Can You Use Dish Soap in a Dishwasher? What to Do When You’re Out of Detergent, According to Plumbers

Kelly Kuehn
Kelly Kuehn
Kelly Kuehn is a freelance lifestyle writer who has written about pets, holidays, decor, music, and more. Her work has appeared online for brands including Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, and Grunge. When she's not writing, you can find her listening to a true crime podcast (or…read more
published Jan 27, 2025
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Picture this: You load the dishwasher with your day’s worth of dishes, excited to clear out the sink and get some clean dishware in your cabinets — you reach for the dishwasher detergent only to realize you’re fresh out. Ugh. Now what? 

You scan the sink in a desperate moment, hoping to spot something that can get these dishes clean. Suddenly, you spot the dish soap. It seems like a good solution, but you immediately think: “Can you put dish soap in a dishwasher?”

It’s a good question, and one you should definitely ask before you actually put it in the dishwasher. I chatted with a few appliance experts about what happens if you add dish soap to one of your most beloved appliances — and it’s a whole lot messier than you might expect. 

Quick Overview

Should You Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher?

No, you should never put dish soap in the dishwasher when you run out of dishwasher detergent. Dish soap creates excess suds, which can overflow, causing a soapy mess and potentially damaging your dishwasher.

Should You Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher?

No, you should not put dish soap in the dishwasher. “Dish soap creates excess suds, which can overflow, causing a soapy mess and potentially damage your dishwasher,” says Glenn Lewis, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company. Liquid dish soap and dishwasher detergent are two very different things and cannot be substituted for one another

“The difference is huge, and it’s all about chemistry,” says Danny Pen, president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC. “Dishwasher detergents are low-sudsing and alkaline, designed to cut through grease with precision in high temperatures. They also have enzymes that help break down tough food stains like proteins and starches. Dish soap, on the other hand, doesn’t have enzymes and makes a lot of foam.” 

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

What Happens if You Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher? 

So, you can’t put dish soap in the dishwasher. But why, exactly? Two reasons — you’ll end up in foamy chaos, and risk breaking your dishwasher. Dish soap foams up and creates lots of bubbles when you’re washing dishes by hand. If you put dish soap in the inner soap dispenser and let the dishwasher run, a ton of bubbles will form. According to Pen, this sudsy influx will overwhelm the machine and possibly damage its electrical components — all while leaving your kitchen floor covered in foam. 

What Should You Do if You Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher? 

Act quick! Pen offers this guidance for fixing this slippery situation: 

1. Stop the cycle. 

2. Place a towel at the base of the dishwasher to catch any overflow. 

3. Open the dishwasher door carefully — expect suds to come out.

4. Remove the dishes and place them in the sink. 

5. Use a bowl to scoop out as much sudsy water as possible. 

6. Use a different towel to wipe down the inside of the dishwasher and soak up the remaining foam. 

7. Remove the filter and rinse it with warm water, as it will trap lots of suds. Pop it back into the dishwasher once it’s rinsed.  

8. Check the spray arms — if they’re clogged, use a towel to remove the residue. 

9. Run a short rinse cycle with cold water; hot water creates more suds.

10. Rinse your dishes in the sink if they’re still foamy and place them back in the dishwasher once it’s bubble-free. 

The key is to get as much of the dish soap residue out of your dishwasher as possible to prevent future sudsing and avoid funky smells, Pen says. 

What Can You Use if You Run Out of Dishwasher Detergent?

While you can use dishwasher detergent substitutes in a pinch, you shouldn’t use them consistently. “Today’s dishwashers are engineered to use dishwasher detergents with specific ingredients that are used at specific times during the various wash cycles,” Lewis says. If you use a substitute too often, it could damage and clog up your dishwasher. 

That being said, life happens. Sometimes you just need to run a load of dishes even if you’re all out of dishwashing detergent. If you need something ASAP, here’s a homemade recipe Pen recommends: 

  • 1 cup washing soda 
  • 1 cup of baking soda 
  • ½ cup of powdered citric acid 

Mix these together, store in an air-tight container, and use a tablespoon or two when you run a normal cycle. Then, add “dishwasher detergent” to your grocery list. 

Credit: Sarah Crowley

The 3 Best Dishwasher Detergents, According to a Pro

When it comes to real dishwasher detergents, Pen recommends researching ones that are more sustainable and made with fewer harsh chemicals. 

“For performance and environmental consciousness, I recommend brands like Blueland (eco-friendly tablets), Molly’s Suds (gentle but powerful), and Cascade Platinum (for those who want a powerhouse cleaner without compromise),” he says. “All three offer great cleaning with a minimal impact on the planet and your appliance.”