Limited Edition Collector Blades
Can You Put Knives in the Dishwasher? What Knife Makers Say
Can you put knives in the dishwasher? You can put many stainless knives in a dishwasher without ruining them in one cycle, but you shouldn't make it a habit. Wüsthof, Victorinox and Dalstrong all say their knives can handle a dishwasher (wooden handles excepted), and all three recommend hand washing instead. The dishwasher knocks edges against other items and leaves blades sitting in detergent, food residue and steam, which leads to dull edges, spots and corrosion.
Below: what the knife makers actually say, why the dishwasher is hard on blades, a seven-step hand-washing routine that takes under a minute, and what to do if your knife has already been through a cycle.
What the knife makers say
| Brand | Dishwasher-safe? | Their recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Dalstrong | Product FAQs say the knives can handle the dishwasher | Strongly recommends hand washing with warm water and mild soap, drying thoroughly, and not soaking |
| Wüsthof | Says its knives are dishwasher-safe, except wooden handles | Recommends hand washing, then drying with a towel right after use |
| Victorinox | Household knives with synthetic handles are dishwasher-safe | Hand wash all large knives; wooden handles should never go in |
So "dishwasher-safe" means the knife won't fall apart in a dishwasher. It doesn't mean the dishwasher is good for the knife.
Why the dishwasher is hard on knives
- Edge contact. Wüsthof notes that water pressure can knock blades against each other and other items in the basket. A fine edge that hits a fork or plate can roll or chip, so the knife feels dull sooner. Victorinox says hand washing is gentler and helps knives stay sharper longer.
- Basket damage and corrosion. Both Wüsthof and Victorinox warn that a sharp blade can cut the basket's plastic coating. Once that coating is damaged, the basket can rust and contribute to corrosion.
- Food residue. If you load the knife and run the cycle later, acidic or salty residue such as citrus, pickles or spicy sauces stays on the steel. Wüsthof says this can cause spots, pinholes and corrosion. In its words, the steel is "stain resistant, not stainproof."
- Detergent and steam. Too much or too aggressive detergent can stain a blade, and Victorinox notes that hot vapor and condensation after the cycle can cause stains and corrosion. That's also a common reason a blade comes out hazy. See why your knife is cloudy.
- Handles. Heat and long soaking are hard on wood. Victorinox and Wüsthof both keep wooden-handled knives out of the dishwasher.
How to hand wash a kitchen knife in 7 steps
- Wash it soon after use. Victorinox advises cleaning as soon as possible, because salty or acidic food can stain the blade if it sits.
- Rinse under running water. Hold the blade with the edge facing away from you and parallel to the sink, so you can always see the edge.
- Use warm water and mild dish soap. A soft sponge or cloth is enough. Skip abrasive scrubbers and cleansers, which Wüsthof says can scratch blades.
- Wipe from spine to edge. Wipe the blade from spine toward edge, not along the edge, and keep your fingers on the spine side.
- Don't soak it. Never leave knives in a sink full of water. Dalstrong and Wüsthof both warn against soaking, and a hidden blade in soapy water is a safety risk.
- Dry right away. Use a clean cotton or linen towel. Victorinox warns that air-drying leaves limescale spots.
- Store it protected. Use a block, an in-drawer holder, a magnetic strip or a sheath, never loose in a drawer. See knife block vs magnetic strip vs drawer storage.
If you use the dishwasher anyway
Sometimes a knife ends up in the dishwasher anyway. Victorinox's tips for doing it more safely:
- Rinse the blade first so residue doesn't sit on it.
- Place it so it doesn't touch other metal items in the cutlery basket.
- Use a moderate amount of detergent, and switch brands if blades come out stained.
- Open the door briefly after the cycle, then towel-dry the knife instead of leaving it in the steam.
Keep wooden-handled knives out entirely, and hand wash large knives such as chef's knives, bread knives and cleavers.
What to do after a dishwasher cycle
If your knife has already been through a cycle, check it in good light:
- White spots or haze: usually mineral or detergent residue. Our cloudy knife guide covers removing it.
- Orange-brown specks: surface rust. Treat them early. See how to remove rust from stainless steel knives, and patina vs rust if you're not sure what you're looking at.
- Edge feels dull: try honing first, and sharpen if that doesn't bring it back. Here's the difference between honing and sharpening.
Quick knife-washing checklist
- Wash right after use, especially after acidic or salty food
- Warm water, mild soap, soft sponge
- No soaking, no abrasive pads
- Towel-dry immediately, never air-dry
- Store in a block, on a strip, in a tray or in a sheath
- Hone regularly and sharpen when honing stops helping
Frequently asked questions
Can you put knives in the dishwasher?
Many stainless kitchen knives are technically dishwasher-safe, but Wüsthof, Victorinox and Dalstrong all recommend hand washing. The dishwasher risks edge damage from knocking against other items, plus spotting and corrosion from detergent, residue and steam.
Are Dalstrong knives dishwasher safe?
Dalstrong's product pages say its knives can handle the dishwasher, but Dalstrong strongly recommends hand washing with warm water and mild soap, drying thoroughly, and not soaking.
Why does the dishwasher dull knives?
During the cycle, blades can knock against cutlery, dishes and the basket. Victorinox says hand washing is gentler on the blade and helps knives stay sharper longer.
Can wooden-handled knives go in the dishwasher?
No. Wüsthof excludes wooden-handled knives from its dishwasher-safe statement, and Victorinox says wooden handles definitely should not go in the dishwasher.
What if I already put my knife in the dishwasher?
Dry it straight away and check for spots or haze. Mineral spots often wipe off; light surface rust can be removed gently. Check the edge, hone it, and sharpen if it no longer cuts cleanly.
Sources: Dalstrong product care FAQs; Wüsthof care guidance; Victorinox Knife Care Tips. Checked November 3, 2026.
