I've washed a lot of things in the dishwasher other than dishes. I tend to hand wash the dishes cuz there aren't that many after just one meal and I don't have enough for several meals without washing . . . . But the dishwasher does a great job on flower pots, aquarium stuff (never from the turtle tank tho), kids toys that have had bad things happen on them, salmon, wool that needs felting without losing too much size, freshly dyed wool that needs curing, etc.
Um, I do have a husband and since he wouldn't approve, I hope you can all keep your mouths SHUT!