GREENSBORO, N.C. — How do you do the dishes? Is it in the sink by hand or do you let the dishwasher do the dirty work?
According to Consumer Reports, any dishwasher sold since 2013 is required to use no more than five gallons of water to wash a load of dishes. Older washers use about 10 gallons. Washing by hand, with the faucet running, can total up to 22 gallons of water.
Using the dishwasher has not only become more convenient over the years, it's become better for the environment. But that doesn't mean everything belongs in the dishwasher.
"There are some items that can really get ruined inside a dishwasher over time," said Molly Bradley, Consumer Reports.
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT IN THE DISHWASHER
#1 Cast Iron pans. The process can strip the seasoning and leave you with a rusty skillet.
#2 Copper pots, Moscow mule cups, and aluminum cookware like cake pans and cookie trays.
"The hot water and harsh detergents can discolor and tarnish copper and aluminum and dull their shine," said Bradley.
#3 Nonstick pans. Many nonstick pans have a dishwasher-safe logo on them, but the dishwasher detergent paired with hot water can ruin the nonstick coating over time.
#4 Knives for slicing and dicing. These kitchen utensils can cost a lot of money, and they too need to stay out of the dishwasher.
"The handles can start to separate over time and they can get knocked around— which can dull the blade," said Bradley.
#5 Wooden items. If you use wooden spoons and cutting boards, don't put them in the dishwasher they can get warped or cracked when they are put into the dishwasher over and over.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN WOODEN ITEMS?
If you use wooden items with raw meat, poultry, or seafood, Consumer Reports suggests disinfecting them every few months with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.