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20 Unexpected Things You Can Clean in the Dishwasher

By Kelly McGovern

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Concierge International MA #9535680 RI#REB0019277

November 15, 2025 06:00 AM

Your dishwasher can clean far more than just your dirty dishes and silverware!

The dishwasher really is a game-changer. Hand-washing dishes is a chore most of us wouldn’t miss, and using a dishwasher not only saves time but also uses less water. Imagine applying those same time- and water-saving principles to cleaning things other than dishes.

Despite its name, the dishwasher can clean far more than just dishes. From sponges to baseball caps, plenty of household items can be tossed in—either with your plates and mugs or on their own—and come out looking almost brand new.

Here is a list of unexpected items to clean using the dishwasher:

Toothbrushes holders
Sponges
Vases
Glass Covered Light Fixtures
Soap Dishes
Vacuum attachments
Plastic Hairbrushes
Dustpan and dust broom
Metal or Plastic Floor Registers
Silicone Baking Mats
Flowerpots
Pacifiers and Teething Rings
Baseball Caps
Golf Balls
Gardening Tools
Flips Flops
Microwave Turntables
Pet Toys
Children's Toys
Rubber Floor Mats

Clean your space, clean your mind!

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Comments(12)

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Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kelly. I discovered this a long time ago and use my dishwasher to clean and sterilize all sorts of things... except for golf balls, pacifiers, kids toys, baseball caps (none of those in our house). :)))

Nov 15, 2025 06:28 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

I've never had pacifiers or kid's toys in my household, but I had a bunch of friends who did, and I saw them do this often! Nina Hollander, Broker

Nov 16, 2025 08:10 AM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kelly, I guess I knew of some of these things but would never figure vacuum attachments, that a good one or my gold balls.

Nov 15, 2025 07:48 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Will Hamm I learned the vacuum attachment idea from the one and only, Martha Stewart!

Nov 16, 2025 08:11 AM

GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore

Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ

Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Good to know these tips, Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your weekend! Bill

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Nov 15, 2025 10:08 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Love this, Kelly! Who knew a dishwasher could do so much more than dishes? Great tips for saving time and keeping a home truly fresh—definitely a game-changer for busy homeowners.

Nov 15, 2025 10:14 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 Some of these ideas are better than handwashing because it's so tough to get in the nooks and crannies!

Nov 16, 2025 08:11 AM

John Pusa

Glendale, CA

Hello Kelly McGovern these are very good list of things to clean in the dishwasher. Have a good weekend!

Nov 15, 2025 11:01 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Thanks, John Pusa

Nov 16, 2025 08:12 AM

Dennis Neal

Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA

Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

Hi Kelly, that is an incredibly practical list of unexpected items to clean in the dishwasher! These kinds of cleaning shortcuts are especially valuable for sellers getting ready for a listing. The tip on cleaning floor registers and vacuum attachments is excellent for preparing a Big Bear cabin for staging, helping eliminate dust and giving the home a genuinely "clean" smell.

Nov 15, 2025 12:16 PM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Dennis Neal I can't take the credit for the vacuum attachments and floor registers - I got those ideas from the infamous Martha Stewart!

Nov 16, 2025 08:15 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Kelly,

The dishwasher is an amazing appliance and can clean so many things! I've often used it to clean many things on the list but see the list is endless!

Nov 15, 2025 12:46 PM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

I'm sure there are a bunch more! Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Nov 16, 2025 08:16 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kelly McGovern I am a golfer but had not thought of using the dishwasher to clean my golf balls. Thank you for the suggestion.

Nov 15, 2025 01:05 PM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

George Souto I have done this! Works great!

Nov 16, 2025 08:16 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Kelly

I love using a dishwasher for cleaning items, though I don't think I've washed a baseball cap in it.

Nov 15, 2025 02:04 PM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

I did wash a cap in the dishwasher, Kathy Streib It works better than if I threw it in the washing machine. That's for sure.

Nov 16, 2025 08:17 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kelly - good information. Rinse and Repeat. Many sorts of chores can improve through observation and implication of things operating around us. And sometimes learned from such things that can go askew as well.

Nov 16, 2025 03:48 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Michael Jacobs Very true. Trial and error for the win (or loss)

Nov 16, 2025 08:18 AM

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, I might have to try to clean my flip flops next time in the dishwasher, haha. I don't even use mine, but I run it monthly to keep it working properly, haha.

Nov 16, 2025 05:35 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

Brian England I love the dishwasher, and I loathe hand washing dishes. It's a must for me.

Nov 16, 2025 08:19 AM

Lew Corcoran

Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA

Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

I never thought a dishwasher could pull off so many clever tricks, Kelly McGovern, and this list really opened my eyes 🙂. Thanks for sharing such practical, time-saving ideas that make everyday life feel a little lighter and more doable!

Nov 16, 2025 10:22 AM