Dishwasher Dos and Don'ts

You know that you can't put your grandmother's hand-me-down china and silver in the dishwasher. And I'm sure you realize that any cast-iron pots need to be hand washed. But what about items that fall into that dishwasher gray area, such as the ceramic bowl you picked up on your big anniversary trip to Italy or the stainless steel bottle your granddaughter got you to help you "go green"?

While we're on the topic of using the dishwasher and which items are dishwasher safe, do you know the best way to load your dishwasher?

To help you figure this all out, here are the "dishwasher dos" followed by the "dishwasher don'ts."

DO

• Double-check that something you're about to put in the dishwasher for the first time is dishwasher safe.
• Wash plastic, reusable water bottles in the dishwasher (top rack only) and some stainless steel bottles, such as the Klean Kanteen brand, which says its stainless steel bottles are dishwasher safe.
• Arrange plates, dishes and cups in a way that catches the spray so everything gets washed evenly. For example, if the spray wand is in the middle of the dishwasher—maybe it rises up through the bottom rack when you turn the dishwasher on—then face everything towards the center.
• Load knives with the blade down so you don't cut yourself when reaching into the dishwasher.
• Check that nothing you've put in the dishwasher is blocking any spinning wand that sprays water during the cleaning cycle.
• Raise and/or lower the top rack to accommodate tall items, such as your favorite, dishwasher-safe wine glasses.

DON'T

• Put anything plastic on the bottom rack and use the heated dry setting; the extreme heat can cause it to melt.
• Stack spoons all the same way or the "cupped" parts may stick together and not get washed fully.
• Use a phosphate-free dishwashing detergent (gel or powder) if you have hard water. Turns out phosphate is a natural water softener that makes soap more efficient. Without it your dishes are going to come out of the dishwasher dirty.
• Wash pans with a non-stick surface in the dishwasher if you can help it. Though brands such as Calphalon say they are dishwasher safe, they also recommend hand washing and seem to suggest that this is the better long-term option.
• Include jars with labels to be washed. The glue on the labels can come off in the wash cycle and gum up the dishwasher's inner workings.
• Clean wooden utensils or serving pieces this way. It will dry them out and cause them to crack.
• Place anything that is made of or features metal—gold, brass, silver, pewter—in the dishwasher, lest you want it to come out pitted and faded.
• Feel guilty about running the dishwasher when you're trying to save water or live green. The dishwasher actually uses less water than hand washing the dishes.

What are some of your tricks and tips when it comes to using your dishwasher?