How to Tell If Item Is Dishwasher Safe

How to Tell If Something Is Dishwasher Safe

Not every item in your kitchen belongs in the dishwasher — but figuring out which ones are safe does not have to be guesswork. Here is a step-by-step guide to determining whether any item can go in the dishwasher safely.

Step 1: Check the Bottom for a Symbol

The first place to look is the bottom of the item. Most modern kitchenware has a dishwasher safe symbol stamped, printed, or embossed on the base.

• Dish or glass with water droplets: Dishwasher safe
• Same symbol with a top rack indicator: Top rack only
• Hand under running water: Hand wash only
• Crossed-out dishwasher symbol: Not dishwasher safe

If you see a clear dishwasher safe symbol, you can proceed with confidence. If you see a hand wash only symbol, do not put it in the dishwasher.

Step 2: Check the Packaging or Manufacturer Website

If there is no symbol on the item itself, check the original packaging or the manufacturer’s website. Most brands list care instructions for every product. Search the product name plus “dishwasher safe” to find the answer quickly.

Step 3: Identify the Material

If you cannot find a symbol or manufacturer guidance, the material of the item is your best guide:

• Stainless steel (single wall): Usually dishwasher safe
• Ceramic and porcelain (without metallic decoration): Usually dishwasher safe
• Glass (machine-made, everyday): Usually dishwasher safe
• BPA-free plastic (codes 2, 4, 5): Usually dishwasher safe on the top rack
• Silicone: Dishwasher safe
• Cast iron: Never dishwasher safe
• Wood: Never dishwasher safe
• Copper and brass: Never dishwasher safe
• Crystal: Never dishwasher safe
• Non-stick coated items: Hand wash recommended even if labeled dishwasher safe
• Items with gold, silver, or metallic decoration: Hand wash only
• Vacuum insulated items: Hand wash only

Step 4: Check the Plastic Recycling Code

For plastic items without a clear symbol, the recycling code on the bottom gives guidance:

• Codes 2, 4, 5: Generally dishwasher safe on the top rack
• Codes 1, 3, 6, 7: Not recommended for dishwasher use

Step 5: When in Doubt, Hand Wash

If you cannot find a symbol, cannot identify the material with certainty, or the item is valuable or irreplaceable, hand wash it. The risk of permanent damage is never worth the convenience of the dishwasher.

Special Cases to Watch For

• Items with glued parts: Dishwasher heat breaks down adhesives — hand wash
• Items with printed or painted decoration: Fades in the dishwasher — hand wash
• Antique or vintage items: Made before modern dishwasher-safe standards — hand wash
• Items labeled “dishwasher safe” but made of sensitive materials: The label means it will survive, not that it will last as long as hand-washed equivalents

Use the Right Detergent for Dishwasher Safe Items

Once you have confirmed an item is dishwasher safe, using a quality detergent protects it further. Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods clean effectively without being unnecessarily harsh, while BLUELAND Dishwasher Detergent Tablets offer a gentler natural formula for delicate dishwasher-safe items.

Quick Decision Guide

• Symbol present and says dishwasher safe → Go ahead
• Symbol says top rack only → Top rack only
• Symbol says hand wash → Hand wash
• No symbol, sensitive material → Hand wash
• No symbol, standard ceramic or glass → Probably fine, but hand wash if valuable