Dishwasher safe
What it looks like
A square box with plates or glasses inside and water droplets or diagonal spray lines falling on them. A variant shows the items on the top shelf only.
What it means
A dishwasher is a harsher environment than a sink: water around 55–70 °C, high-alkalinity detergent and a long soak. Aluminium oxidises and goes dull grey, cast iron loses its seasoning and rusts, wooden handles split, and hand-painted or gilded decoration comes off the glaze. The top-rack-only variant exists because the heating element sits at the bottom, where plastics closest to it distort. Nothing about the symbol implies the item is heat-proof in general — many dishwasher-safe plastics are not oven-safe at all.
Defined by Manufacturer declaration. Where a symbol differs between standards, the difference is described above rather than resolved — both versions are in circulation on real labels.
Other cookware and containers symbols
| Symbol | Means |
|---|---|
| Microwave safe | The maker states the material is suitable for heating food in a microwave. |
| Do not microwave | Do not heat this container in a microwave. |
| Not dishwasher safe — hand wash only | Wash this by hand. |
| Oven safe | The item can go in a conventional oven, up to the stated temperature if one is given. |
| Not oven safe | Do not put this in a conventional oven. |
| Freezer safe | The container can be used in a freezer without cracking or failing. |
| Induction compatible | The pan has a ferromagnetic base and will work on an induction hob. |
| BPA free | The item contains no bisphenol A. It is a marketing claim, not a certification. |
| Do not use metal utensils | Use wood, silicone or nylon tools with this surface. |
Common questions
- What does the dishwasher safe symbol mean?
- The item survives a normal dishwasher cycle. Some versions specify the top rack only.
- What does it look like?
- A square box with plates or glasses inside and water droplets or diagonal spray lines falling on them. A variant shows the items on the top shelf only.
Related pages
- Not dishwasher safe — hand wash only Wash this by hand.
- Oven safe The item can go in a conventional oven, up to the stated temperature if one is given.
- Plastic 5 — PP (polypropylene) Polypropylene — yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, takeaway containers, bottle caps, microwave dishes, kettles.
- Microwave safe The maker states the material is suitable for heating food in a microwave.
- Do not microwave Do not heat this container in a microwave.
- Not dishwasher safe — hand wash only Wash this by hand.
- Oven safe The item can go in a conventional oven, up to the stated temperature if one is given.
- Not oven safe Do not put this in a conventional oven.
- Freezer safe The container can be used in a freezer without cracking or failing.
- Induction compatible The pan has a ferromagnetic base and will work on an induction hob.
- BPA free The item contains no bisphenol A. It is a marketing claim, not a certification.
- Do not use metal utensils Use wood, silicone or nylon tools with this surface.
Sources
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place