Your best cleaning tool is right under your nose. Dishwashers are not only a water- and energy-saver, but a timesaver also. Fortunately, they’re not just for cleaning dishes. There are numerous things you can clean by tossing them in the dishwasher. Here are some of the things you can clean in your dishwasher, saving yourself time and energy for other things.
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| SMALL PLASTIC TOYS: Germs can linger on toys for months. Disinfect them by putting them in a mesh lingerie bag on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Then just let the normal cycle run. |
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| FLIP-FLOPS: Hook dirty flip-flops into the top rack so they stay in place during high water pressure cycles. |
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| HAIRBRUSHES: Your hairbrush can hold almost 3,500 colonies of bacteria. Remove any stray hairs and drop your brush in the silverware holder for a thorough cleanse. Remember, only plastic brushes or combs should be washed this way. Wooden or boar-bristle brushes will be ruined. |
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| POTATOES: Making mashed potatoes for your next big potluck? Cut your preparation time and wash your spuds on a rinse-only cycle — no detergent! — on the top shelf. |
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| RAIN BOOTS: Yes, even rain boots deserve a good rinse once in a while. Remove the liners and lay them down horizontally. |
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| REFRIGERATOR SHELVES: Between leaking meat juices and spilled foods, your refrigerator can get really gross really fast. Instead of scrubbing every inch clean, throw those shelves in with your other dishes. |
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| PENHOLDERS: When it comes to cleaning, common desk items like penholders and trays for scrap paper often get overlooked. If they’re metal or plastic, toss them in your next dishwasher load. |
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| STOVE KNOBS: These are probably the last things you think of cleaning in your kitchen, but they can get dirty quickly. If they’re removable, throw them in the silverware holder. |
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| NAIL CLIPPERS AND TWEEZERS: Most cosmetic tools like nail clippers and tweezers are dishwasher safe. You can even wash plastic makeup brushes. |
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| RAZORS: Razors can get dirty from more than just hair. They also pick up the chemicals in your shaving cream and salts from the water. When you wash them in a dishwasher, use liquid detergent. Tablets can leave grit on the metal. |
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SPONGES: Putting sponges in a regular load on the “heated dry” setting, or the hottest cycle your dishwasher has, can kill 99.9% of germs. Since sponges can house 10 million bacteria per square inch, it’s definitely worth the wash.
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