What Not To Put In The Dishwasher

The dishwasher has come a long way since socialite Josephine Cochran patented the first dishwasher design in 1886. Today, the dishwasher is a time-saving appliance that many of us can't live without. (And the rest of us covet.) But before you start stacking those dirty dishes, learn what three kitchen staples should be cleaned the old-fashioned way...and why.

Knives. While most knives are labeled dishwasher-safe, knives can dull while knocking against each other in the flatware basket. Additionally, harsh detergents can leave scratches. A gentle cleaning with a sponge will save you the cost of constantly replacing cutlery.

Glass Baking Dishes. If the glass gets scratched while in the dishwasher, you might be in for an exciting twist on dinnertime. Basically, scratched glass is more likely to shatter suddenly during the baking process. Stylelist Home's editor Brie Dyas has experienced this first-hand...and trust us, you don't want to have to clean up a mess of that proportion.

Wooden Cutting Board. Wooden cutting boards, or anything made out of wood, can easily dry out from the dishwasher's heat and steam. Eventually, it'll just split. You may think that a cutting board is still usable with a few cracks here and there, but also think about bacteria living between uncleanable crevices. That's right, it's time to throw it out.

Do you know of any other surprising kitchenware that should avoid the rinse cycle? Let us know in the comments below!