Standard dish soap can leave imperceptible damage on some surfaces. An expert named five items for which it is better to choose other cleaning agents.
5 things you shouldn’t clean with dish soap / © Pexels
Dish soap is often used not only in the kitchen but also during general house cleaning. It is effective against grease and grime, but it is not suitable for all surfaces. Cleaning expert and owner of a cleaning company, Stephanie Phillips, named five items that should not be cleaned with this detergent and explained what to use instead.
This was reported by the publication martha stewart.
Wooden Furniture
Contrary to popular belief, dish soap is not suitable for regular maintenance of wooden furniture. According to the expert, harsh cleaning components can strip away the natural oils that protect the wood surface. This can gradually make the material dry and dull, and over time it may lose its shine, crack, or even deform. Furthermore, the detergent can leave a residue that is difficult to remove completely and can cause discoloration of the surface.
Stephanie Phillips recommends using a specialized wood polish approximately once a month, applying it to a clean cloth. She also advises covering wooden dining tables during meals to prevent heavy soiling and the need for intensive cleaning.
Leather Goods
Leather also requires special care. While dish soap effectively dissolves grease, this is precisely what can harm leather items. It removes the natural oils that keep the material soft and protected.
As a result, the leather can dry out, become brittle, and develop cracks. Therefore, for cleaning such surfaces, the expert recommends using specialized leather care products and always applying a conditioner after cleaning.
Carpets
Dish soap is also not the best choice for removing stains from carpets. The main issue is that it is difficult to wash out completely from the pile. Residual detergent can accumulate in the fibers and attract dust and dirt, causing the carpet to look soiled again more quickly.
According to Stephanie Phillips, it is better to use specialized cleaning agents for carpets. For biological stains, she recommends enzymatic cleaners, and for other types of dirt, universal carpet cleaners followed by cleaning with a carpet washing machine.
Washing Machine
The expert emphasizes that dish soap should not be used as a substitute for laundry powder or gel. It produces significantly more foam than intended for the operation of a washing machine. This can cause foam to overflow, create a mess, and even negatively affect the appliance’s performance.
Additionally, excessive foam hinders effective rinsing of clothes, potentially leaving detergent residue on the fabric. However, dish soap can be used locally – for instance, by applying a small amount to a greasy stain before washing, and then washing the item with regular laundry detergent.
Dishwasher
An equally common mistake is using regular dish soap in a dishwasher. The reason is the same: it creates too much foam. In contrast, specialized tablets, capsules, or gels for dishwashers have low foaming properties and are designed specifically for use with such appliances.
If a specialized detergent is not available, the expert advises against experimenting and simply washing the dishes by hand. This will help avoid excessive foam and potential problems with the dishwasher’s operation.
Recall that a whole and clean egg is not always safe to consume. Experts have explained how temperature fluctuations, condensation, and bacteria can lead to its spoilage without visible signs.
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