Key Takeaways:
- Dishwasher manufacturers don’t recommend washing clothes in dishwasher
- You can wash baseball cap, shoes, sports gear in dishwasher.
- You can do laundry without washing machine.
- Your clothes will not undergo rinse cycle and still have bubbly water.
Have you ever thought about washing your dishes in a washing machine? The idea sounds totally absurd and doesn’t even make sense to all of us who have been launder-ing most of their life. Well, I, for one, don’t understand the clothes-in-dishwasher.
If it were the case, maybe the manufacturers would have allowed the two-in-one i.e., Dishwasher and washing machine. Better yet, most of us don’t even opt for two-in-one washing machine and dryer. The reason being different make of the machine body.
Still, some are confused as to can you wash clothes in a dishwasher?
I mean, both require detergent, have different modes, help remove hard stains, allow hot and cold wash options, etc. then why not can we opt for dishwasher as a washing machine? What’s the big deal?
In this article we will talk about
- All the reasons to NOT wash clothes in a dishwasher,
- Can you do laundry without a washing machine?
- Surprising things you can put in the dishwasher
Let’s get started.
All The Reasons To NOT Wash Clothes In A Dishwasher
It can get tough to wash by hands when your washing machine is down or you don’t own one for whatever reason. But choosing a dishwasher instead of washing by hand is no option. Here is a list of reasons you should never try washing clothes in a dishwasher.
1. Not Enough Water To Soak The Clothes
This is one of the most important points to consider while doing laundry- there should be enough water to soak all your clothes.
In the case of handwashing, we can control the amount of water being used as per the number of clothes. But in a dishwasher, there is a set amount of water being used which is not enough to soak all your clothes.
2. The Water Direction
You might see that when we put our clothes in a washing machine, close the lid, the water comes from the top. The reason being the water pouring down on all the clothes. There are no holes but a shower that showers water on all the clothes.
Whereas in dishwasher, we are talking about tiny holes in the base that throws water upward. If you put your clothes in a way that water comes from the bottom, there is no guarantee that water will reach all. Instead, a few pieces will still have hard stains.
3. No Hot Water Option In A Dishwasher
Most of the time, hot water is required to remove tough stains from the clothes. But since there is no hot water option in a dishwasher, you can’t use it for that purpose.
You might argue that there are dishwashers that allow hot water option. But the temperature is different. For dishwasher, we are talking about 60 degrees and in case of washing machine, it will be 54.5 degrees.
4. Can’t Use Bleach Or Fabric Softener In A Dishwasher
As we all know, bleach is used to remove tough stains and fabric softener makes the clothes softer. But since you can’t use them in a dishwasher, it’s better to not use them for laundry purposes.
The manufacturing of dishwasher is a different from washing machine. So, if you put a detergent with softener, there will a bit of mix-up and your clothes will come out all smelly.
5. Clothes Come Out wrinkled From A Dishwasher
Since there is no option to select the spin cycle in a dishwasher, the clothes come out all wrinkled and un-ironed. Moreover, there is a prominent chance of getting tangled and damaged clothes.
Can You Do Laundry Without A Washing Machine?
There’s no question as to whether can you do laundry without a washing machine. How do you think people washed their clothes before washing machines were made? Someone from above came down with a special potion to put a shine on stained clothes. Definitely not.
Washing by hand was a ritual among wives and ladies of the house. The ladies would wash the clothes of the family in big tubs. They would usually have their own personal maid to help with domestic tasks and one of these was washing clothes.
Clothes were soaked in a mixture of water and ashes which would remove most of the dirt. Then they were placed in a tub of boiling water to disinfect them and remove any remaining dirt. After that, they were rinsed in cold water and then hung to dry.
With the invention of washing machines, laundry became a lot easier. Washing machines come in different types and sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. You can either go for a top loading or front-loading machine.
Top loading machines are cheaper and require less water, but they are not as effective as the other ones. Front loading machines may be more expensive, but they use less energy and water. If you want to save money on your utility bills, then a front-loading machine is the way to go.
If you don’t have a washing machine, you can still wash your clothes by hand. This may take a bit more time and effort, but it will get the job done.
Here’s how you can do it.
- Fill a tub or basin with water. You can use hot, warm, or cold water, depending on the fabric of the clothing items.
- Add detergent to the water and mix it in well.
- Place the clothing items in the tub or basin and let them soak for a few minutes.
- Rub the clothing items gently to remove any dirt or stains.
- Rinse the clothing items thoroughly in clean water.
- Hang the clothing items to dry.
Washing clothes by hand is a bit more time-consuming than using a washing machine, but it can be just as effective. So, if you don’t have a washing machine, there’s no need to worry. You can still get your clothes clean without one.
Surprising Things You Can Put In The Dishwasher
Surprisingly enough, there are things (accessories) that you can put in your dishwasher. There is no promise that your dishwasher won’t face casualties or shining outcome.
On one hand, washing clothes in dishwasher can void warranty, there are also claims of damaging clothes. But the below mentioned accessories are few things that are said to show considerable results. Because why not?
1. Washing Shoes
That sounds a bit gross to spit where you eat. That’s not the literal meaning of washing shoes in your dishwasher but you can only do it if you have two.
The reason? Why would someone wash the dirt off of their shoes in the same place they wash dishes? Yukh. Okay, here are a few reasons why you should never opt for washing shoes in a dishwasher,
- Shoes literally carry the worst bacteria in the world.
- Your shoes laces might get tied up in the machine or base roller.
- The heat from the dishwasher can soften the glue on the sole. This entity will lead to damage to the shoes by separating the upper part of the shoes from the lower part.
Let’s move ahead to the solution.
If you want to wash your shoes without damaging them, the best way is to separate the shoe from the laces and dip them in hot water with baking soda. This will soften the hard stains. Now you can either put them in your washing machine or wash them by hands by scrubbing.
Though the latter will take more time but if done right, your champs will shine bright like a diamond (in Rihanna’s voice).
2. Baseball Caps
That’s a good accessory to wash in the dishwasher but also doesn’t promise shining results. Here’s how you can still wash your baseball caps after a home-run and sweat aiming for the win.
- Take the baseball cap and soak it in warm water for a few minutes. This will help loosen any dirt or grime on the surface of the cap.
- Place the baseball cap in the top rack of your dishwasher. Add a small amount of mild detergent to the dishwasher.
- Run the dishwasher on a gentle cycle.
- Remove the baseball cap from the dishwasher and allow it to air dry.
- If your baseball cap is still dirty, repeat steps 1-4 until the cap is clean.
How to clean a baseball cap by hand?
- Fill a sink or basin with warm water and add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Submerge the baseball cap in the water and let it soak for a few minutes.
- Use your hands to scrub the surface of the cap, paying special attention to any areas that are particularly dirty.
- Rinse the baseball cap thoroughly with clean water.
- Allow the baseball cap to air dry.
- If your baseball cap is still dirty, repeat steps 2-5 until the cap is clean.
Cleaning a baseball cap is easy, whether you choose to do it by hand or in the dishwasher. Follow the steps above to get your baseball cap looking clean and new in no time!
3. Sports Gear
If you have a top rack, stable enough to withstand a knee pad and shin guards soaked in water, the dishwasher is the way to go. Nevertheless, you should know that nothing beats sweat washed by hand. We don’t promise no unpleasant smells.
After all, dishwashers are made to wash dishes and glassware only, not sports gear. Still, if you are dead set on using the dishwasher, just make sure to put your gear on the top rack only and use the delicate cycle.
