Your dishwasher may be one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, but chances are, you’re only using it for plates, cups, and cutlery. This kitchen staple can tackle way more than that, though. From bath toys to sports gear, a dishwasher can help clean a variety of household items that rarely get the attention they deserve — just be sure to check care instructions before loading them in.

Beauty and Personal Care Tools

Hairbrushes pick up more than just loose locks: Over time, hair products, natural oils, dust, and dead skin cells accumulate in them. If you want to clean them in the dishwasher, start by pulling out any trapped hair and clearing debris from the bristles, then pop them in the top rack. (Never put brushes with wooden handles or natural bristles in the dishwasher, though, since the heat and moisture can damage them.) 

Other personal care items like metal manicure tools can go through a dishwasher cycle in the utensil section to help remove buildup and everyday grime. Dry them thoroughly to prevent rusting. 

Lastly, the reservoir of your water flosser may also be safe to clean in the dishwasher. Since they’re constantly exposed to moisture, they can accumulate mineral deposits over time. The New York Times advises sticking them on the top rack of your dishwasher, removing them before the heated drying cycle, and allowing them to air-dry completely before reassembling the device.

Baseball Caps

A sweaty, dirty baseball cap doesn’t always require a run in the washing machine. In fact, the dishwasher can be a surprisingly good alternative: It will help clean away grime without flattening the hat. All you need to do is place it in the top rack in either a special plastic frame or on one of the prongs to hold it in place. You should avoid detergents with bleach or citric acid, and skip the heated-dry setting in favor of air-drying.

Cabinet Knobs and Handles

The hardware in your kitchen and bathroom is touched countless times throughout the day, making it a magnet for fingerprints, grime, and germs. Metal knobs, pulls, and handles — especially if they have grooves or crevices — can be refreshed in the dishwasher if they’re made of a dishwasher-safe metal or ceramic. Just place small pieces securely in a mesh bag or the utensil holder to prevent them from slipping through the racks.

Sports Equipment

Between practices, games, and time spent outdoors, sports equipment can accumulate plenty of sweat, dirt, and grime. According to Whirlpool, certain items — including shin guards, mouth guards, protective cups, and even golf balls — can often be cleaned in the dishwasher. Golf balls should be placed in a mesh bag or enclosed container on the top rack to keep them from rolling around during the wash cycle.

Light Fixtures

Certain nonporous home décor items, including vases, sturdy soap dishes, and light fixtures, can often be cleaned in the dishwasher. Glass light fixtures should be placed in the top rack far enough apart that they don’t rub together. Forgo the heated cycle, and make sure not to put them back in place until they’re completely dry. Whirlpool advises against putting antiques, hand-painted pieces, and anything with delicate finishes that may not withstand high heat in the dishwasher. 

Bath Toys and Kids’ Accessories

If you have grandkids, you know bath toys with small holes can get gross fast, since trapped water can lead to mold and mildew growth. If the bath toys you have are labeled dishwasher-safe, place them on the top rack and run a hot cycle to help remove buildup. Some small plastic baby items, including teething toys and pacifier holders, can often be cleaned the same way. But before placing them in the dishwasher, check the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure they don’t contain any electronic components.

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The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house — and for many of us, it’s also a den of expired, outdated, and unneeded items. Between the overstuffed junk drawer, overflowing utensil jars, and pantry staples from decades past, things accumulate fast. 

But unlike clutter you can shove behind a closet door, old or worn kitchen items actually work against you by making cooking harder or wasting your grocery budget. Whether you’re doing a full clean or just finally dealing with that one drawer (you can do it!), here are the kitchen items worth ditching today.

Dull, Warped, or Scratched Nonstick Pans

Nonstick coatings don’t last forever. If your pan is visibly scratched or flaking, has developed a warped bottom that wobbles on the burner, or was purchased more than five years ago, it’s time to toss it. Scratched coatings can end up in your food, and a warped pan won’t heat evenly — which means hot spots, food sticking, and frustration every time you use it. 

