Putting knives in the dishwasher

Do you put your high-quality knives in the dishwasher? Then you probably won't have your beautiful cutting tools for long. Although the damage is often not immediately visible, the dishwasher will dull your knives over time. The detergents in the machine attack the blades. They contain salts that contribute to corrosion and thus to wear and tear on the knife blade. As a result, knives will lose their sharpness and no longer look good. This is why it is advisable not to clean high-quality knives such as steak, meat, bread and serving knives in the dishwasher.

To prevent your sharp knives from being damaged in the dishwasher, it makes sense to clean them by hand. All you need for hand washing is warm water, a little dish soap and a dishcloth. Hold the kitchen knife briefly under the tap, rub the blade with dish soap and wash thoroughly.

Important: Do not use a brush, as this can scratch the surface of the blade.

It is best to clean your knives immediately after use. Acidic foods can also damage the blades. Dry them with a cloth immediately after cleaning to prevent limescale stains.

Heavy soiling or discoloration can be easily removed with toothpaste or a commercially available ceramic cooktop cleaner, which you might already have at home. 

Many people keep their knives in a drawer. However, the blades can knock into each other or rub against other objects, damaging the metal blade. The blades become scratched or blunt, or you may injure yourself when taking them out. It is therefore advisable to purchase a knife block or a magnetic strip, which look stylish and keep the knives within easy reach at all times. Drawer inserts also help to keep kitchen knives organized and apart from one another. Alternatively, you can use a blade guard to protect your kitchen knives from damage.