How to tell if plastic is dishwasher safe? When a producer of plastic has tested through many procedures to see that the plastic can withstand detergents used and also high temperature emitted by the dishwasher it becomes dishwasher safe and only a few kinds of plastics are dishwasher safe and they are Type 2 (HDPE), Type 4 (LDPE), and Type 5 (PP).
Here’s how to tell if plastic is dishwasher safe;
Of all the kinds of plastics we have only three are acceptable for dishwashers and we can tell if a plastic is dishwasher safe if it is any of these three plastics and they are type 2, type 4, and type 5, and all dishwasher safe plastic are always made with these types of plastic.
Type 2 plastic is known as HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene )
It is commonly used to produce milk bottles, juice containers, and laundry products.
The HDPE plastic is unique for its ability to avoid the leaching of chemicals into beverages or foods and it is also a stable polymer.
Type 4 plastic is known as LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) and it is commonly used to make plastic wraps and food storage bags,
It is a flexible plastic and doesn’t leach chemicals into food.
For type 5 plastic is known as PP (polypropylene) which is used in producing condiments container
Like salt and pepper containers and also used in the production of containers that are microwave safe,
It is a durable or long-lasting lightweight plastic and does not leach chemicals into foods.
So if a plastic is any of these three types then it is dishwasher safe but if a plastic is not any if these three types it is not dishwasher safe.
What Happens If You Put A Plastic In Dishwasher That Is Not Dishwasher Safe?
When plastic is placed in a dishwasher that is not dishwasher safe
The plastic might not be able to withstand the high heat and this could lead to severe damage.
While type 2, type 4, and type 5 are safe to use in a dishwasher
Other kinds of plastics are not safe to use in a dishwasher that is not dishwasher safe because they can easily melt,
Squeeze or warp due to them not having the ability to withstand the heat coming from the drying circle or hitting the water.
I’m some cases the plastic can break and get into the filter and even damage the dishwasher
And even the labels on the plastic can clog or block the dishwasher.
Another this that could happen if plastic is placed in a dishwasher that is not dishwasher safe is that
If the plastic melts it could cause chemical leaching in food.
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What is the Symbol of Dishwasher Safe on Plastic?
The dishwasher symbol denotes or indicates items that
It can be used in a dishwasher without causing damage to either the dishwasher or the item.
The main or typical symbol of the dishwasher on plastic is a square box diagram
With some drawings of some plates or glasses or even both inside the square box.
But sometimes if fortunate, it is boldly written dishwasher safe
This indicates that the plastic or item will be safe to use in the dishwasher.
It is wise to always check kitchen items for dishwasher-safe symbols which can either be a couple of circles either big or small,
Pictures of water droppings or pictures of slanted lines show that these items can be used in a dishwasher.
Sometimes the dishwasher safe symbol indicates that the item is only for the top rack
And should be placed there, especially for soft items.
For a glass to be able to withstand the temperature of a dishwasher it has to be tempered chemically during its manufacturing.
Is 5 PP Dishwasher Safe?
5 PP means polypropylene recycling number 5 and it is a plastic used for single-serve uses like serving syrup, cream cheese, or yogurt.
It has a very high melting point and due to this it is able to withstand extremely high temperatures of a dishwasher
This is because it has a 210°F plastic food-safe temperature
And also it is part of the three types of plastic that is dishwasher safe
And it is the type 5 used for food storage so it is dishwasher safe.
The polypropylene recycling number 5 is an original, solid but lightweight plastic that doesn’t melt in the dishwasher
Or microwave so it does not leach or leak harmful chemicals into foods stored in it a
Therefore it is dishwasher safe and it is considered the safest of all plastic.
Why Is It Bad To Put Plastic In Dishwasher?
It is really bad to put plastic in the dishwasher especially when the dishwasher is not dishwasher safe
And this is because it could lead to damage to the dishwasher or the plastic or both.
Due to the extremely high temperature of a dishwasher, it emits intense heat which could lead to shrinkage,
Warp or squeezing of the material or plastic
And the shrinkage of the plastic could lead to harmful chemicals contained in the plastic leaching
So, it not only destroys the container but also causes leaching
This is because the plastics are not made with the ability to withstand extreme heat.
The placing of plastic in a dishwasher that is not dishwasher safe can also be detrimental to the dishwasher in that when the container breaks,
The pieces can enter the filter which can lead to damage to the dishwasher
And the labels on the plastic can become unglued if unattached in the dishwasher during a cycle.
This could lead to the blockage or clogging of the dishwasher system.
Is Number 7 Plastic Dishwasher Safe?
The safest plastic that are dishwasher safe falls under the category of recycling number 2, 4, and 5
These are respectively known as Type 2 or HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), Type 4 or LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), and Type 5 or PP( Polypropylene).
So if any plastic doesn’t fall under the above-mentioned category it is not dishwasher safe
And this is because type 2, type 4, and type 5 plastics are made
With the ability to withstand the high heat emitted by the dishwasher without getting damaged
Or leaching of chemicals in food but other plastics like Type 1, Type 3, Type 6, and Type 7 plastics are not made with the ability to withstand extreme heat emitted by the dishwasher
And this could lead to damage to the dishwasher and the plastic which can also lead to the leaching of chemicals.
So number 7 Plastics which are plastics that do not fit into the category of Type 1 to Type 6 are not dishwasher safe.
This is because of their makeup and lack of ability to withstand extreme heat from the dishwasher
And are therefore not dishwasher safe.
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How To Wash Plastic Containers In Dishwasher:
Before placing plastic in a dishwasher in order to wash first of all,
Check if the plastic is dishwasher safe or if that plastic has been indicated as reusable.
When washing plastics that have been denoted as reusable, they should be placed on the top rack,
It gives them distance from the heating component of the dishwasher in order to avoid melting
This is because even plastics that are dishwasher-safe can be destroyed due to intense heat
Also, deep cleaning should be avoided.
After checking if the plastic is dishwasher safe, remove any form of food remnant with hot water or manual washing
And clean the container with a paper towel or clean cloth before placing it on the dishwasher’s top rack,
Always make sure that the interior of the container is face down
And situated in the center where the dishwasher sprays to make sure if thorough cleaning.
Make sure to never pile the container without spacing them out as this will lead to a not-so-thorough cleaning of the plastic.
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Conclusion
Dishwashers are devices used for thorough cleaning of plastics but only plastics that are dishwasher safe can be used in a dishwasher.
We can tell if plastic is dishwasher safe if it is indicated in the plastic either through the bold writing
“ dishwasher safe” or through a diagram of a square box with plates and glasses in the square box.
Another way to tell if plastic is dishwasher safe is by the kind of plastic it is
And there are only three accepted dishwasher-safe plastics
And this is because these plastics can withstand extreme heat emitted from the dishwasher
These three plastics are type 2, type 4, and type 5.
For type 2 plastic is known as HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene )
It is commonly used to produce milk bottles, juice containers, laundry products,
Type 4 plastic is known as LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
And it is commonly used to make plastic wraps and food storage bags,
It is a flexible plastic and doesn’t leach chemicals into food,
For type 5 plastic is known as PP (polypropylene) which is used in producing condiments container like salt and pepper containers
It is also used in the production of containers that are microwave safe,
It is a durable or long-lasting lightweight plastic and does not leach chemicals into foods.