Can you use dishwashing liquid in a dishwasher?

Quick answer: no. Hand dishwashing liquid is designed to make lots of foam. Inside a dishwasher, water is sprayed hard and continuously, creating so much foam that it can overflow from the door onto the floor, clean poorly or trigger errors. Dishwashers need dedicated dishwasher tablets, powder or gel.

What does a dishwasher need?

Product	Purpose
Dishwasher tablets, powder or gel	Cleans dishes with a low-foam formula
Dishwasher salt	Keeps the water softener working, reducing white residue
Rinse aid	Helps dishes and glasses dry faster with fewer water marks

Some “all-in-one” tablets combine several functions. Check your dishwasher maker’s guide to see what your machine needs.

Added dishwashing liquid by mistake?

1. Switch off as soon as you see foam overflowing.
2. Wipe out the foam inside the machine and around the door.
3. Pour a few cups of cold water into the machine and run a short rinse (no detergent), repeating until the foam is gone.
4. Dry the floor around the machine.

So when do you use dishwashing liquid?

You still need it in a kitchen with a dishwasher:

• Hand-washing large pots, pans, knives, chopping boards, wooden items and anything not dishwasher-safe.
• Pre-rinsing very dirty dishes before loading (with water only, no dishwashing liquid).
• Washing a few odd items when there aren’t enough for a full load.

For example, SPY Dishwashing Liquid removes grease, dried starch and fishy smells, for ceramics, glass, stainless steel, aluminium, iron and plastic. Scents: Cinnamon, Ginger & Lemongrass and Unscented; the 1L bottle also comes in Peppermint and Himalayan pink salt.

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