Experts reveal the common item that's too risky to hand wash and should only ever go in the dishwasher

When it comes to keeping glassware and tableware in top condition, it's easy to assume hand washing is the best option.

However, there is one item experts agree should only be cleaned in the dishwasher, not just for best results, but also safety: wine glasses.

According to Maximilian Riedel, the CEO and president of glassware manufacturer Riedel, too much can go wrong when we wash them ourselves.

"A well-maintained dishwasher eliminates the two greatest threats to stemware: human pressure and accidental impact," Riedel told The Spruce.

"When placed securely and washed with a gentle cycle, the glass experiences no twisting, no sudden temperature shock, and no risk of colliding with a faucet or sink wall."

Corkscrew Wine Bar owner and sommelier, Lauren Cook, agrees, "I've broken more washing by hand than in the dishwasher."

Both experts have also found dishwashers to be the more hygienic option for cleaning wine glasses, as the appliance is able to produce hotter water temperature.

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The dishwasher is better at removing stains too, as the water spray can reach the entire inside of the glass unlike most human hands.

And the cleaner a wine glass is the better the wine drinking experience will be.

"Any cloudiness, soap residue or lingering scent can affect the aromas and flavour profiles of wine," Kaylin Ray, hospitality and guest experience manager at Willamette Valley Vineyards, told The Spruce.

"Since glass shape is designed to enhance aromatics and texture, maintaining perfectly clean, clear glassware is essential."

When stacking the dishwasher wine glasses must always go in the top rack, as the bottom rack is subjected to more intense washing.

A delicate cycle is best and, if you are really into wine and glassware, then glasses can be polished before putting them back in a cupboard.

For those who don't own a dishwasher and can only wash glasses by hand, the experts prefer using a separate cloth or soft sponge to their regular dish cloths.

Be careful when holding the glass while you wash as holding both the base and the bowl at the same time can lead to the stem breaking.

Polish and dry the glasses after washing instead of placing them on a drying rack as the metal can damage the rim.

It's not often you read about items that should only go in the dishwasher as there is a longer list of things that can't.

One of the top items that can't go in the dishwasher is wooden kitchenware and utensils like chopping boards and spoons.

This is because the high heat of the dishwasher can warp the wood and cause it to splinter, leading not only to physical damage but the potential for mould.

Chef knives also shouldn't go in the dishwasher as the heat and detergent can dull the blades.

Surprisingly, air fryer trays and baskets are another item that shouldn't go in the dishwasher, despite them being marketed as dishwasher safe.

"The non-stick coatings found on many air fryers are often made with PFAS – a group of widely used chemicals that are exceptionally resistant to oil, water, heat and stains, and give many forms of cookware their non-stick properties," Fiona Mair, home economist and test coordinator at Choice told 9honey Living.

"You may recognise the name of the specific PFAS used in cookware: PTFE (also known as Teflon). It is unclear if migration of PFAS chemicals in non-stick cookware into food causes harm to human health."

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