Aluminum is usually dishwasher-safe, but minerals in the water might cause spots or darkening. To remove those, scour with a soap-filled steel wool pad.
China, crystal, and stoneware are mostly safe, but if the pieces are hand-painted or fragile, wash them by hand. It’s also better to hand-wash glasses or dishes with gold leaf.
Milk-glass items might yellow after repeated washings in the dishwasher.
Plastic items vary in their ability to withstand heat and detergents, so check whether they’re dishwasher-safe and make sure to place them on the top rack—away from the heating element—and don’t select cycles that use higher wash or dry temperatures.
Stainless steel and silver are generally okay to put in the dishwasher, but make sure you run your rinse cycle if you’re not running the wash cycle immediately, because prolonged contact with food can damage their finish.
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