Is It Dishwasher Safe? Symbols, Meanings, and Care Guide

What can you put in the dishwasher? It is a common question, the last thing you want to do is wash up a mountain of pots and pans by hand. But a dishwasher may be too powerful for some of your kitchen favorite items. You put the wrong thing in and it could come out warped, or completely ruined.

Don't worry, we've all gambled with a favourite container and regretted it. Luckily, achieving a brilliant clean doesn't require guesswork if you know how to decode your dishes. Just follow these guidelines before you throw everything but the kitchen sink into your machine.

Quick summary: What can and cannot go in the dishwasher

What can go in the dishwasher?

With a little bit of know-how and the right choice of dishwasher tablets, you can clean an absolute mountain of things in your machine. Glassware of all kinds will come out sparkling and spotless.

Burnt-on pots and pans easy! Send in the soiled cutlery. How about stainless steel ? The dishwasher is the answer.

It is tough enough for stained coffee cups, yet gentle enough for baby items . Choose the best dishwasher tablets (Fairy Platinum Plus cough cough) and your dishwasher will deliver shining results, cycle after cycle.

What does the dishwasher safe symbol look like?

Unfortunately, there isn’t one single, universal stamp used by every manufacturer in the UK. Some items have the words ‘dishwasher safe’ written on them. However, understanding the standard dishwasher safe symbol meaning doesn't require a science degree.

Here are the most common variations you will spot on your cookware:

1. The standard square box: This icon features a square enclosing a few plates or wine glasses. It means the item is completely fine to undergo a normal machine cycle.

1. The water droplet icon: This design shows a square with vertical lines or droplets raining down. It indicates the item can handle automated water pressure safely.

1. The top-rack only sign: If the water droplets or lines are only hitting the top shelf of the illustrated dishes, it means the item must strictly stay on the top rack to avoid intense heat.

Remember just because it fits in the machine doesn't mean it belongs there. While the vast majority of your kitchenware is perfectly dishwasher-safe, certain items need a little extra TLC and a strict "hand-wash only" routine.

To keep your favorite kitchen items in pristine condition, here is exactly what you should keep out of the dishwasher:

The complete guide to what can and cannot go in a dishwasher

Navigating what belongs in your machine appliance can feel like a bit of a minefield. To help you sort your items like a pro, let's break down the rules for the most common household kitchenware items.

Can plastics go in the dishwasher?

Many plastics can go into the machine, but you must follow a basic dishwasher safe plastic guide to avoid an accidental meltdown. Flip the container over and check the little recycling triangle on the bottom. Plastics stamped with number 2 (HDPE) or number 5 (PP) are highly durable and machine-safe.

However, number 1 (PET) plastics will warp instantly under heat and should go into the recycling bin instead.

If you’re still unsure, here are some common types of plastic, and how suitable they are for dishwashing.

1. Reusable plastic bottles: Your favorite gym water bottle, if it is marked as reusable it should be safe to go into the dishwasher.

1. Tableware and plastic cutlery: Your picnic plates and cutlery, plastic chopping boards should all be made of dishwasher safe plastic. You can enjoy that picnic in peace.

1. Baby bottles: Baby bottles should be dishwasher safe however we would recommend hand washing the more delicate items like the silicone nipple

1. Disposable Plastics: Food containers or non-reusable water bottles are not dishwasher safe, they are generally made with plastic not designed for the heat of a dishwasher meaning they will melt or warp and become unusable and could be harmful to your health.

No matter how sturdy the plastic feels, always keep it on the top rack away from the bottom heating element.

Can travel mugs go in the dishwasher?

It is one of the most common questions asked by commuters or outdoor enthusiasts: can travel mugs go in the dishwasher? The short answer is that it completely depends on how the flask is constructed.

If your travel mug features vacuum insulation, putting it through a hot wash can permanently destroy the internal thermal seal. This leaves your flask completely useless at keeping your morning coffee warm. Unless your travel mug is explicitly stamped as machine-safe, it is much wiser to wash it by hand.

Will a dishwasher ruin a cast iron skillet?

Yes, putting a cast iron skillet in the dishwasher will ruin its seasoning and cause it to rust. While cast iron is incredibly durable on the stovetop, it requires completely different care than standard pots and pans.

Here is why you should never put cast iron in the dishwasher:

1. It strips the seasoning: Dishwasher detergents, high dishwasher temperatures, and intense water pressure strip away the seasoning layer of a cast-iron, this built-up layer of baked-on oil that gives your pan its natural, non-stick surface.

1. It Causes Rapid Rusting: The seasoning layer acts as a shield protecting the raw metal from oxygen. Once that barrier is stripped away, the prolonged exposure to water inside a dishwasher causes rapid oxidation, resulting in a rusty cast iron pan.

To properly clean a cast-iron pan without a dishwasher, stick to this simple hand-wash routine after every use:

1. Hand Wash Only: Clean the pan by hand using warm water and a stiff brush. Avoid dish soaps and detergents that break down oils.

1. Dry Immediately: Never let cast iron air dry. Wipe it down thoroughly with a towel, or place it over low heat on the stove for a few minutes to ensure all moisture has evaporated.

1. Oil After Use: While the pan is still warm, apply a very light layer of cooking oil (like vegetable) to the surface. Buff it with a paper towel to restore the protective seal.

What materials should never go in the dishwasher?

Beyond plastics and travel flasks, these items should also avoid a dishwasher clean:

1. Sharp Kitchen Knives: The high-velocity water and abrasive detergents blunt the fine cutting edges over time, while heat can warp or loosen the handles.

1. Aluminum Cookware: Uncoated aluminum reacts chemically with dishwasher detergent, causing it to oxidize, discolor, and turn a dull grey.

1. Delicate Crystal & China: The intense heat and vibrating cycles can chip delicate crystal or wear away hand-painted gold leaf detailing on vintage china.

1. Wooden chopping boards: Should never go into the machine. The intense heat causes wood to crack and split.

1. Non-stick pans: Can become less effective, the high temperature in a dishwasher can wear the non-stick coatings. We recommend washing by hand if you're unsure if your non-stick pan is dishwasher safe.

1. DIY dishware, handmade ceramics or silver items: are precious, don’t risk them in the dishwasher.

Protect your kitchenware with premium cleaning power

Once you’ve sorted your load by checking those dishwasher-safe symbols, you need a detergent that actually respects your kitchenware. There is nothing worse than waiting out a long cycle only to pull out cloudy glasses and scratched plates.

That’s where Fairy 30 Minute Miracle Tablets step in. Delivering a brilliant, effortless shine even on a speedy short cycle. By upgrading to a premium formula like Fairy, you can prevent the frustrating film and cloudiness that people often mistake for permanent glassware damage.