Dish soap seems like the perfect cleaning product for almost anything – it cuts grease, smells nice, and sits ready by most kitchen sinks. But this handy cleaner can actually damage certain items around your home in ways that might surprise you. Using it on the wrong surfaces can lead to costly mistakes and ruined belongings.
While dish soap works wonders on your plates and glasses, it contains ingredients that can harm delicate materials, strip protective coatings, or cause discoloration. Knowing which household items should never meet your Dawn or Palmolive will save you from accidental damage and help your possessions last longer.
Cast Iron Pans
Dish soap strips away the seasoning on cast iron pans that gives them their non-stick quality and protects them from rust. The seasoning is a layer of oil that has bonded to the metal through heating, creating a natural non-stick surface. Instead, clean your cast iron with hot water and a stiff brush, then dry it completely and apply a thin layer of oil. This maintains the pan’s seasoning and extends its life for many years.
Wood Cutting Boards
The harsh detergents in dish soap can dry out wooden cutting boards, causing them to crack and split over time. These cracks can harbor bacteria, making your cutting board less safe to use. Clean wooden boards with a mixture of white vinegar and water, or salt and lemon, which naturally disinfect without damaging the wood. Occasionally treat your board with food-grade mineral oil to keep it hydrated and prevent cracking.
Mobile Phone Screens
Most phone screens have special coatings that resist fingerprints and smudges, and dish soap can damage these protective layers. The liquid can also seep into small openings in your phone and cause internal damage. Use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water or a screen-cleaning solution specifically designed for electronics. Remember to power off your phone before cleaning to avoid accidental taps and to better see smudges.
Marble Countertops
Marble is naturally porous and can be easily damaged by the acidic ingredients in many dish soaps. Over time, dish soap can etch the surface, creating dull spots and removing the shine from your beautiful countertops. Clean marble with warm water and a few drops of mild, pH-neutral cleaner made specifically for natural stone. Always dry the surface afterward to prevent water spots and staining.
Leather Furniture
Dish soap can strip away the natural oils in leather, causing it to dry out, crack, and age prematurely. The harsh detergents can also fade the color and damage the finish of your expensive leather furniture. Instead, use a cleaner specifically formulated for leather, followed by a leather conditioner to keep it supple. For light cleaning, simply wipe the leather with a slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately.
Hardwood Floors
The detergents in dish soap can damage the finish on hardwood floors and potentially seep into the seams, causing the wood to swell and warp. Water from overly wet mops can also penetrate into hardwood, leading to long-term damage. Use a cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood floors that won’t leave a residue or damage the finish. Always use a damp mop rather than a wet one, and dry any standing water immediately.
Eyeglasses with Special Coatings
Modern eyeglasses often have anti-reflective, anti-scratch, or UV-protective coatings that can be damaged by dish soap. The harsh ingredients can wear away these special coatings over time, reducing the effectiveness and lifespan of your expensive eyewear. Clean your glasses with a lens cleaner specifically designed for coated lenses, or use warm water and a tiny drop of lotion-free hand soap. Always dry them with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching.
Silver Jewelry
Dish soap can tarnish silver and damage gemstones in your favorite jewelry pieces. Some stones are porous and can absorb the chemicals in the soap, leading to discoloration or dulling. Use a jewelry cleaner designed specifically for silver, or make a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and a small amount of mild soap designed for delicate items. After cleaning, dry your silver thoroughly to prevent water spots and additional tarnishing.
Car Exteriors
Dish soap strips away the protective wax and sealants on your car’s paint, leaving it vulnerable to environmental damage and fading. The harsh detergents can also cause spotting and streaking on your car’s finish. Use automotive soap specifically designed for washing vehicles that will clean without removing the protective coatings. Always wash your car in the shade, using a microfiber wash mitt and drying with a clean microfiber towel to prevent water spots.
Silk Fabrics
The harsh detergents in dish soap can break down the delicate fibers in silk, causing color fading, texture changes, and overall deterioration of the fabric. Silk requires special care to maintain its luxurious feel and appearance. Hand-wash silk items in cool water with a detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. Always check the care label first, and when in doubt, take silk items to a professional dry cleaner.
Your Dishwasher
It may seem ironic, but you should never use regular dish soap in your dishwasher as a substitute for dishwasher detergent. Dish soap creates excessive suds that can overflow from your dishwasher, potentially causing water damage to your floors and cabinets. The excess foam can also damage the dishwasher’s pump and interfere with its normal operation. Always use detergent specifically formulated for dishwashers, which contains different cleaning agents and produces minimal suds.
Musical Instruments
Many musical instruments have delicate finishes, specialized oils, or sensitive components that can be damaged by the harsh ingredients in dish soap. Wooden instruments like guitars and violins need to maintain a specific moisture balance that dish soap can disrupt. Use cleaners specifically designed for your type of instrument, following manufacturer recommendations. For most instruments, a slightly damp microfiber cloth for the body and specialized tools for hard-to-reach areas will be sufficient.
Granite Countertops
Like marble, granite is a natural stone that can be damaged by the acidic ingredients commonly found in dish soaps. Over time, these acids can etch the surface and break down the sealant that protects your granite countertops from stains. Use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for granite or natural stone surfaces. Regular cleaning with the right products will help maintain the seal and keep your granite looking beautiful for years.
Fine China or Crystal
The delicate glazes on fine china and the clarity of crystal can be compromised by harsh dish soaps, especially through repeated washings. These special items often have gold or silver trim that can fade or wear away when exposed to abrasive detergents. Wash fine china and crystal by hand using warm water and a small amount of mild detergent specifically designed for delicate items. Dry each piece immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent water spots and maintain their beauty.
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