Regular Dish Soap in Dish Washer?

Updated on October 06, 2011
G.R. asks from Daly City, CA
23 answers

I have some princess house crystal that has been in my garage forever. Not dirty with food but just dusty with cardboard dust. Some of it isn't dishwasher safe. I am assuming because of the harsh detergent. Well I have lots to clean for my moms 60th, I used to sell it, and want to clean it in the dishwasher. I was thinking about a couple of drops of my regular dish soap in the washer. What do u think? Anyone experimented with that?

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A.W.

answers from Seattle on

don't do it! It will end in disaster with bubbles everywhere....
Try soaking it in vinegar water first and then just run it thru the dishwasher with no soap and no heat setting.

3 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

When I first read the title I started laughing. My stepson put regular dish soap in the dishwasher, he said he didn't know. Well there were soap bubbles all over the kitchen. It took a few rinse cycles to drain the dishwasher, thankfully no damage.
I would only hand wash those items. If it were me I wouldn't take the risk of damaging them.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

G.T.

answers from Redding on

NO! You will have a suds mess. Crystal in the dishwasher can easily get broken, probably one of the reasons they say not to do it. Maybe experiment with a piece in the dishwasher with your regular detergent and see what happens? If it doesnt get all cloudy go ahead and so some more. Otherwise, turn on some good music and cheerfully do them at the sink ;)

3 moms found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yeah, did the dish soap in the dishwasher when I was a kid. Would definitely NOT do that under any circumstances EVER AGAIN. Also, the heat and pressure of the water may PERMANENTLY etch and damage the crystal. Not that I envy you on this, but would recommend hand washing that stuff.

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Don't do it! I did it once by accident, it is an absolute nightmare to clean up.

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Not only NO but HECK NO!!! You put regular dish soap in the dishwasher and you will have bubbles EVERYWHERE!!!!

Old Princess House stuff, eh? Looking to sell some pieces?!

I put my Princess House crystal in the dishwasher on the "china" setting and it was fine. Top Shelf only. If you don't want to do that - then hand wash it all but DO NOT put dish soap in the dishwasher - you will have a MESS!!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Your assumption is incorrect. Some crystal is too fragile to be put in a dishwasher due to the HEAT and "rough" movement of the water. I wouldn't try "regular" dish soap as you risk damaging your dishwasher as well as your crystal! Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

If you are absolutely in dire need of dishwasher detergent a couple of drops with some baking soda will keep your kitchen from looking like a bubble machine exploded, but otherwise, no. I did the regular soap thing when I was 10 and it was something out of Home Alone or similar comedy.

But with crystal....I'd be cautious about the dw at all. Maybe get a handwashing party going. If you're hosting a party, why not host some party prep days with anyone who may be helping?

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I would also be concerned with using the dishwasher because the power at which the water is sprayed could break the crystal. Dishes do get rattled around.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Somehow, a few drops of regular dishwashing liquid got on some dishes I put in the dishwasher.....

We had suds all OVER the place! They oozed out the D/W vent and all over the floor...

Oops!

2 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Yes, there will be suds everywhere. My husband did this once, not a good idea!! You'd be better off spending 5 bucks and buying a gentle detergent. Seventh Generation has no harsh chemicals or agents. I get ours at Target.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

Never tried it personally, but heeard of someone's husband who ised regular dishsoap in the dishwasher-- ended up with suds everywhere! Dishwasher detergent is lower sudsing

2 moms found this helpful
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✿.K.

answers from Boston on

It's probably not dishwasher safe because of how hot the dishwasher gets. And you CANNOT use regular dish soap in a dishwasher unless you want a huge mess to clean in your kitchen.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

it is not the soap, it is the heat and pressure of the water. Also, if you use regular dish soap it will foam and foam and you will end up with a mess all over your floor!

2 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

My husband tried that once,,,,,,,,becuase he had no idea he wasnt supposed to use dish soap. It was really helpful in cleaning my kitchen floor......;0)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

did you ever see I Love Lucy when she did that. Kitche full of Bubbles. Way dangerous to try. You might ge a head start on mopping your floor if you did though. hehe. The dust should pretty much rinse off though.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Since the dishes are only dusty, running them through the short cycle with no soap at all should do the trick.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wouldn't do it. It might damage your dishwasher. Fill your sink with HOT soapy water and submerse the glasses. As soon as the water has cooled enough to touch, the glasses should be easy to clean.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.H.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

NO to the dish soap (for all reasons previous posters listed). You may want to check www.princesshouse.com. Each piece listed has a care section that tells you whether it is dishwasher safe or not. I was a PH rep in the early 80's and at that time the only crystal that was dishwasher safe was the Fantasia line. I just checked their site and many more of their items are now dishwasher safe. Better safe than sorry. (Happy Birthday to your mom!)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.Q.

answers from Los Angeles on

I always clean my Stuart and Waterford Crystal (mostly champagne flutes and wine glasses) in the dishwasher with regular dishwasher powder. No problems with damage so far.

1 mom found this helpful
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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hand wash it and let it air dry.

NEVER use dish soap in the dishwasher!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from San Diego on

I have, and it's not good. I had suds all over my kitchen floor. Finding some dishwasher detergent that work would be a better idea.

S.K.

answers from Denver on

Im glad im not the only one who was curious enough to put dish soap in the dishwasher and end up with a kitchen FULL of bubbles :)

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