Can You Use Dish Soap In A Dishwasher?

Conventional wisdom says no, you can’t use dish soap in a dishwasher. That’s good advice (and you’ll find out why shortly), but there is an exception that’s worth being aware of.

You CAN use dish soap in a dishwasher - if you do it right!

I’ve written extensively about dishwashing here on my blog, including posts about how to clean your dishwasher and how to make your own dishwashing detergent. (My free dishwasher tips printable has plenty of useful pointers too!)

In this post, I aim to draw on my years of dishwashing research and expertise to answer one common question: can you use dish soap in a dishwasher? To better understand why dish soap isn’t meant to be used in dishwashers (and why there’s an exception to that rule), we’ll start by exploring the differences between dishwasher detergent and dish soap.

If you run out of dishwasher tabs, you can use dish soap in your dishwasher - but no more than half a teaspoon!

Dish Soap And Dishwasher Detergent: What’s The Difference?

Dish soaps are concentrated because they’re meant to be used with plenty of water. They generate a lot of suds to break down stubborn food residues and make it easy to wash dishes by hand.

Dishwasher detergent, on the other hand, is powered by enzymes and requires less water to perform effectively. It’s designed for use in dishwashers that use less water than traditional means.

You can use dish soap in a dishwasher, but don't use laundry detergent!

Can You Use Dish Soap In A Dishwasher If You Run Out Of Detergent?

If you haven’t ever put liquid dish soap in your dishwasher, you may have heard horror stories from someone who has. The sight of thick suds oozing out of your dishwasher is something you won’t soon forget! (I know this from firsthand experience, unfortunately!)

This scenario usually comes about in one of two ways — it’s an honest accident (i.e. someone mistook liquid soap for liquid detergent) or was done out of necessity (i.e. someone realized they were out of detergent and used dish soap instead).

While dish soap and dishwasher detergent are not interchangeable, there is a way to use dish soap as an alternative to dishwasher detergent if you find yourself in dire straits.

Note: Dish soap can be handy in a pinch, but you should avoid using other types of soap or detergent in your dishwasher (ex. shampoo, body wash, hand soap, etc.)

A bottle of Dawn dish soap, a jug of Heinz distilled white vinegar, and a container of Oxy cleaner are placed on a kitchen counter, ready to tackle any mess. Just remember, never use dish soap in a dishwasher as it can cause excessive suds and potential damage.

What To Use Instead Of Dishwasher Detergent In An Emergency

If you’re in a bind, the following cleaning agents can be used as a stand-in for dishwasher detergent:

1 tsp oxygen bleach
1/2 tsp Dawn dish soap
1/2 cup white vinegar

Add the oxygen bleach and dish soap to your dishwasher’s detergent dispenser, then pour the vinegar into a small bowl and place it on the top rack. (Even this minuscule amount of dish soap will produce suds in your dishwasher, but not in problematic amounts.)

The bottom line: You can use regular dish soap in your dishwasher, but only a very small amount and only if you need to. You won’t get the same results as dishwasher detergent, but it’s better than nothing!

How It Works

Oxygen bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that helps break down proteins at the molecular level.
Dawn dish soap is a great grease-cutter and makes short work of oily residues.
White vinegar helps fight hard water and prevents mineral deposits, water spots, and chalky films from forming on dishes.

Jillee’s Take:

It should come as no surprise that I was inspired to find a suitable emergency substitute for dishwasher detergent after realizing I was out of my usual detergent. It’s not something I would recommend using regularly, but it’s a useful trick to have up your sleeve when you find yourself in a bind!

Did you accidentally put dish soap in the dishwasher? Get some towels and start mopping up suds!

Accidentally Used Dish Soap Instead Of Detergent? Here’s What To Do

The first thing you should do is stop your dishwasher.
Use towels to mop up suds and water from the floor, if needed.
Open the dishwasher and clear the suds and water out of the bottom of the dishwasher. (A wet/dry vac is great for this.)
Wipe any remaining dish soap out of the detergent dispenser.
Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher to prevent further suds.
Close your dishwasher and run a rinse cycle.
If there are still suds at the bottom of the dishwasher, repeat steps 5 and 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Necessary To Use Soap In A Dishwasher?

It’s not necessary to use soap in a dishwasher, but it is necessary to use detergent. The detergent helps eliminate stubborn food particles and greasy residues that water alone can’t dissolve. Additionally, continually running your dishwasher without detergent can lead to grease and limescale buildup and even void your warranty.

Will Liquid Dish Soap Ruin A Dishwasher?

A single dish soap mixup is unlikely to ruin your dishwasher, but it will make quite a mess!

Is It Safe To Use Dawn Dish Soap In A Dishwasher?

The only safe way to use Dawn dish soap in a dishwasher (or any dish soap, for that matter) is by following the method outlined earlier in this post.

If I Run Out Of Dishwasher Detergent, What Can I Use Instead?

In an emergency, you can use 1 teaspoon of oxygen bleach, 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap, and 1/2 cup of white vinegar according to the instructions provided above. (No oxygen bleach? Try a couple of tablespoons of baking soda.)

Is There An Effective And Frugal Alternative To Dishwasher Detergent?

Try making homemade dishwasher detergent or homemade dishwasher pods. They’re easy to make and super inexpensive!

Conclusion

While you should stick to using dishwasher detergent in your dishwasher, a combination of dish soap, oxygen bleach, and vinegar can come in handy in a pinch. It’s not a perfect alternative by any means, but it’s a useful trick to know!

Have you ever used dish soap in your dishwasher by accident?