If you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher at home, you'll know that they're great for cutting down on the amount of time and effort it takes to get your plates, mugs and cutlery sparkling. 

However, like all appliances, taking proper care of your dishwasher is vital in making it last as long as possible. 

And while there are plenty of dishwasher-safe kitchen staples and materials, there are certain things that should be kept well away from your machine in order to avoid damaging it. 

That's according to an appliance expert from Which?, who has lifted the lid on some of the things he'd never do as a dishwasher specialist - and one of these involves loading it with certain things. 

Not only can they wreak havoc on your dishwasher, it could also make the items pretty dangerous to handle, cook and eat with too. 

The pro has warned that there are five specific things he'd never put in the dishwasher because of the effect it can have from the cycle.

And one very popular thing, that many people will have in their kitchens, is wooden items like spoons and chopping boards.

The pro warned that can swell and splinter due to the water exposure - no matter what kind of wood it is. However, washing them gently by hand with some warm, soapy water is fine, since the heat is less intense. 

Sharp knives is another kitchen staple that should also always be carefully washed by hand, because when they're put in the dishwasher too often, the blades can become dulled. 

The same is true for blender blades, which can become less effective if you run the attachment through the dishwasher enough times. 

And although it can be tempting to skip the washing up when it comes to pots and pans, and shove them in the dishwasher instead, this might not be the best idea. 

The pro has warned that it's important to keep non-stick pans away from your appliance because the heat and the water can ruin the coating that makes them so effective at repelling stubborn food marks. 

Similarly, most insulated mugs, flasks and Stanley cups should never be put through a dishwasher cycle, because of the damage that it can cause to the vacuum seals.

This will make the insulation worse, preventing them from keeping your drinks hot or cool. It could also make them prone to leaking.

For this reason, it's best to wash and dry these by hand.