Understanding the Dangers of Using Liquid Dish Soap in Dishwashers
Do you know that many people mistakenly use liquid dish soap in dishwashers? While it might seem like a good idea to fill the dishwasher with liquid dish soap for a sudsing boost, the reality is, it can lead to a wet and soap-filled mess on your kitchen floor. Residences dishwashers, with their vented cavities, trap much of the suds inside, causing a potential disaster.
Dishwashing detergent is specifically designed to have de-sudsing agents, which means it doesn't create as many suds as liquid dish soap. As a result, you can only generate so much suds within the dishwasher cavity before they start dripping out onto the floor. This is a common issue, especially if you've run out of dishwashing detergent and HE laundry detergent is not adequate to replace it in a dishwasher.
First-Hand Experience: Running Out of Dishwashing Detergent
Years ago, I encountered a situation where a customer ran out of dishwasher detergent and tried to substitute with HE laundry detergent. Interestingly, there were no apparent ill effects on the equipment. However, I've seen this happen with several customers, who, over the years, have found success in using HE laundry detergent when they run out of dishwasher detergent.
The Dangers of Using Liquid Dish Soap
One of the most recent incidents involved my own children. They tried using liquid dish soap in the dishwasher, leading to a night filled with bubble-filled havoc. It took them hours to clean up the mess, and more time to convince themselves that this wasn't a fun idea. But just like my customers, they eventually found success, albeit in a messier way.
After hours of cleaning, the kitchen was finally clean, and our landlord's floor had some unwelcome soap residues. Our landlord was both amused and irritated at the situation, especially as he refused to fix any issues with the apartment. As an Arkansas renter, this situation was all too familiar.
Why It's Not Advised to Use Liquid Dish Soap in Dishwashers
The substances in liquid dish soap are highly sudsing, which can lead to a host of problems. In my experience, these suds can ooze out, and the bubbles won't stop easily, even after the cycle is over. This can lead to a sticky, soapy floor that is a nightmare to clean. Moreover, the foam might come out from around the dishwasher door, making the mess even worse.
One person even tried using liquid dish soap and reported getting bubbles all over the place, with the soap coming out from the dishwasher door. This not only created a mess but also might damage your dishwasher over time. Thus, it is not recommended to use liquid dish soap in a dishwasher under any circumstances.
A Personal Anecdote from Childhood
Growing up in a country where dishwashers weren't a common sight, I experienced firsthand the hilarity and peril of using liquid dish soap in a dishwasher. When I first moved to an apartment with a dishwasher, I naively used liquid dish soap, leading to a dramatic "bubble foam party" in the kitchen. The landlord was both amused and perturbed by the situation, but he didn't take any action, which was all too familiar in my experience.
Other people have also shared their experiences of using liquid dish soap in their dishwashers. One person mentioned that no permanent damage was done, but the mess was notable. Another person advised against it, stating that it leads to soap bubbles all over the place, coming out from the dishwasher door and making a mess.
In conclusion, it is strongly advised to stick to dishwashing detergent when it comes to your dishwasher. Liquid dish soap can create more harm than good, leading to sudsing issues and potential damage to your dishwasher. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you're out of dishwashing detergent, exploring HE laundry detergent or other specific dishwasher detergents might be a better option.