For anyone staring down a pile of hand-wash-only clutter at the sink, a simple question is fueling debate online: How much of it really needs to be scrubbed by hand?
That was the idea behind a lively Reddit discussion in which users argued that the dishwasher many people reserve for plates and cups can handle much more, from kids' toys to cutlery organizers — though not without some important caveats.
Here's what to know
The conversation started in a Reddit thread on r/CleaningTips, where the OP said the tip was both a cleaning hack and a mindset shift.
"You can put nearly anything you want in the dishwasher and run it as many times as you like: pots & pans, plastic bins & baskets, cutlery organizers, kids toys etc.," the OP said. "Make things easy for yourself."
Some replies pushed that logic well beyond standard kitchen items.
One commenter said, "I used to put my old IBM Model M keyboards in the dishwasher. You just had to let them sit out for a couple days until you were 100% sure they were dry before plugging them back in. It worked a treat, though: they came out squeaky clean!"
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Other users highlighted more ordinary household items, suggesting that things like toothbrush holders and stove vent-hood filters can be much easier to clean in the dishwasher than by scrubbing or soaking them in the sink.
More background
The enthusiasm came with plenty of pushback. Several users noted that using the dishwasher as a catch-all solution can leave some items warped, dulled, or otherwise damaged.
One user said, "While you absolutely can put whatever your heart desires into your dishwasher — some things might get extremely damaged and unusable."
Plastic was a recurring concern in the thread.
Another user shared a more specific warning: "I do find that it disfigures some plastic stuff, so I have to be careful with things like lids or they won't fit anymore."
Metal bakeware also drew warnings.
One user explained, "Better not run Nordic Ware aluminum cake pans through it, or most other aluminum cake pans. They look like oil slicks when they come out and have black residue on them."
Where can I learn more?
The Reddit debate points to a bigger question: what dishwashers actually do well — and what can go wrong when you push them too far. These stories cover common mistakes, expert loading advice, filter cleaning, microplastics from washing plastics, and habits that can shorten a machine's life.
• A few common dishwasher mistakes can quietly drive up water and power bills.
• A real-life dishwasher scientist says small loading tweaks can make every cycle work harder.
• Cleaning your dishwasher filter regularly can cut energy use and improve performance.
• Scientists warn washing plastic in dishwashers may shed microplastics into water and homes.
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