higher price categories).

And salt...

For getting good results when washing dishes it is necessary to use soft water, i.e. containing a small amount of lime. Otherwise, white lime deposits appear on the dishes and the inside of the dishwasher itself. Contact your waterworks for information on the water hardness level in your area. Some dishwasher manufacturers (eg Brandt) include a water hardness tester with the appliance.

There are 5 levels of water hardness (0-6 dH, 7-11 dH, 12-16 dH, 17-21 dH, 22-35 dH, respectively), and with four of them (from 2nd to 5th), water requires softener to ensure proper operation of the dishwasher.

In Moscow tap water has quite high level hardness, therefore, before the washing cycle, it is imperative to load regenerating salt into the machine. In most dishwashers, the container for regenerating salt is large enough, and you can immediately load up to 1-2 kilograms of product there, and when it comes to an end, the “add salt” indicator on the control panel will light up. The average cost of a standard package of regenerating salt (2 kg) is 130-200 rubles. For health, regenerating salt is not harmful.

So that the quality of washing does not cause the slightest disappointment, it is recommended that before putting the dishes in the machine, wash off the remnants of adhering food from them with a strong jet of water. Chances are, even if you don't do this, your dishes will still be sparkling clean at the end of the wash cycle, no matter what, but if the dishes are heavily soiled (this applies mostly to pots and pans), some traces may still remain.

Of course, the pan can be put in the machine for one more cycle, and then for another (experts believe that in three cycles of operation the dishwasher is able to steam off any stain, except perhaps traces of lipstick), but why waste electricity when you can get by with a little - just substitute dirty dishes under running water or soak them for a while in the sink.

When choosing which detergents to use - standard or combined, keep in mind that in the first case you can adjust the consumption of funds depending on the specific washing conditions, and in the second you constantly spend a certain “average” dose of detergent and cannot save.

And even that's not all!

On sale there are some more accessories designed for dishwashers. These include, firstly, a degreaser - a product for removing grease from the inside of the dishwasher (sold in the form of a gel or granular powder); secondly, a deodorant that eliminates unwanted odors in the dishwasher, giving freshly washed dishes a slight floral or citrus scent; and thirdly, guaranteeing optimal performance of your dishwasher and reducing energy consumption.

The degreaser is usually poured (powder) or poured (gel) into the same compartment where detergent powder is usually placed. It is recommended to use a degreaser every 15-20 dishwasher cycles. Detailed Instructions on the use of degreaser and deodorant are always contained on the package.