Surprising Uses for Your Dishwasher

I have a dishwasher.  Unfortunately, as one person, sometimes it takes a week to fill it full without running it half empty.  So I wanna know how else I can use my dishwasher.  Here's what I found...

Things you can put in the dishwasher:
Baseball caps get bent in the washing machine, but not in the dishwasher!  And use one of those ball cap washing contraptions.  But don't wash them with dishes unless you want food caught in the fibers.
Action figures and other small toys, that is, if you have children.
Shoes like flip flops and rain boots (remove liner, lay horizontally).  Not crocs though.  Good thing I don't own any.
Tools with plastic or metal handles.  Just remember to hand dry to avoid rusting.
Ceramic cabinet knobs do well in the silverware tray.
Hair brushes and combs made of plastic.  Not wooden or natural bristle brushes.  Remove hair first so you don't plug up the drain.
Fan grills, switch plates, and vent covers made of plastic, aluminum or steel.  Enamel, painted, or plated should stay out.
Shin guards, mouth guards, and knee pad can go on the top rack.
Garden tools, but if they were used with pesticides wash without dishes.  Also, they're a no go if they have a wooden handle.
Light-fixture covers are good to go on the top rack.  Use caution if they're antiques, painted or enameled.
Potatoes can get nice and clean on the top rack on the rinse cycle (without detergent). 

Things that really shouldn't go in the dishwasher:
Cast-iron, enameled-cast-iron, and cooper pots and pans are on the no no list.  Cast-iron rusts, enameled-cast-iron chips, and cooper dents.
Formal dishes and nice flatware can get worn with repeat washing.  Here's a rule of thumb, if it's something you'll cry over harming or losing, don't do it.
Crystal glasses because food particles can etch them and heat causes cracks.  And hand dry with a towel that wasn't laundered with a fabric softener, which can leave a film.
Wooden spoons can warp and crack.
Brass items because hot water can remove the protective layer that forms on brass.
Good kitchen knives and steak knives because they'll dull faster.
Wooden cutting boards can swell and contract leaving them unlevel. 
Insulated mugs and containers have vacuum seals which will be ruined if water seeps in.

Technically acceptable in the dishwasher, but too questionable to try:
Computer keyboard - Place the keyboard facedown on the top rack, don’t use detergent, and skip the drying cycle. Afterward, unscrew the back, if possible, or pop off the keys (take a picture beforehand so you remember where they go). Air-dry two to five days. Pray the Computer Fairy is looking down on you, then reassemble.
Broom ends (and dust pans, scrub brushes, and vacuum attachments) - Shake off the loose dust into the trash first.  Stick brushes and attachments in the silverware basket and broom ends and dust pans on top.

Salmon, but prepared for your dishwasher to smell like fish for awhile.

Real Simple

So what are you going to try...?