Even if you use
cleaning services, you still have to wash the dishes throughout the week. It might be time consuming, but it's not too bad, and if you have a dishwasher, it's especially easy. Wouldn't it be nice if you could put other things in the dishwasher to get clean, too?
Good news: you can! Okay, you can't throw everything in there, but you can use the dishwasher to clean and disinfect quite a few things around your house. Here are our five favorites:
1. Light Fixtures. The glass globes and sconces on your light fixtures have a tendency to collect massive amounts of dust, and even if you clean them, they will eventually begin to discolor. You can slow this process down by occasionally running them on the top rack of your dishwasher.
2. Plastic Toys. If you have a teething ring covered in baby slobber or a G.I. Joe who has had too many tours of duty in the backyard, it's okay to wash and disinfect them in the dishwasher. A dishwasher basket is affordable and handy for this as it keeps them all together and allows you to wash them on the top rack.
3. Plastic Hairbrushes. When you start to think about the abuse your hairbrush experiences—yikes. How often do you clean it? Sure, you pull hair out and throw it away, but what about an actual cleaning? Time for the dishwasher! Just make sure it's as clean as possible before you put it through a cycle.
4. Sponges and Cleaning Brushes. Sponges are known to grow bacteria in no time at all—unfortunately, anything you use in your kitchen to clean is going to harbor some germs. Once a day, throw your sponges and brushes in the dishwasher and run them through a normal cycle. They'll come out clean and germ free!
5. Toothbrushes. If you've ever boiled your toothbrush to get rid of germs, this tip is made for you. If you haven't, well; this tip might be for you, too! Toothbrushes can be safely washed in the dishwasher, preferably in a basket on the top shelf to keep the bristles undamaged. The peace of mind is more than worth it.
