The dishwasher is one of those "best things since sliced bread" inventions, saving you countless hours otherwise spent stooped over the sink. But, of course, we’ve yet to create a device that’s a kitchen-cleanup panacea — there are some things the dishwasher just shouldn’t tackle.

We’re talking cutting boards, wooden utensils (like spoons) and knives with wooden handles. Why? Dishwasher detergent is abrasive and will scratch wood over time. Plus, the heat of the drying cycle can cause the wood to warp or even crack. Rinse and hand-wash cutting boards soon after you use them, but don’t submerge them in water. A little baking soda can help scrub away stains, too.

Placing your good knives in the dishwasher is a big no-no. The detergent will dull a knife's blade — frustrating as you slice and dice, and also unsafe, as you’re more likely to lose control of a dull knife. Plus, the hot water and heat in the drying cycle will loosen knives’ handles. Wash your kitchen knives carefully by hand in hot soapy water instead.

It took a lot of effort to get your cast-iron cookware perfectly seasoned! Don’t ruin it (or potentially cause your pan to rust) by using the dishwasher as a cleaning shortcut. Instead, rinse your cast iron in hot water, scrubbing with a long-handled scrub brush to lift stuck-on food. If you want to remove stubborn mess or excess oil, use a few drops of dish soap. Rinse it completely with hot water and then dry completely. Wipe down the pan with a light coating of cooking oil, like vegetable or canola, and then wipe off the pan until there’s no excess oil.