What To Do After Putting Dish Soap in Your Dishwasher
It’s one of those moments that happens to almost everyone at least once. You grab a bottle of dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent, squeeze some into the dispenser, press start, and a few minutes later, bubbles are spilling out of the dishwasher and onto your kitchen floor. It might look like a scene from a sitcom, but it’s not so funny when you’re dealing with slippery suds and a potential plumbing mess.
If you’ve accidentally put dish soap in your dishwasher, don’t panic. The situation looks worse than it is. The key is to act quickly and clean everything the right way to protect your dishwasher, your floors, and your plumbing. Here’s a complete, step-by-step guide from the professionals at Acme Plumbing Co. in Durham, NC, on what to do next and how to ensure your dishwasher keeps working properly.
Step 1: Stop the Dishwasher Immediately
The first thing you need to do is turn off the dishwasher right away. Press the cancel or stop button, or carefully open the door to pause the cycle. The longer the dishwasher runs, the more suds it will produce. Stopping it early keeps the foam from spreading and prevents water from overflowing onto the floor.
Once you’ve stopped the dishwasher, do not start it again just yet. You’ll need to remove the soap and suds before running another cycle. Leaving them inside can lead to more overflow and possible damage to internal components.
Step 2: Contain and Clean Up Any Overflow
Grab a few towels or a mop to soak up any water or suds that have spilled onto the floor. Soap bubbles can make your floors slippery, so it’s essential to dry the area promptly to prevent accidents.
Check underneath the dishwasher door as well. Sometimes, soapy water can seep into the baseboards or under nearby cabinets. Wiping up all the visible moisture now will help prevent long-term water damage or mold growth later.
If your kitchen has wood or laminate flooring, make sure to dry it completely. Soap and water can seep into seams and cause warping if left untreated.
Step 3: Remove the Soapy Water from Inside the Dishwasher
Once the outside mess is handled, focus on what’s inside the dishwasher. Scoop out as much of the soapy water and foam as you can. Use a bowl, cup, or small container to remove the liquid from the bottom of the unit, and place it in the sink.
After removing the excess water, grab a few clean towels or a sponge to wipe down the inside walls and door. Try to get rid of as many bubbles as possible before you move to the next step. This will make it easier to rinse everything clean.
If your dishwasher has a removable filter at the bottom, take it out and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Soap residue can get trapped there and continue to foam during your next wash cycle.
Step 4: Rinse Out the Dishwasher
Once you’ve cleared out the soap and suds, the next step is to rinse the inside. Fill a bowl or small bucket with cold water and pour it into the bottom of the dishwasher. Close the door and run a short rinse cycle (no detergent, just water).
Cold water works best because it reduces suds. Hot water can make the soap lather more, which you definitely don’t want right now.
After the cycle runs, open the door and check for any remaining foam or soap residue. If you still see bubbles or feel a slippery film, repeat the rinse process until the inside of the dishwasher is completely clean.
Step 5: Use Vinegar to Break Down Leftover Soap Residue
If a regular rinse doesn’t remove all the soap, vinegar is your best friend. Pour about two cups of white vinegar directly into the bottom of the dishwasher, then run another short rinse cycle with cold or warm water.
The acidity of vinegar helps neutralize soap residue and cuts through any lingering film on the interior surfaces. It also helps remove any odors that might come from the soapy mess.
When the rinse cycle is done, wipe the interior dry with a towel. Check the racks, spray arms, and door seal to make sure there’s no leftover residue.
Step 6: Check for Drainage or Leak Issues
Sometimes, using regular dish soap can cause small blockages in the drain line or air gap, especially if the foam pushes debris into the system. After cleaning up, check that your dishwasher is draining properly.
You can test this by running a normal rinse cycle with no detergent and watching to see if the water drains completely at the end. If you notice standing water or hear gurgling sounds from the sink, it might mean there’s a partial clog.
That’s a good time to call Acme Plumbing Co. Our plumbers in Durham can inspect the drain connections, clear out soap buildup, and make sure the dishwasher and sink lines are working correctly.
Step 7: Learn Why This Happens
Dish soap is designed for handwashing dishes, not for dishwashers. The key difference lies in how the soaps are formulated. Regular dish soap creates foam to help scrub off grease when you’re washing by hand. Dishwasher detergents, on the other hand, are made to clean without producing suds.
Inside a dishwasher, the high-pressure water spray agitates the soap much more than in a sink. That agitation makes the bubbles multiply quickly, and the machine can’t drain them away fast enough. The result is an overflow that can spill onto the floor, leak into electrical parts, and cause damage if not cleaned promptly.
Even a small amount of liquid dish soap can create a huge foamy mess. That’s why it’s always important to double-check the bottle before you load up the dishwasher next time.
Step 8: Prevent It from Happening Again
Mistakes happen, but there are easy ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Keep your dishwasher detergent and dish soap in separate locations. Store dishwasher detergent above or beside the appliance, and keep handwashing soap under the sink.
If you have family members or roommates who also load the dishwasher, label the bottles clearly or use dishwasher pods instead of liquid detergent. Pods are easy to use and eliminate the risk of mixing up the wrong soap.
Step 9: When to Call a Professional Plumber
Most soap overflow situations can be handled with a little time and elbow grease. But sometimes the problem doesn’t end there. If your dishwasher won’t drain, smells bad after cleaning, or leaks again the next time you use it, that’s a sign something deeper might be wrong.
Soap residue can sometimes harden inside pipes or filters, blocking the flow of water. It can also get into electrical parts, causing the dishwasher to malfunction. That’s where a professional inspection from Acme Plumbing Co. can help.
Our Durham-based plumbing team has experience fixing dishwashers and drain systems affected by soap mishaps. We’ll make sure everything is cleaned out, tested, and safe to use again.
What to Do If the Dishwasher Keeps Foaming Even After Cleaning
If you’ve cleaned your dishwasher and the next cycle still produces foam, it could mean that soap is trapped in areas you can’t reach, like the spray arms or hoses.
Try running a rinse cycle with one cup of white vinegar and a few tablespoons of salt. This combination helps neutralize the remaining soap film. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call a professional to inspect the machine and plumbing connections.
Persistent foam may indicate a bigger problem, such as a blocked vent or drain hose, that requires professional attention.
Quick Summary of What to Do After Putting Dish Soap in the Dishwasher
- Turn off the dishwasher immediately.
- Clean up any overflow on the floor.
- Scoop out soap and water from inside the dishwasher.
- Rinse with cold water to remove residue.
- Run a vinegar rinse to clear leftover soap.
- Check for drainage or leaks.
- Call a plumber if water isn’t draining or foam returns.
Acting quickly can save your dishwasher and prevent water damage in your kitchen.
FAQs About Dish Soap in the Dishwasher
1. Can dish soap permanently damage my dishwasher?
Not usually, but it can cause leaks or clog the drain system if not cleaned out properly. Quick action prevents lasting damage.
2. Why does cold water help remove suds faster?
Cold water prevents soap from lathering more, which helps rinse it out more efficiently compared to hot water.
3. Is vinegar safe for my dishwasher?
Yes, vinegar is safe and effective for breaking down soap residue and removing film from the interior of the unit.
4. Can soap bubbles damage the flooring around the dishwasher?
Yes, standing soapy water can seep into flooring seams and cause swelling or discoloration. Always dry the area completely.
5. What if I keep seeing suds after several rinse cycles?
That means soap residue is still inside your dishwasher’s drain or spray arms. A professional plumber can clean it out safely.
Dishwasher overflowing with bubbles? Call Acme Plumbing Co. at (919) 688-1348 for fast, expert help in Durham, NC today.