[Shainie]

As a rule, anything plastic I keep on the top rack. They can melt or warp on the bottom. (An exception is plastic untensils - hard plastic is okay on the bottom).

For soap, Electrasol tablets are awesome! I'd never go back to liquid or powder. They really get the dishes clean and leave them without spots.

Turn your spoons handle down when you put them in. Otherwise waterstays on them and leaves a mark.

Other than the cast iron, everything else sounds dishwasher safe.