The dishwasher is so good at its job that it can leave you wishing you had a similar machine for all bothersome-to-clean items at home.
Chances are you have one already.
But, Can You Wash Golf Equipment and Similar Items In The Dishwasher or Washing Machine?
It depends on the size and material. Fabric gear should be washed in a washing machine. Small plastics, leather, or wooden golfing gear should be placed in the dishwasher.
Few things to consider
A dishwasher can wash almost everything imaginable but you need to observe one rule – NEVER put plastics with low melting points in your machine unless a “dishwasher safe” symbol is drawn on them!
Some glasses can be risky as well. Hand-blown and crystal glasses are sensitive to heat and may crack.
It doesn’t end there – detergents will chip at them the entire time, helping their shine to disappear. Do not try to wash the dishes and your golf equipment concurrently.
When washing your golf equipment in the dishwasher, show them —and the dishwasher—some love.
If such equipment as gloves, golf balls, shoes, and apparel have tags on them or have loose parts hanging, get rid of the crooked parts before putting them in the machine.
This can go a long way to prevent your machine from clogging or malfunctioning.
Which Golf Items Can You Wash In The Dishwasher or Washing Machine?
Whoa! Slowly, mate. As you probably know already, golfing gear is a unique lot.
They cost a lot of money to acquire because of the elite nature of golf, so you don’t want to damage them by trying to wash them in the wrong machine.
1. Golf balls
They are mostly made from beech, a hardwood material, and normally come with a diameter of 42 mm.
It’s perfectly OK to toss them in a dishwasher or washer.
2. Golf clubs
These are normally made of wood but some come in putters or with iron parts or both.
They would’ve been dishwasher washable if they weren’t so long.
If you have an enormous dishwasher in your basement, go ahead and add a sparkle on them with it
3. Ball markers
They are used to make changes to the position of your golf ball.
They are either plastic or metallic.
Either way, they are dishwasher washable.
4. Golf bags
Golf bags are mostly leather or nylon but tend to be too gunny and too large to fit in an average dishwasher.
5. Golf carts
The best way to wash these is by hand owing to their enormous size and having several parts made from different materials.
6. Towels
Towels belong in the washing machine with other fabrics, not in the dishwasher.
7. Club heads
These are mostly made of leather or wood and “yes”, they can be washed on the dishwasher.
8. Gloves
Gloves can be nylon or leather. Their rugged nature makes them unfit for your dishwasher. Toss them in your washing machine instead.
9. Shoes
These are either fabric or leather or both.
Because your feet are always in them, it only makes sense you use the washer instead of the dishwasher.
Related: How Can You Prevent Your Shoes From Smelling Bad?
How To Wash Golf Balls In the Dishwasher
In the case of golf balls, remember to wipe the dirt or mud on them before putting them into the machine.
Alternatively, you can put the equipment through preliminary cleaning in the bucket before putting them in the dishwasher.
Choose the right golf ball cleaning agents.
Most of the household solutions or solvents are perfect for the job.
Your cleaning options can include undiluted bleach or ammonia. However, never mix these chemicals – that would be unsafe for your equipment.
The cheapest and quickest option is any mild soap you can find and water.
Once you’ve wiped the dirt or washed through the preliminary stage, you can put them in your dishwasher for the last scrub.
Some golfers like to toss their dirty golf balls in the rack of the dishwasher and let the machine complete the rest of the job.
That’s perfectly OK – it works all the time.
Be careful not to leave the soil and other unsightly debris in the compartment.
What else (non golf items) can you wash with a dishwasher?
Lots of other things:
1. Bins and fridge shelves
Place your bins and glass shelves on the top rack and let them soak.
If your shelves are equipped with LED lights, it is probably not a good idea to put them in the machine.
For those that are dishwasher-friendly, start by warming them to room temperature.
2. Trivet and silicone pot holder
We all love these Muppet-faced plastic potholders as they are handy.
Their biggest drawback, however, is their tendency to get dirty fast.
