Why dishwashing liquid may be ruining your household items
Is dishwashing liquid universal? Nothing could be further from the truth. Some products should not be treated with this agent if we don't want to face serious consequences later.
Dishwashing liquid can be found in almost every home. This cleaning agent quickly tackles dirt and grease. While it's often said to clean any surface, its use is discouraged in a few situations. Otherwise, it can damage certain surfaces. What exactly are we talking about?
Want to use dishwashing liquid on this equipment? We discourage it
Many homemakers claim that dishwashing liquid is a universal product. It can handle not only dirty dishes, but also greasy stains on clothes, windows in need of cleaning, or soap scum in bathrooms. While it indeed has many applications, in several cases, we absolutely should not use it.
You should not use it to clean coffee makers. Those made of steel can be cleaned with warm water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. However, if your coffee maker is made of aluminum, wash it only with water—in this case, even a small amount of dishwashing liquid can ruin the equipment and make it unusable. Vinegar and citric acid also have the same effect on aluminum coffee makers.
When should dishwashing liquid be set aside?
Not only are aluminum coffee makers unsuitable for dishwashing liquid, but it's also not suitable for wooden floors—even a tiny amount can cause damage. Dishwashing liquid is also not ideal for cleaning cast-iron pans, vegetables, fruits, and hair. In the latter case, it can cause serious skin irritation, dry out your hair, and even strip the skin and hair of their natural protective sebum layer.
It's also worth remembering not to add dishwashing liquid to the dishwasher—doing so will result in large amounts of foam all over the kitchen. A similar situation occurs when pouring the liquid into the washing machine.
