Can I use laundry detergent to wash dishes?

Question

Is there anything in or about liquid laundry detergent that would make it dangerous to use on dishes washed by hand? I am asking because you can get a huge bottle of liquid laundry detergent for a couple of bucks whereas a smallish bottle of dish detergent can run almost as much.....

So if there are no safety/health issues I might try it....


Thanks,
Alley

Ok, I had a really greasy plastic container lid (lamb fat!) I measured a teaspoon of dish detergent and a teaspoon of laundry detergent and put them on half each. Then I heated the water as hot as I could get it in the sink and blasted the lid with the hose nozzle.

The result: The dish detergent side seemed markedly cleaner than the laundry detergent side. There was a film left on the laundry detergent side that remained even with repeated blasting with the hot water.

So, now I know...thanks for all the answers!

Answer 1

I have had to use laundry detergent when I ran out of regular dish washing soap. I really would not use it all the time. I know it seems cheaper, but I don't feel like it gets it as clean. It also could leave a soap build up and you would not want that taste in your food. If your trying to cut cost dilute your dish washing soap. And use bleach in your water to make sure your dishes are sterile.

Answer 2

Washing Dishes With Laundry Detergent

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can I use laundry detergent to wash dishes?
Is there anything in or about liquid laundry detergent that would make it dangerous to use on dishes washed by hand? I am asking because you can get a huge bottle of liquid laundry detergent for a couple of bucks whereas a smallish bottle of dish detergent can run almost as much.....

So if...

Answer 4

Yes, you can, BUT, IT DEPENDS ON THE KIND OF LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND HAS TO BE USED ONLY TO WASH DISHES BY HAND.
Does not clean grease very well, for that you can add vinegar to the detergent, the kind of liquid laundry detergent has to be a neutral , like seventh generation free and clear or other brand, without perfume, dyes, etc.
Is economical (bought in bulk, large size, like 100 oz container)and effective. You can even add water if your dishes, pans etc are not too greasy and you let them soak in water before washing.

Answer 5

I've never use laundry detergent just because it doesn't sound like a good idea; but i use hand soap detergent when im out of dish soap and in a pinch. It, the hand soap, leaves the dishes clean and sparkly. One caveat though, make sure you rinse the dishes completely so as not to leave soap film.

Answer 6

I used laundry soap in my dishwasher, and that was not a bright idea. My reasoning was that laundry soap isn't as sudsy as say Dawn. I have used Dawn in the past and if you get just a drop too much, BUBBLES everywhere. So I thought laundry soap would work. NOT! I had BUBBLES everywhere again, and the only way to tame them down and get rid of them is to put in ...none other than....liquid fabric softener. So for a few days my dishwasher smelled like laundry, but at least the dishes were clean. So doing it by hand, I see no harm in. Hey if it saves a few bucks, I would say go ahead and do it, but maybe just put in a little bleach so that you have killed the bacteria, since most dish soaps nowadays are antibacterial

Answer 7

I would not risk that if I were you. Why play with your health over a few measly dollars. You can wash clothes with dish liquid, but you cannot wash dishes with laundry detergent. If penny pinching is that urgent to you, why don't you Buy a large bottle of dish detergent and wash your dishes and clothes with that. Do the right thing...healthwise!

Answer 8

Using laundry soap to wash by hand may not be as bad, but using laundry soap in a dish washer can be extremly tricky. If you use too much, the suds come out of the dishwasher even though the door is locked shut. I've tried this, it was bad, suds all over the place. I used shampoo, and used 1/3 to 1/2 as much as the little container would hold and that was too much. I've never used it again.

Answer 9

Not a good idea. The laundry detergent is very slippery on your hands.

Go to the nearest dollar store and get some dishwashing detergent.

Answer 10

Detergent is detergent, use what ever you like. But while washing those dishes thank your husband for putting in that window at the sink so you can be reminded to mow that grass when you are done with those dishes. THANK VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!