The good news is you can toss them in the dishwasher and let it do all the cleaning.
Remember to adhere to the recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
3. Contact lens cases
This might come as a surprise but it’s okay to occasionally disinfect your contact cases in the dishwasher.
However, it is more hygienic to replace them entirely once every 3 weeks so you don’t get an infection.
4. The vent filters of your range hood
Oily or greasy filters aren’t the easiest parts to clean.
Vent filters get greasy every time you sauté or fry, but cleaning them is a pain. BOSCH, the renowned hood maker, recommends that you wash your mesh filters with the regular detergent in a dishwasher.
Remember to dry them completely before putting them back in the range hood. NEVER wash your charcoal vent filters in the dishwasher.
5. Lego bricks and most plastic toys
Dirty Lego bricks are a health hazard to children.
Most plastic toys, including Legos, are made from hard plastics that can be washed in a dishwasher. Large toys should be put on the top racks.
For small toys, put them in a clean mesh laundry bag before placing them on the top racks.
Those with glued parts shouldn’t be put in the machine.
For those that use batteries, you probably shouldn’t wash them in a dishwasher even with batteries removed.
6. Sponges
Sponges are the easiest household items to clean.
Besides soaking them in a bleaching solution in a bucket, you can let them disinfect in a microwave for a few seconds and use them immediately.
The dishwasher is in the cards as well – place your sponges in the silver basket or top rack and adjust the machine to the regular wash cycle (“heated dry” setting).
Replace your sponges every 2 weeks.
7. Toothbrush holder
Unless your toothbrush holder is overly embellished with lots of tiny add-ons and decorations, they can be washed in the dishwasher whether they are metallic or plastic.
Remember to remove the toothpaste debris before putting it in the machine.
8. Doggy toys
Do your puppies leave their Frisbees and all other toys soiled too often?
Don’t fret if you have a dishwasher – put the toys in the top rack and wash without a detergent.
However, most Nylabones aren’t safe for your dishwasher, so check the manufacturer’s directions first. Otherwise, wash them by hand.
9. Baseball caps
You can return the sparkle on your baseboard caps without shedding a sweat.
Start by putting them in the dishwasher with other caps but without dishes.
Go on to adjust the machine to a normal wash complete with warm water but no drying time.
You may fit your caps in plastic baseball cap forms before putting them in the machine.
Without these forms, you still fit your hats around the upright pegs that make up the rack and hold them with a clothespin.
Proceed to wash with the conventional detergent and let the machine run through the cycles.
10. Pet dish
No one would eat out of unwashed dishes – neither should your pets.
It is recommended that you wash your pets’ dishes every day just like your own and this can be by hand or dishwasher.
As usual, put the plastics on the machine’s top rack.
11. The grill’s cooking plates
Those removable plates on your grill can be washed in the dishwasher and save you a lot of time. Just make sure you adhere to the instructions provided by the maker.
12. Car change holders and removable cups
Car change holders and cups are prone to collect grease and residues.
You barely remember they are there, leave alone finding time to wash them. These too can be washed in a dishwasher.
Non-Plastic Items You Can’t Wash In A Dishwasher
You will want to wash these items by hand because the harsh conditions in the dishwasher may dent, rust, or warp them, rendering them unusable.
These 13 common cookware and kitchenware items shouldn’t be put in the dishwasher:
- Cast iron skillets (try seasoning it first to keep the flavor)
- Wooden cutting boards
- Wooden utensils
- Vintage china
- Insulated mugs
- Garlic presses
- Cups or dishes with attached labels
- Aluminum cookware
- Expensive chef’s knives
- Copper cookware
- Cheese grater
- Crystals
- Cookware with hard burnt stains
Conclusion
The rule of thumb regarding where to wash your golfing gear is – put all fabrics in the washing machine and leave the plastics, wood, and leather items in the dishwasher.
Also, consider the size of the gear.
References
18 Things You Should Never Put in a Dishwasher