Mesh Laundry Bags Aren’t Just for Clothes
There’s a simple way to solve this common problem: Use a mesh laundry bag. Gather all of the small items in need of cleaning — such as water bottle lids, reusable straws, measuring spoons, snack-sized food storage containers, and Mason jar lid rings — and pop them in the mesh laundry bag. Zip it closed and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Then, run the dishwashing cycle as usual.
Your items will likely still be damp when the cycle finishes, so you’ll need to air- or towel-dry them. You’ll also want to hang the mesh laundry bag to dry, and it’s a good idea to crack open the dishwasher door to allow moisture to escape.
You can use this method to clean a surprising number of items that aren’t dishes, too, such as hard plastic or silicone kids’ toys, dish sponges, or silicone gaskets. (Just keep in mind that you might need to clean the dishwasher filter after washing these items, as they can leave behind debris.)
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Bonus Hack: Clean Your Dishwasher the Easy Way
Dishwashers need regular cleaning to operate at their best. First, empty any dishes, remove the filter, and rinse away built-up gunk. Reinsert the filter, then place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle without dishwasher detergent. Afterward, wipe down any remaining grime in the tub, which the hot water and vinegar will have loosened.
And remember: Always load your dishwasher from back to front — placing larger items like dinner plates toward the back and smaller items up front — for the most efficient cleaning.
