'I'm a cleaning expert – never put these items in dishwasher or face the consequences'

A cleaning expert has warned that there are things you should avoid putting into your dishwasher – and if don't heed her warning, you'll face some serious consequences

If you've got a dishwasher, you may have grown very reliant on it.

They efficiently clean your dirty pots and pans, meaning you don't have to stand over a sink every evening, scrubbing away at the dishes. But according to Lynsey Crombie, aka Lynsey Queen of Clean, there are some things you should never put in the dishwasher – otherwise, you'll face consequences that are less than ideal.

"While the dishwasher can be a time-saving cleaning tool, there are certain items that should never be placed inside. High heat and water pressure can cause damage, discolouration, or reduce the effectiveness of some materials," she warned.

She said trainers and sharp knives should never be put into the dishwasher, but why? "Trainers, for instance, may have their glue melt, while sharp knives will lose their edge," she shared.

"To avoid damaging your favourite items, it’s important to know what belongs in the dishwasher and what’s better off cleaned by hand. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your kitchenware and household items last longer!"

Wooden items can also "warp or crack under intense heat", so she said it's best to also hand wash those if you can. Cast iron and crystal items can also "can lose protective layers or chip" if placed in the dishwasher.

Thankfully, it's not all bad news, as there are some unexpected items you can put into the dishwasher to give a thorough clean. Lynsey shared the following:

1. Flip Flops – Place upside down to avoid water pooling, allowing a thorough clean.
2. Caps – Top shelf placement helps maintain their shape while washing them gently.
3. Kids' Toys – Large plastic toys like Lego bricks and dinosaurs are easily cleaned in the top rack.
4. Bath Toys – Keep those rubber ducks squeaky clean.
5. Baby Bottles & Dummies – Safely sterilise them in your dishwasher
6. Dishcloths & Sponges – A great way to disinfect them for further use.
7. Makeup Brushes – Brushes with plastic handles fit neatly into the cutlery rack.

You can also pop in your ceramic plates, bowls and glassware, but you should take care to "separate glass and mugs to prevent scratching."

Cutlery can also be placed into the dishwasher, with "knives facing downward for safety" - and also, "plastic children's dishes are dishwasher safe too".

If you're in need of an all-purpose spray to get things clean out of the dishwasher, Lynsey also recommends making your own.

If you're in need of an all-purpose spray, you should try making "your own citrus all-purpose cleaning spray". She continued: "This is so easy to make and smells wonderful.

"Use left-over lemon and orange peel, pop them in a jar of half water and half white vinegar and let it sit for a few weeks, remove the peels, pop them into a spray bottle with a few drops of cinnamon essential oil for a lovely autumnal smell."

Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean is the UK's No1 home expert and TV presenter. Lynsey's best-selling book 'The 15 Minute Clean' is available to buy from AMAZON.