If you find yourself with a dishwasher full of dishes and no dishwasher detergent, it might be tempting to use dish soap. You might think it’s a safe idea, but using traditional dish soap in the dishwasher is a major no-no. Dish soap turns your kitchen into a sudsy mess. It can also wreak havoc on the dishwasher itself, and potentially ruin the surrounding plumbing.
Only dishwasher detergent is recommended for use in dishwashers because it is specially created for dishwashers and is designed to clean dishes without suds.
Why Dish Soap and Dishwashers Don’t Mix
At first glance, dish soap and dishwasher detergent might seem like cousins—both are cleaning agents, often liquid or gel, designed for dishes. But their differences are night and day. Dish soap, like Dawn or Joy, is formulated for hand-washing. It’s packed with surfactants that create a foamy lather when scrubbed with a sponge, perfect for cutting grease on pots and pans. That foam is your friend in the sink but a nightmare in a dishwasher.
Dishwasher detergent, on the other hand, relies on enzymes and surfactants designed for the high-pressure, high-heat environment of a dishwasher. These enzymes break down proteins, starches, and grease into tiny particles that water can flush away, all without creating suds. Unlike dish soap, dishwasher detergents (whether powder, gel, or pods) are low-sudsing by design, ensuring your dishwasher’s jets and pumps work efficiently without clogging.
Using dish soap in a dishwasher throws this delicate balance out the window. The soap’s sudsing action goes into overdrive, producing a thick, foamy mess that your dishwasher isn’t built to handle. Think of it like pouring soda into a fountain—it’s going to overflow, and fast.
Why you should never use dish soap in your dishwasher
Adding a few drops of liquid soap could cause a suds explosion in your kitchen. Dishwasher tablets don’t produce any suds; thus that’s why you don’t see suds spillage. With so many plates, cups and pots in the dishwasher, the suds have nowhere to go, and they make their way out to the floor.
Not only could your flooring get damaged but also your dishwasher. The suds can make their way inside the internal workings of your dishwasher and start to cause build-up. The filters in your dishwasher could get clogged up. All the inside pipes can be affected.
What Happens If You Use Dish Soap?
If you’ve already made the mistake (no judgment—we’ve all been there), here’s what you’re likely dealing with:
- Suds Explosion: Even a small amount of dish soap can create a mountain of bubbles inside the dishwasher. These suds can overflow through the door seals, spilling onto your kitchen floor and potentially damaging cabinets or flooring. I’ve heard stories of kitchens looking like a bubble bath gone wrong
- Clogged Components: The excess suds can clog the dishwasher’s filters, pumps, or hoses. Over time, this buildup can reduce cleaning efficiency, cause the machine to overheat, or even lead to costly repairs.
- Residue on Dishes: Dish soap doesn’t rinse off as cleanly in a dishwasher as it does when hand-washing with a sponge. You might end up with a soapy film or greasy residue on your dishes, which can affect their taste and safety. Nobody wants a soapy aftertaste in their morning coffee.
- Potential Damage: While a one-time mistake probably won’t destroy your dishwasher, repeated use of dish soap could lead to soap scum buildup, clogged plumbing, or even electrical issues if suds reach the control panel. In some cases, using the wrong product might void your warranty.
How to Fix the Mistake
If you’ve accidentally used dish soap and your kitchen is now a sudsy mess, don’t panic. Follow these steps to clean up and get your dishwasher back to normal:
- Stop the Dishwasher Immediately: As soon as you notice bubbles or hear the machine struggling, cancel the cycle. This minimizes the mess and prevents suds from spreading further. Press the “Cancel” or “Drain” button, or unplug the machine if necessary.
- Clean Up Spills: Grab some towels (you’ll need a few) and mop up any suds or water that have spilled onto the floor. Lay dry towels in front of the dishwasher to catch any overflow when you open the door.
- Remove Dishes: Carefully open the dishwasher (watch for hot water!) and take out all dishes, glasses, and utensils. They’ll likely be covered in soap suds, so place them in the sink for a thorough rinse with warm water later.
- Scoop Out Suds: Use a small bowl or cup to scoop out as many bubbles as possible from the dishwasher’s interior. Check the detergent dispenser, corners, and crevices where suds might hide. A wet/dry vacuum can be a lifesaver for this step if you have one.
- Neutralize Remaining Suds: Pour ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar or ¼ cup of vegetable oil into the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Vinegar breaks down soap suds, while oil suppresses them by giving bubbles something to cling to. Run a quick rinse cycle (3–5 minutes) without detergent or dishes. Check for suds afterward—if they’re still present, repeat this step.
