Can You Use Dish Soap in a Dishwasher?

There’s no shame in looking at the bottle of liquid dish soap and wondering if you could use it in the dishwasher. This is a common thought most homeowners have. While it may seem like dish soap and liquid dish detergent are interchangeable, they’re not. Even though they technically do the same job, they’re very different. Here’s why you can’t use dish soap in a dishwasher.

Is There a Difference Between Dish Soap and Liquid Dish Detergent?

There is a very big difference between dish soap and dish detergent. And the answer lies in bubbles. Dish soap is engineered to create a load of bubbles when it hits water. This is why you have a sink full of bubbles when you wash dishes. On the flipside, dish detergent is much more concentrated and does not create any bubbles. If you were to try and hand wash dishes with dish detergent, there would be a soapy residue left over. Why? Because dish detergent is so strong it can’t be fully rinsed while hand washing.

What Happens When You Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher?

When you put dish soap in the dishwasher you are creating a volcanic explosion of soap bubbles. While this may sound like a fun way to clean your floors, it could actually cause a huge amount of water damage. Therefore, we advise against it.

Did You Put Soap in Your Dishwasher?

Did you already make the mistake and put dish soap in the dishwasher? We’re here for you. Breathe easy and know you haven’t caused permanent damage to your dishwasher. However, here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the Dishwasher – Before anything else, turn off the dishwasher. It doesn’t matter where you are in the cycle or how many bubbles are foaming from the appliance, just turn it off.
2. Find Any and All Towels – Next, find as many towels as you can. You’re going to want to soak up as much liquid as you can before it finds its way behind your cabinets.
3. Remove all the Dishes – After the water is absorbed, remove anything in the dishwasher and set it aside, you’ll need to wash it again.
4. Find a Bucket or Bowl – You’re going to want something a bit large for this next task. Grab a bowl or bucket and start scooping bubbles and water out of the dishwasher. You can deposit the mess into the sink and wash it down the drain.
5. Clean the Bottom of the Dishwasher – The final thing you need to do is to soak up any remaining bubbles from the inside of your dishwasher. You can use a towel to get everything out. After all is said and done, run a rinse cycle for a few minutes to flush out any remaining dish soap. Now you can reload the dishwasher and start a new cycle; with detergent this time.

Make Sure Your Plumbing is in the Best Shape with Moore Home Services

No matter what appliance the water comes from, we want you to have the best quality and cleanest water possible. Call Moore Home Services to schedule a plumbing safety inspection. During this inspection one of our certified plumbers will test the quality of your tap water, inspect your pipes with a camera, and check your water pressure. Dial the number at the top of the screen or click here to book an appointment online.