You may already know that dishwashers use less energy than hand-washing dishes, but did you know that they can be used for an assortment of other tasks, as well? Even if your dishwasher no longer functions for washing dishes, there are plenty of other jobs you can assign to this tireless kitchen worker.
For a perfectly operational dishwasher, try using it to wash things that take forever to wash by hand:
Your Mac keyboard. Follow the directions carefully to wash your very dirty Mac keyboard - but only when it’s really needed. Other types of keyboards may not fare as well, so beware.
Drip pans that sit under stove burners. If you go too long without cleaning these, they get black and crusty and impossible to clean. Wash them every week or two in the dishwasher to keep the grime from building up.
Light fixture globes. These can get unbelievably dirty and dusty. Empty out the dead bugs first, then run through the light cycle (no pun intended) in the dishwasher.
Vegetable/pan scrubbers. The brushes or scouring pads that you use to scrub vegetables and cast iron cookware can be popped into the dishwasher along with your utensils. They’ll come out looking like new.
Baby toys. Hard plastic toys can be easily disinfected with a trip through the dishwasher. Use your best judgment when doing this: toys with batteries or places where water can get trapped won’t do well in the dishwasher.
If your dishwasher is of the non-functioning variety, there are still plenty of ways to keep it out of the landfill. Use it as storage, a place to dry your dishes, an extension of your pantry, or a plant stand.
The best idea for a portable dishwasher: use the top as a surface for preparing cakes and other baked goods, and the inside for storing tools of the trade.
Do you have an unused dishwasher in your home? What do you do with it to make it earn its keep? Tell us in the comments below!