UPDATE: A viral incident is sparking urgent warnings about a common mistake that could damage your dishwasher. Social media user Alison Hall revealed the chaos that ensued after she mistakenly used dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent while washing dishes.
In a captivating Instagram post, Hall shared how her innocent decision led to a frothy explosion in her kitchen. Struggling to cope with the aftermath, she explained, “I knew it deep down in my bones… But yesterday we were out of dishwasher detergent and I thought maybe just a little bit of dish soap isn’t going to hurt. It hurt.”
The mishap, which occurred just yesterday, led to foam spilling out of her dishwasher and caused it to malfunction. Hall noted that the appliance displayed an error sign and refused to drain properly. “After emptying all the suds by hand and a few cycles, it is finally draining and refilling properly again,” she said.
Why This Matters NOW: With many households relying on dishwashers for convenience, this incident serves as a critical reminder about proper appliance care. Using the wrong cleaning agent can lead to not just messes, but costly repairs. Dishwasher detergents are formulated to avoid suds that can disrupt the machine’s mechanics, unlike regular dish soap.
If you find yourself in a similar predicament, experts offer immediate steps to mitigate the damage:
1. **Stop the wash cycle**: As soon as you realize the error, halt the cycle to prevent further suds from overflowing. If there is already spillage, soak up the sudsy water with towels.
2. **Empty the dishwasher**: After stopping the cycle, hit the drain button to remove any residual water. Open the appliance and take out all the dishes.
3. **Use cooking oil**: To eliminate remaining soap, pour about 60ml (1/4 cup) of vegetable oil into the base of the dishwasher. Run a quick wash cycle with the machine empty, without any detergent.
4. **Run another cycle**: Once the bubbles are gone, experts recommend running one more wash cycle to ensure all soap residue has been cleared.
Hall’s experience is a reminder of the importance of following manufacturer guidelines when using household appliances. Dishwasher detergent is specifically designed to clean dishes without generating excessive suds or causing internal problems.
With dishwashers becoming essential in modern kitchens, it’s vital to understand the products that can be safely used in them. As Hall humorously notes, “Go easy on me, I realize this was a BIG mistake.”
Stay informed and share this critical warning with friends and family to prevent similar mishaps. Your dishwasher will thank you!