- Run Additional Rinse Cycles: Once the suds are gone, run another rinse cycle with plain water to flush out any lingering soap residue. You might need to do this 2–3 times to ensure the dishwasher is completely clean.
- Clean the Interior: Wipe down the dishwasher’s interior, including the door seals, racks, and filter (if removable), to remove any soap scum. Consider running a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner like affresh® for a thorough refresh.
- Rinse Dishes by Hand: Wash the dishes you removed in the sink with warm water to clear away soap residue. They should be safe to reload into the dishwasher once it’s clean.
If suds persist or you notice error codes (like “E4” or “F8” on some models), you may need to consult your dishwasher’s manual or contact a professional technician, as soap may have reached internal components.
How to Fix a Dishwasher After Using Dish Soap
Safe Alternatives If You’re Out of Detergent
Running out of dishwasher detergent is frustrating, but dish soap isn’t the answer. Here’s a safer alternative for emergencies:
- Baking Soda and a Drop of Dish Soap: Fill the detergent compartment ¾ full with baking soda, then add 2–3 drops of dish soap (no more!). The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to clean dishes and helps control suds, while the tiny amount of dish soap tackles grease. Run a normal cycle, but monitor for excessive sudsing. Add a tablespoon of kosher salt for extra scrubbing power if dealing with stuck-on food. Note: This is a one-time fix—regular use of baking soda can scratch delicate dishes or glassware over time.
- Vinegar or Borax: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of borax or pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher before running a cycle. These can help remove stains and odors but aren’t as effective as proper detergent.
- Hand-Washing: If you’re unsure about substitutes, hand-wash your dishes until you can restock on dishwasher detergent. It’s safer and ensures your dishes come out clean.
Avoid using other household soaps like hand soap, shampoo, body wash, or laundry detergent—they’re not food-safe and can cause similar sudsing issues or health risks.
More related recommendations:
- How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?
- Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining?
How to Prevent Future Mix-Ups
To avoid a repeat performance, try these tips:
- Store Products Separately: Keep dish soap and dishwasher detergent in different locations (e.g., dish soap under the sink, detergent in a pantry). This reduces the chance of grabbing the wrong bottle in a rush.
- Label Clearly: If you use liquid dishwasher detergent, label it clearly or choose pods to eliminate confusion.
- Educate Your Household: Make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between dish soap and dishwasher detergent. A quick chat can save a lot of cleanup.
- Preload Detergent: After unloading clean dishes, preload the detergent compartment with a pod or powder so it’s ready for the next load.
- Stock Up: Keep a spare pack of dishwasher detergent on hand. Brands like Finish or Cascade are widely recommended by manufacturers for consistent performance.
Can you put a tiny bit of dish soap in the dishwasher?
Dish soap, by contrast, lacks these specialized enzymes and creates too many suds, making it unsuitable for dishwasher use. Using the right product not only ensures clean dishes but also protects the integrity of your appliance.
Can you use a dishwasher without adding detergent?
You can use a dishwasher without detergent but your dishes will only be rinsed and not cleaned of grease or other soil. Dishwasher detergent is specifically formulated to clean dishes.
How do I fix my dishwasher after using dish soap?
Pour in a cup or 2 of white vinegar into the dishwasher and that will get rid of the suds in the dishwasher. Then just add hot water if there isn’t enough left in the dishwasher (manually by cups) and run a cycle and the unit should get rid of all the suds and finish the cycle.
Why is my dishwasher not draining after using dish soap?
If you accidentally put normal dish soap in the dishwasher, the amount of sudsing bubbles created can interfere with your drain. Fortunately, this fix is simple. Wipe down the inside of your dishwasher and clean out the soap tray. Then run the dishwasher empty with a dash of dishwasher detergent instead.
How do you fix a dishwasher that has dish soap in it?
Pour ½ to 1 cup of vinegar inside your dishwasher.
After a few minutes, check inside to see if the soap suds have begun to dissipate. If they haven’t, pour another ½ cup and start the normal wash cycle again. If that still doesn’t help, try adding another cup of vinegar, and repeating the normal wash cycle.
Conclusion
Using dish soap in a dishwasher might seem like a quick fix, but it’s a shortcut that leads to a foamy mess, potential appliance damage, and soapy dishes. Stick to dishwasher detergent for clean, sparkling results without the drama. If you’ve already made the mistake, follow the cleanup steps above, and you’ll have your dishwasher back in action in no time. And if you’re out of detergent, a pinch of baking soda with a drop of dish soap can get you through—but use it sparingly. Here’s to clean dishes and a suds-free kitchen!
