think beyond the dish

 Did you know that you can clean all kinds of stuff in your dishwasher?  
Some of it is obvious and some, not so much.  Kids plastic toys can be tossed into a mesh bag to keep them all together and away from moving parts.  Rubber shoes, boots and small window screens.  I run the screen over the stove through the dishwasher several times a year.  Scrub brushes and kitchen sponges as well as hair brushes and combs.  Some of these things can run through a normal cycle with dishwasher safe dishes.
I have put baseball caps and visors in by themselves and ran them through a quick cycle.  They weren't expensive ones just extra dirty and they turned out fantastic.  (Kind of a bummer as my husband wore them all the time and I was hoping to toss them in the trash.)
I also regularly wash pet bowls and water dishes to prevent bacteria growth.  Plastic toy pet toys wash well, but don't run rope toys or rawhide.  It's best to just throw them away when they get to worn out.
Glass globes in light fixtures can be run through the delicate cycle, but skip the high heat dry option.  Be sure that they are room temperature when you put them in and that they are spaced away from each other so they don't hit or rub against each other.  Avoid washing antique or hand painted items, especially if they have gold trim.  Be extra cautious with fragile items.
Be a bit cautious and follow manufacturer care of specific items.  Many things are surprisingly labeled "dishwasher safe".  Check the product online as there are also plenty of items that you shouldn't run through the dishwasher.
If you need some tips on how to clean the dishwasher after washing all those awesome things, here are some very simple tips.  Clean the drain out and place a cup full of white vinegar in the top rack and run through with the hottest setting.  After that cycle, sprinkle a little baking soda over the bottom of dishwasher and run through a short cycle.  It should sparkle and smell fresh after that.
Happy Weekend!