A dishwasher makes quick work of kitchen cleanup. Just load in dirty dishes, add dishwashing detergent and turn it on. And now you’re off to do anything else—including forget that you ran the dishwasher.

You remember which items are dishwasher safe. You even remember to occasionally add a tablet to clean the dishwasher itself. So why is it so hard to remember whether you’ve actually pressed the start button?

You’re not alone in this kitchen dilemma, as shown by thousands of happy customers who have used this simple clean dirty dishwasher magnet to save them from this all-too-common household brain fart.

What is a clean dirty dishwasher magnet?

This clean dirty dishwasher magnet is a useful yet cute kitchen accessory that displays the current status of your dishwasher contents. When it says “dirty,” your dishwasher is ready to accept dishes, cups and utensils that need to be washed. When it says “clean,” the dishwasher is either currently running or ready to be emptied of its sparkling contents.

This handy magnet comes in four different designs:

  • Silver frame with a black “dirty” indicator and a white “clean” indicator
  • Black frame with white-on-black clean/dirty indicators for a chalkboard look
  • White frame with a black-and-white indicator for the dirty side and a cheery blue-and-white one for the clean side
  • Silver frame with a green-and-white “clean” indicator and red-and-white “dirty” indicator

This super-cute magnet is also easy to read, thanks to big, clear words (and bright colors, depending on the one you choose) that declare once and for all if your dishwasher is full of clean or dirty dishes.

How to Use a Clean Dirty Dishwasher Magnet

You’ve got to love a gadget that’s ready to go right out of the box. Just attach the clean dirty dishwasher magnet to the metal front of your dishwasher. And no worries if you’ve got a non-metal dishwasher. It comes with double-sided stickers, too.

Then, all you have to do is slide the cover to reveal the appropriate side—clean or dirty—that matches the state of the dishes in your dishwasher.

Psst! Does your dishwasher smell like it’s done the dirty work? Here’s how to clean a moldy dishwasher or fix other common dishwasher issues. If you’re looking for something new entirely, these are the best countertop dishwashers you can buy.

What Other People Are Saying

With over 22,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to say that this clean dirty dishwasher magnet has saved a lot of dishwashers (and households) from doing double work.

“It’ll help keep your family accountable,” raves 5-star reviewer Laurie Sturgeon.”Seriously! ‘I didn’t know if it was clean or dirty!’ Insert eye roll. Open the dishwasher and look. Well now your family members have no excuses with this great communication tool. Easy to read and oh so cute!!! Slide to the side when [you] start the washer and you are good to go.”

This might not be the only clean dirty dishwasher magnet on the market, but those who have used similar products find this one to be an upgrade. A 5-star review from Jill Hidy says: “It’s much better quality than the last magnet I had. It isn’t warping and I love the fact that you slide it back and forth instead of having to remove it and flip it like some of the others.”

Taste of Home Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski, is a big fan, too. “This may just be the best $9 I’ve ever spent,” she says. “I love that it effortlessly sticks to the front of my dishwasher, and it’s a great way to communicate with my partner. Plus, it looks cute!”

Where to Buy a Clean Dirty Dishwasher Magnet

Baby Pop Newest Design Silo Ecomm Via Amazon.comvia merchant

Give yourself a break trying to remember whether the dishwasher is ready to fill or empty with this fun yet functional clean dirty dishwasher magnet. You can snag your favorite of four magnet options on Amazon for around $9.

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