Can I Use Dishwashing Detergent to Wash Clothes?
Do you find yourself in a pinch, out of detergent for your clothes but have a spare bottle of dish soap? Is it fine to use dish soap to wash your clothes in a pinch? Generally, no – dishwashing detergents and laundry detergents are not the same, and are not formulated to do the same kinds of jobs. Here are a few things to consider before using dishwasher detergent to clean your clothes.
Dishwashing Soap and Clothes Detergents Are Different
Dishwashing soap is specifically designed to cut through grease and dissolve food particles, which are two concerns that are not typically addressed when washing clothes. On the other hand, laundry detergent specially formulated for clothes is better suited to handling the oils, perspiration, and other body soil residues that accumulate on clothes.
The Results Will Differ
Using dish soap to wash your clothes could result in:
- Detergent Buildup: Dish soap can build up on fabric and cause irritation on the skin.
- Stiff Clothes: The residue left by dishwashing detergent can make clothes stiff and uncomfortable
- Discoloration: Dish soaps are not safe to use on colors because they can strip clothing of its color.
- Greasy Clothes: Dishwasher detergent is designed to break down grease and so, if used on clothes, could result in greasy clothes.
So What Is the Solution?
If you don’t have a specific detergent for your clothes, you might be tempted to use a dishwashing detergent to clean your clothes. But the safest option is to hand wash your clothes with a bar or liquid soap which is formulated for washing clothes. If you don’t have any of these products, then you can also use body wash or just a bar of plain white soap.
In short, you should avoid using dishwashing detergents for washing clothes. Dishwashing detergents can be very harsh on fabrics and can cause discoloration and irritation. If you do not have access to a specific laundry detergent, you can use a bar of plain white soap, body wash, or liquid soap instead.