Expired Spices

When spices get old, the problem is not so much that they get dangerous but that they get flat. Some spices can last years, while others lose their oomph much more quickly. A good way to tell? Do a sniff test: If a spice doesn’t have a strong, immediate aroma, it’s past its prime and you’re essentially seasoning with dust. Ground spices generally last a  year, and experts suggest using whole spices within two. 

Any Food Storage Container With Stains, Cracks, or No Match

The container cabinet may be the most daunting of all areas when it comes to purging — which is exactly why you need to get in there, stat. Cracked or deeply scratched plastic can harbor bacteria; staining and lingering odors may also be signs of bacteria. Texture means that the material has degraded and needs to go. Also look for anything where the lid no longer seals correctly, and anything that doesn’t have a match.

Quick tip: Before you toss a glass container that’s missing a lid, check to see if the company offers or sells replacement lids.

The Knife You Never Sharpen (and Never Use)

Most home cooks use only two or three knives regularly, which means that giant knife block full of blades is taking up valuable counter real estate. Toss or donate anything that’s rusted or chipped, or that you haven’t reached for in the past year. (Don’t just toss them in the garbage, though; wrap them in paper or cloth and secure them in a box before putting them in the trash.) And if the knives you keep aren’t sharp, invest in a sharpener or take them to a professional — a dull knife is less effective and more dangerous than a sharp one.

Old Cutting Boards With Deep Grooves

Knife marks on a cutting board aren’t just cosmetic wear — they’re places where bacteria can hide, even after washing. Plastic boards with major scoring should be replaced entirely. Wooden boards can be sanded down and re-oiled if the grooves are minor, but if your board is badly scarred, warped, or has developed a persistent odor, it’s time for a new one. 

Expired Pantry Staples

Baking powder, baking soda, and yeast all have a shelf life, and using them past their prime is usually why baked goods don’t rise the way they should. To test baking powder, put a teaspoon in a bowl and pour in boiling water: It should bubble vigorously. Test baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice — if there’s no reaction, it’s dead. To tell if dried yeast is still good, add 1 teaspoon sugar to 1/4 cup warm water (approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Stir in an envelope of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) and let it sit for 10 minutes. Yeast that’s good to go will foam to the 1/2-cup mark. (And you can still use the test batch — just reduce the amount of liquid you’d normally add to the recipe by 1/4 cup.)

A Clogged or Gunky Can Opener

Manual can openers are breeding grounds for grime, and most people never clean them thoroughly enough (even though all it takes is a paper towel). If yours has rust or visible buildup along the cutting wheel, or it’s starting to slip and tear rather than cut cleanly, replace it. A clean, sharp can opener is genuinely one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that make a difference.

Old Takeout Menus and Junk Mail

Now is the time: Expired coupons, old to-go menus, mystery keys, and dead batteries have no business in your kitchen. Set a timer for 25 minutes and deal with it head on — your future self will thank you.

Dish Sponges and Brushes That Are Way Past Their Prime

Experts recommend that you should swap out your kitchen sponge every one to two weeks. While that may seem excessive for something that spends most of its time in hot, soapy water, kitchen sponges are bacteria traps. To extend the life of your sponges, try running them through a dishwasher with a dry cycle, or microwaving for one minute — according to the USDA, that will kill 99.9% of germs on your sponge. The Food Network recommends sanitizing your sponge daily, while the cleaning professionals at MaidPro suggest you should do so every two or three days. But no matter what, toss it once that one- to two-week window has passed. Dish brushes have a shelf life, too: If the bristles are flattened, fraying, or smelly, swap it out.

A little kitchen purge goes a long way. You’ll be amazed at how much more pleasant your counters and cabinets will feel once you’ve cleared out the expired, broken, and never-used nonsense. Your kitchen will probably be easier to navigate, too. Final tip: If you’re not sure whether something’s worth keeping, use the closet rule — if you haven’t used it in the past year and can’t name a specific upcoming use for it, it’s time to say goodbye. 

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