15 Things Never to Wash with Dish Soap

You may be tempted to use dish soap on everything, as it is something you always have on hand. It seems to work well and is less expensive than other cleaners. You may even think it is safe since you use it in dishes.

Yet surprisingly, there are many things you should never wash with Dishes soap. Cleaning them this way could accidentally ruin things, or make them even more difficult to clean. Worse, when used incorrectly, it could cause physical problems for you and your pets.

While dish soap is still a must-have in any kitchen, you’ll think twice about using it on certain things in the future.

Things that should never be washed with dish soap

Knowledge what not to wash with dish soap it will protect your family, your belongings and even the taste of your food.

1. Coffee maker

There are a couple of reasons why you shouldn’t wash your coffee pot with dish soap. The first reason is that it can leave a tough residue to rinse off. Even when you think you’ve taken it all away, there’s probably still a soap flavor left in your next two cans.

The other reason depends on your coffee maker. Many coffee makers have a coating that makes the coffee taste better and prevents the sides of the pot from burning. Washing with dish soap will remove this layer over time.

2. Your pet

You should not wash your pets with this type of soap, but it is especially harmful to dogs. A dog’s skin will become dry and irritated, causing it to itch all over. Also, it can damage their fur, leaving their skin exposed in some areas.

3. Windows or mirrors

While this soap will remove build-up from windows and mirrors, it still won’t look good. Since it is not designed to clean glass, it will cause streaks that are difficult to remove. Instead, save yourself some time and hassle and opt for the glass cleaner at first.

4. Food

While you may think that washing your fruits and vegetables with this soap will be beneficial, it is not. Fruits and vegetables have pores that soap can easily get into. This will be impossible to rinse off, leaving you to consume the soap completely.

Not only will this taste bad, but it could also have physical effects. It could cause gastrointestinal problems or nausea.

5. Your dishwasher

Soap cannot be used instead of dish soap. Soap is much foamier and will produce too many bubbles for the dishwasher. The way the dishwasher rinses the dishes will also not effectively remove all the soap scum.

It is also important to note that using soap in the dishwasher can damage it. All the soap buildup and expanding suds can cause your machine to stop working properly.

6. Your face

It is important to wash your face, but it is also important to use the right cleanser. Dish soap is not the answer you are looking for. It removes the natural oil from your skin, leaving your skin exposed and vulnerable.

7. A cast iron skillet

Cast iron pans have a layer of seasoned oil on the surface. This layer is removed when soap is used, causing it to heat unevenly and change the taste of food.

8. Plants

Many people believe that soap is safe for plants rather than an insecticide, but that is not true. Soap is strong and can kill plants, and it doesn’t seem to keep pests away either. As you can see, there is really no benefit to using soap on your plants.

9. Your car

Since you spend a lot of time in your car, you want it to look good on the outside and inside. In a pinch, dish soap may seem like an easy option to wash it off. However, it would be useful to avoid this because it is not good for the car.

First, the soap is too strong and can damage the paint. Plus, it can also ruin any protective wax you may have on your car. This is not the case, however, as soap can also leave stains on your car that are seemingly impossible to remove.

10. Washing machine

Dish soap is too strong to use regularly. your body. It will dry out your skin and could cause a rash.

While wearing it once may not hurt, you shouldn’t make it a habit. Not only would it be uncomfortable, but it could lead to others conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

13. Your hair

Like many other things mentioned above, dish soap is too harsh to use on hair. It will remove the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Furthermore, it can also make your scalp flaky, itchy and irritated.

14. Silk

Silk is a delicate material that must be treated as such. This means that using a strong dish soap on your silk clothes should never happen. It will ruin the fabric and cause it to fall apart much faster.

15. Leather

Like silk, leather must be treated delicately. The chemicals found in dish soap will quickly destroy leather by drying it out. Cracks will appear when the natural oil from the leather wears off, ruining the look entirely.

Surprising things you can use dish soap for

While there are many things you should never wash with dish soap, don’t throw them out just yet. Many amazing uses will make your life easier and your home cleaner.

How to thaw

If you are preparing for a slippery sidewalk or stairs, you can use dish soap as a remedy. Mix a little dish soap with a little rubbing alcohol and a half gallon of warm water.

Stir everything up and then pour it onto sidewalks and stairs. You need to do this before the soil gets cold and wet, so it won’t work if you don’t plan it.

Capture fruit flies

If you notice a couple of fruit flies in your kitchen, you know there will be many more in no time. To overcome this problem, fill a container with white vinegar and add a couple of drops of dish soap.

Leave it on the counter for a full day. You will catch fruit flies because they are attracted to vinegar but stick to soap. If you do this as soon as you observe the fruit flies, they won’t even have a chance to multiply.

To kill weeds

As explained before, dish soap can kill plants. So it only makes sense that can also kill weeds. Mix half a gallon of white vinegar with a little salt and a little soap. Then pour the mixture over the weeds and they will die quickly.

To kill fleas and ticks

While you shouldn’t regularly wash your pet with this soap, it does help eliminate fleas and ticks. Fleas can’t resist dish soap and your pet will be able to get some relief.

Unclog a toilet

If you don’t have a plunger or just don’t want to use one, you can use dish soap instead. To do this, you will flush a cup of soap down the toilet and let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Next, take a bucket of hot water and keep it at waist level. Flush him down the toilet, keeping him at waist level, forcing him to flush.

Final thoughts on things that should never be washed with dish soap (and why)

Remember these tips the next time you want to use dish soap for anything other than dishes. If it bothers you that you have been ruined or that you are cleaning a human or pet, avoid the dish soap. Stick to cleaners made specifically for those things so you don’t risk a bad situation.