Stop Cleaning These Things With Dish Soap!

Dish soap is a versatile cleaner found in nearly every household, but its powerful degreasing action can damage certain surfaces and items. Here are 12 things you should avoid cleaning with dish soap to keep them in top shape.

1. Hair

Dish soap's grease-cutting capabilities make it effective for dishes, but too harsh for your hair. It strips away natural oils, leading to dryness and damage, especially for color-treated hair. Opt for a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo instead.

2. Hardwood Floors

While dish soap is good for some floors, it can leave a filmy residue on hardwood. This not only dulls the finish but can also make the surface slippery and prone to damage. Use a cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors to maintain their shine and integrity.

3. Dishwasher

Using dish soap in your dishwasher is a recipe for disaster. It creates a foamy mess that can damage your machine and leave residue on your dishes. Always use a detergent made for dishwashers to ensure proper cleanliness without harming your appliance.

4. Your Face

Your skin, like your hair, needs its natural oils to stay healthy. Dish soap removes these oils, which can lead to dryness and irritation. A mild facial cleanser is a better choice for keeping your skin clean without stripping it of essential moisture.

5. Leather

Dish soap can remove the natural oils from leather, leading to cracks and a dull appearance. For leather items like shoes, bags, and car seats, use a specially formulated leather cleaner and conditioner to keep them supple and durable.

6. Dogs

Though dish soap is used to clean wildlife affected by oil spills, it's too harsh for regular use on pets; it can dry out your dog's skin and coat. Use a dog-specific shampoo to keep your pet clean and healthy without irritating their skin.

7. Plants

Many DIY insecticidal soap recipes use dish soap, but most are too harsh for plants and don't effectively ward off pests. Use a true insecticidal soap, which is formulated to be gentle on plants while being lethal to insects.

8. Silk Clothing

Silk is a delicate fabric that requires gentle care. Dish soap can damage its fibers and dull its finish. Use a detergent specifically for delicate fabrics to preserve your silk clothing's quality and appearance.

9. Cast-Iron Cookware

Dish soap can strip away the seasoning on cast-iron pans, which is essential for their non-stick properties. Clean cast-iron with hot water and a brush or use a salt scrub for tough residues.

10. Mirrors

Dish soap leaves streaks on mirrors that are hard to remove. To keep your mirrors sparkling and streak-free, use a glass cleaner that is designed for this purpose.

11. Cars

Washing your car with dish soap can strip away the protective wax coating, leading to a dull finish and increased vulnerability to weather damage. Use a car wash soap that is formulated to be gentle on the paint while effectively removing dirt.

12. Coffee Makers

Using dish soap in coffee makers can leave behind a soapy residue that's hard to rinse out, especially in the water tank. A vinegar solution is a better alternative for cleaning coffee makers, ensuring a thorough clean without any leftover soap taste.

Dish soap is a fantastic all-purpose cleaner for many things, but it's not suitable for everything. Knowing what to avoid can help keep your belongings in the best condition possible.

References: 11 Things You Probably Shouldn't Clean with Dish Soap | 12 Surprising Items You Should Never Clean with Dish Soap