What to Do If You Accidentally Wash Dishes with Laundry Detergent: Quick steps to ensure your dishes are safe and clean

Accidentally washing dishes with laundry detergent is a common mistake, especially when both types of products are stored in similar containers. Laundry detergent is formulated for fabrics, not for food surfaces, so using it on dishes can leave harmful residues, impact taste, and potentially affect your health. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic—there are effective steps you can take to resolve the issue safely.

1. Remove All Dishes from the Dishwasher or Sink

As soon as you notice the mistake, stop the wash cycle (if it’s ongoing) or remove the dishes from the sink. Set them aside for thorough cleaning.

2. Rinse Thoroughly with Warm Water

Laundry detergent can leave a soapy film on dishware. Rinse each item with warm water, ensuring you wash away any visible suds or residues. Consider using a spray nozzle for more effective rinsing.

3. Wash Again Using Dish Soap

Rewash all the affected items with the correct dish detergent. This double-wash step is crucial to remove all traces of laundry detergent. Use a non-abrasive sponge or dish brush to get into crevices and textured surfaces.

4. Rinse and Inspect

After the second wash, rinse thoroughly once more. Examine dishes for any lingering scent or filminess. If you notice either, repeat the wash–rinse cycle until all residues are gone.

5. Air Dry

Allow dishes to air dry; this helps dissipate any remaining detergent odors and ensures there’s no residue left behind.

As a designer, I always approach kitchen mishaps by considering not only safety but also the flow and functionality of your space. You may want to set aside a dedicated area or a specific organizer for dishwashing products—and another for laundry supplies—to prevent such mix-ups in the future. In fact, layouts that clearly distinguish zones for different tasks are central to ergonomic kitchen design. If you’re rethinking your kitchen’s organization or considering a redesign to improve workflow and storage, using a kitchen layout planner can help you visualize and optimize these critical zones for efficiency and safety.

Tips 1:

Read all labels carefully before use, especially if you keep multiple types of cleaning agents in close proximity. Consider selecting dishwasher-safe labels or color-coding containers to minimize future errors.

FAQ

Q: Can using laundry detergent on dishes make you sick?

A: Yes, ingesting residues from laundry detergents can lead to nausea, vomiting, or other internal discomfort due to their chemical compositions, which aren’t meant for food contact.

Q: Is it safe to eat from dishes accidentally washed with laundry detergent?

A: Only after thoroughly rewashing dishes with proper dish soap and rinsing several times until all residues and scents are gone is it safe to use them again.

Q: Does laundry detergent leave a film on dishes?

A: Yes, laundry detergents often create stubborn soap films, which is why vigorous rewashing and rinsing are necessary.

Q: How do I prevent mixing up cleaners in my kitchen?

A: Store dish and laundry products in clearly marked or separate locations. Implement visual cues—a key principle in functional kitchen design—to streamline your routine and increase safety.

Q: Can scented laundry detergents be more harmful on dishes?

A: Heavily scented formulas may leave strong flavors and chemical residues, making it especially important to ensure complete removal from all kitchenware before reuse.