Are plastic containers dishwasher safe?

Plastic containers are very convenient for everyday use: they're easy to store and transport food in, they're heat- and cold-resistant, and they're resistant to harsh household chemicals. Therefore, they should be dishwasher-safe. This is often true, but there are exceptions. Plastic containers should have a dishwasher-safe sticker on them.

Learning the notations

Typically, all care instructions for plastic containers are located on the front of the container. Turn the container over and look for one of the following symbols:

• The dishwasher has two shelves, the lower one holding two plates and a glass, and the upper one holding several cups.
• Two plates of the same size placed side by side on a rack in a dishwasher.
• A small and a large plate, towards which the dotted rays from the top of the image are directed.
• Several plates in water, onto which drops are directed from above.

If you find one of these symbols, it means that this item can be washed in a dishwasher. If one of these symbols is shown crossed out, it means that washing in a dishwasher is contraindicated. If no permitting or prohibiting signs are found, you will have to rely on the product material, information about which should be available in any case.

Caution! Polystyrene and PVC, labeled as PS and PVC respectively on packaging, are absolutely not suitable for dishwashers. When heated, these materials melt, releasing toxic substances.

However, dishes made from polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate, designated as PP and PET respectively, are dishwasher safe.

There are no markings on the container

Rarely, but sometimes plastic dishes truly don't have any markings. You'll have to assess the material yourself. Thick, resilient, durable plastic will likely withstand a machine wash without issue. This material is typically used to make:

• plastic containers for microwave;
• baking tins;
• ice cube trays;
• pencil holders;
• baskets for laundry, powder, etc.;
• toothbrush cups;
• soap dishes;
• flower pots;
• hard plastic toys (Lego construction sets);
• various filters.

If you're unsure whether plastic can withstand washing, try setting it to a delicate cycle and placing the item as high as possible in the dishwasher, away from the heating element. If you have a lot of small plastic items, it's best to place them in a laundry bag to prevent them from spilling.

Important! Washing disposable tableware, as well as plastic cake containers, etc., in a dishwasher is strictly prohibited.

Lids and handles

Sometimes, the main material of a product is dishwasher safe, but some of its components are not. For example, a frying pan with wooden handles or a stainless steel lid with a temperature sensor.

Do not allow items containing loose rubber bands, glued parts, and various stickers and labels to be loaded into the dishwasher container. They can clog dishwasher components, such as the filter.

Also, if the plastic item is small and lightweight, the water pressure can easily knock it off the shelf. To prevent this, use a special clamp or clothespin.

   

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