Anyone who ever wasted hours standing in front of a sink scrubbing filthy flatware knows what a lifesaver a dishwasher can be. These magical little machines cut down on one of the nation’s most hated household chores.

There are some things you should never put in the dishwasher and then there are things you didn’t know could go in the dishwasher. But did you know that your favorite kitchen appliance can even help you accomplish some everyday household tasks?

Read on for the most surprising tasks you didn’t know your dishwasher could do, including a couple dinner tricks your family and friends will have to see to believe (No. 11 and 14).

1. Sanitize your toothbrush

Your toothbrush hosts somewhere around 100 million bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococci. Even the plaque you’re brushing off your teeth contains bacteria.

The best way to clean yours? Throw it in the dishwasher. Scalding water temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit are enough to annihilate gross bacteria lurking on your toothbrush without buying a new one.

Next: Tidy up your car

2. Clean car parts

Shining up your hubcaps doesn’t require hours of scrubbing by hand — instead, pop them in the dishwasher and let it do all the work. Add a cup of white vinegar to abolish grit and grime in a hurry. You can also put lug nuts in a mesh bag to clean those at the same time.

Next: Fresh feet

3. Freshen up your sneakers

Cleaning sneakers isn’t easy — unless, of course, you use the dishwasher. Most canvas, rubber-soled sneakers can be put in the dishwasher to get them looking like new again.

Next: This seems counterintuitive but …

4. Clean your keyboard

It might seem a little crazy to clean electronics in the dishwasher, but some experts say it’s a good way to effectively remove all the built-up dirt and germs from your keyboard.

Be warned that this should be a last resort. But if you’re willing to give the dishwasher a try, wash the keyboard alone with no soap and don’t use hot water. Air dry your keyboard for a few days to ensure all the moisture has been removed.

Next: Keep your home looking fresh

5. Dust off fake flowers

High-quality fake flowers might fool your houseguests, but not if they’ve got a thick layer of dust on them. Scrub those leaves and petals quickly by placing the whole arrangement in the dishwasher.

Next: Protect your family from germs

6. Remove mold from bath toys

Inevitably, your collection of bath toys is bound to get moldy. But instead of tossing the lot and starting over, just add them to your dishwasher load to get a clean as new appearance — and no more gross mold.

Next: An easy way to get that restaurant atmosphere at home

7. Warm dishes

Ever notice how fancy restaurants serve your hot food on warm plates? That’s to keep your meal from getting prematurely cold while you’re enjoying it. Serve your next meal like the pros by using your dishwasher’s warming setting with the dinner dishes before you plate the food.

Next: Save time doing prep work

8. Rinse fruit and veggies

Hand-washing your fresh produce purchases can take time, but it’s necessary to remove residual dirt and toxins. Save yourself the effort and place fruits and vegetables in the dishwasher on a cold cycle with no soap. Keep delicate items, such as tomatoes, on the top rack to protect them from damage and put your hardy buys, like potatoes, down below.

Next: If you need this to be ready faster

9. Ripen an avocado

Catching an avocado at the perfect moment is tricky — but your dishwasher may be able to help. While patience and a paper bag are your best options for ripening avocados, you can wrap one up and run it through a soap-less cycle of the dishwasher to soften it up quickly.

Next: Your dinner guests will appreciate this

10. Keep food warm

Fancy new ovens sometimes have warmer drawers which are designed to keep your food warm. But even if you don’t have one, you can use your dishwasher for the same purpose.

To keep that tuna casserole nice and warm, set your dishwasher to dry cycle with no water and place the dish on the top rack. Your meal will stay the proper temperature until you’re ready to serve it.

Next: Now this is just crazy

11. Poach salmon

You could get fancy with elaborate dishwasher meals (just make sure everything is tightly sealed), or you could go simple with a basic poached salmon entrée. Wrap the salmon in foil and run your dishwasher on a regular cycle for a perfectly cooked piece of fish.

Next: A new way to cook sides

12. Steam vegetables

No double oven? No problem. When you’re cooking dinner for a crowd and you need a little assistance on the side dishes, try making tightly wrapped foil packs of vegetables and putting them in the dishwasher. Carrots, broccoli, and sweet and white potatoes are just some examples you could try.

Next: Keep germs away from your face

13. Disinfect makeup brushes

The amount of bacteria on your makeup brushes is disturbing, but who can afford to replace them every few months? Instead of dropping cash on brand new brushes all the time, try running your makeup tools through the dishwasher to eliminate germs and built-up makeup residue.

Next: Your friends will never believe you

14. Cook a casserole

There are lots of foods you can prepare in the dishwasher if you seal them up tightly. Cook a lasagna by running the dishwasher on a normal cycle and opting for the heated dry and sanitize options for extra heat.

Plus, it’s pretty cool to tell all your friends that you’re eating dishwasher prepared foods.

Next: A nice time saver

15. Dry dishes

Not all plates can withstand the dishwasher, but even your most delicate dishes can be dried quickly when you use the dry cycle. Use this option instead of stacking them all precariously on the edge of the sink.

Read more: Surprising Thing You Should Never, Ever Put in the Dishwasher

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