Should you wash your knives in the dishwasher or by hand?

Author: Prof. Ross Konopelski  |  Last update: Saturday, February 7, 2026

To get the most out of your knives, you should clean them by hand and always dry them well after washing. it is recommended to store them in a knife block or on a magnetic board to keep the blades sharp for a long time.

Is it better to wash knives by hand or dishwasher?

Experts say chef knives should always be hand washed. ``A dishwasher can be detrimental to the quality of your knife,'' she says... ``They are often too abrasive and based on the type of detergent used, the process can cause rust or corrosion.

What is the best way to wash knives?

Wash your knife with dish soap and hot water after each use. Rinse with clear water. Air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towels. Handle kitchen knives carefully by their handles; don't pile them into the sink or dishpan, but wash them one by one and rack them with handles up.

Why should you not leave knives in soapy dishwater?

It's bad for the knives. Dishwasher soap is a scouring agent, so it'll dull your knives. Plus it will cause rust, pitting and corrosion given enough time regardless of what steel your knife is made of.

Can I wash Henckel's knives in the dishwasher?

😉 While our knives are designed to be dishwasher safe for convenience, we always recommend handwashing to protect your blades from chips and premature dulling. 🧼 Shop Henckels: https://brnw.ch/21wOSLB.

Home Knife Care 1: Washing Up (Quantifying the Dishwasher effect)

What knives should not go in the dishwasher?

You probably don't love to be hot and wet; your knife doesn't either. “The high temperature and moisture of the dishwasher can seriously damage both the steel and the handle,” explains Moses. This is especially true if your blade is carbon steel (more likely to rust) or has a wood handle.

Why do knives rust in the dishwasher?

Cutlery is more susceptible to rusting when in a dishwasher because it remains in the water for longer than when hand washing. We'll go on to explain how this can be avoided however, and discuss how some cutlery types are better protected than others.

Does washing knives in the dishwasher dull them?

High-quality kitchen knives do not belong in the dishwasher.

Then you probably won't have your beautiful cutting tools for long. Although the damage is often not immediately visible, the dishwasher will dull your knives over time. The detergents in the machine attack the blades.

What cannot be washed in a dishwasher?

Dishwashers make kitchen cleanup fast and more efficient, but it's important to know which items are best washed by hand. While most everyday dishes are generally safe in the dishwasher, items like wood, certain pots and pans, crystal and china, and knives can be damaged by dishwasher detergent and high heat.

Should you put pots and pans in the dishwasher?

Be diligent with your cookware by always checking for dishwasher-safe markings before putting pots or pans through a dishwasher cycle. If an item hasn't been labeled as “dishwasher safe,” avoid potential damage to your cookware by hand washing.

How do professional chefs clean their knives?

Professional cutlery should only ever be cleaned by hand. Some knives will have specific instructions about cleaning, but in general, the only things you'll need are hot water, mild soap and a soft sponge.

Should knives be always washed in the dishwasher to get rid of bacteria?

Sharp cooking knives and especially high-quality table knives should probably not be in the dishwasher but are better cleaned by hand. In a dishwasher, the blades will become blunt due to the salt. If they have wooden handles, they could be loosened by the scalding hot water.

Why should you slice off a small bit of potato on the side before you begin your actual knife cuts?

Why should you slice off a small bit of potato on the side before you begin your actual knife cuts? REMEMBER, you need to square it off (Make a flat surface on one side by cutting a small piece off) this allows the potato to lay flat on the cutting board.

Is it better to use dishwasher or hand wash?

For most people, using a dishwasher is more energy-efficient than hand washing dishes because it uses less hot water. Is it cheaper to hand wash or use a dishwasher? In most households, the dishwasher uses less hot water than hand washing and is, therefore, a cheaper alternative to washing dishes by hand.

Should knives go up or down in the dishwasher?

Purchase a dishwasher knife rack: This will ensure that your knives are cleaned effectively and won't cause the same issues that stacking them in a single basket might. Always place your knives upside down: You should always put your knives blunt side up to avoid any accidents that could happen.

Why can't you use Dawn dish soap in dishwasher?

If you put dish soap in the dishwasher, it will likely create a thick foam of suds inside the dishwasher that may eventually spill out through the dishwasher door. Dish soap relies in part on suds and bubbles to get your dishes clean. Dishwasher detergent relies mostly on enzymes to clean your dishes, rather than suds.

Why can't stainless steel go in the dishwasher?

Technically, yes—stainless steel cookware can go in the dishwasher. But just because it can doesn't always mean it should. Certain types of stainless steel can become warped or corroded in the high-heat, high-pressure environment of the dishwasher, meaning you should hand wash.

Why shouldn't you put wood in the dishwasher?

When wood is exposed to such high heat and moisture during a long washing cycle – and then is left to dry – it can warp, splinter, and eventually break. Avoid ruining your expensive wooden cutting boards and opt to hand wash them instead.

Is it a myth to put silverware in the dishwasher?

In a harsh environment like a dishwasher, where conditions are hot and wet and full of caustic and abrasive cleaners, silver is at a relatively high risk for corroding, losing its finish, and picking up other blemishes.

Why do knife blades rust in dishwasher?

Metals can begin to rust when they come into contact with oxygen or water. This is a natural chemical reaction and does not mean that your appliance is faulty. Salty and acidic water can further speed up the corrosion process, causing your cutlery to rust quicker.

Can cutting boards go in the dishwasher?

The water, high temperatures and length of a dishwasher cycle can seriously damage your wood cutting boards. In order to avoid ruining your wooden cutting boards, we recommend handwashing them instead of putting them in the dishwasher.

What is the best cutlery for dishwasher?

Stainless steel is our top choice because it's rust-resistant. You can run stainless steel utensils through the dishwasher without worrying about discoloration and they will never require polishing.

Why are stainless steel knives not dishwasher safe?

The hot, moist environment inside a dishwasher also promotes corrosion and rust. While stainless steel knives resist rust better, they can still develop surface stains. Carbon steel blades used for many high-quality knives are especially vulnerable.

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