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What Can You Use To Wash Dishes?

A photo of a person's hand washing the dishes on a sink full of dirty utensils, plates and containers

A pile of dirty plates in the kitchen sink can be a disgusting sight and a potential health hazard for you and your family. It might be hard to believe, but you are likely to find germs and bacteria in your kitchen, near the dirty dishes, rather than in the toilet or the garage. However, what’s the best cleaning agent to get rid of all these germs from your dishes?

From the most obvious choice, dishwashing soap, to vinegar and baking soda, dishes can be washed in a variety of different ways. However, if you fail to take care of some rules while washing your dishes, it can lead to scratched, decolorized, or even broken plates.

Cleaning your dishes after every use is vital to your health and a necessary step down the road to the prevention of multiple diseases. Therefore, knowing which products to use for cleaning your dishes and how to use them is like knowing the secret ingredient to a healthy life.

Can You Use Vinegar To Wash Dishes?

A photo of a vinegar in a small clear bowl

I have been using vinegar to clean multiple surfaces around my house, including the rust-covered appliances I have lying around. With an abundance of vinegar at my home – since it is also used for cooking – it made me wonder if I can use it for washing dishes?

Vinegar can act as a useful substitute for dishwashing soaps. Its acidic properties give it the power to make your dishes squeaky clean, and germ-free. However, vinegar might not be able to cut through tough grease on your dishes as it is a mild cleaner.

How To Use Vinegar To Clean Dishes?

Vinegar is an effective cleaner for nongreasy dishes. However, if you fail to use it the right way it can leave you with disappointing results.

Step 1: Take a bowl and fill it with water.

Step 2: Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid soap to the water.

Step 3: Next, add at least two teaspoons of vinegar and stir the solution properly.

Step 4: Now, take a dishwashing sponge, dip it in your prepared solution and scrub your dishes clean

If you feel like the stains are not coming off with these steps, you can resort to a different method of using vinegar, one particularly for removing stubborn stains:

Step 1: Sprinkle a few pinches of salt over the dish.

Step 2: Pour a few drops of vinegar on top of the salt and let it sit for fifteen minutes.

Step 3: Scrub your dish underwater using a dishwashing sponge and rinse away all the dirty stains clouding your precious plate.

Can You Use White Vinegar To Wash Dishes?

White Vinegar will work to eradicate most of the germs from your dishes, making them reusable, given that they were not greasy. However, since white vinegar is mildly acidic, it won’t be able to cut through layers of grease and kill the germs below.

Can You Use Bleach To Wash Dishes?

A photo of a pouring bleach

Whenever I am looking to make my clothes (or any other surface in my home, for that matter) shinier and cleaner, I resort to using some diluted bleach and it works perfectly. However, can it also work on removing dirt and grease from every nook and cranny of a dirty dish?

Yes, bleach is a strong disinfectant and can easily kill the stubborn bacteria and germs covering your dishes. However, since bleach is a fairly strong chemical, you will have to take certain safety precautions to ensure the bleach doesn’t stain your dishes or burn your skin.

The Proper Way To Use Bleach To Wash Dishes

Although bleach is an effective dishwasher, it needs to be used with care as it can burn you when used in high concentrations. Therefore, always use dishwashing gloves when dealing with bleach and opt for the correct method while cleaning your dishes.

Step 1: Use a dishwasher to initially wash the dishes.

Step 2: Once done, rinse the dishes properly.

Step 3: Next, fill your sink with water and add bleach to it.

The amount of bleach you add depends on how much water is present in the sink. If it is a large sink with 3 gallons of water, two tablespoons of bleach will do the work. However, for a small sink that can only hold a gallon of water, add no more than two teaspoons of bleach.

Step 4: Dunk the dishes in the diluted bleach solution for two minutes.

Step 5: Lastly, drain the water, and dry your dishes using a clean cloth.

Can You Use Hand Soap To Wash Dishes?

A photo of hand soap with bubbles floating

Using traditional dishwashing soap can lead to rough hands, and with the constant use of such a product, even squirting a whole bottle of moisturizer won’t work. Therefore, since hand soap is softer, I decided to try and see if it can be used for washing dishes instead (and give some relief to my poor hands, mind you).

You can always use hand soap as a substitute for dishwashing soap when you have run out of the latter. Hand soap will remove bacteria and grease from your dishes – as it does from your hands – although some hand soaps can leave a slimy residue on your dishes which will be harder to get rid of.

A Guide To Using Hand Soap To Wash Dishes

Even though hand soap is much friendlier to your skin compared to dishwashing soap, and can be used as an effective replacement, you need to be careful while using it. Following a certain set of steps will ensure that your guests don’t end up eating the hand soap when they use your dishes.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/07/2022.

Step 1: Half-fill a bowl with water.

Step 2: Pump five to six drops of hand soap into the bowl and mix it.

Step 3: Use a dishwashing sponge to clean the dishes using the mixture you made.

Step 4: Rinse each dish three to four times, using your hand to wipe off any hand soap clinging to the dish. Make sure to dry the dishes with a clean cloth to remove any hand soap residue still left.

Can You Use Laundry Detergent To Wash Dishes?

A close up shot of laundry powder with scoop

The clothes we throw in the washer are extremely dirty; laden with sweat, grease, dust, and a countless amount of germs. If laundry detergent can make them clean as new, then can it have the same magic effect on dishes too?

Using laundry detergent can work as a short-time substitute for dishwashing soap. However, it is not a recommended option as it contains many toxins including fragrances and brighteners. These can stay back on your dishes even after you rinse them off and can be a major health hazard.

Can You Use Baking Soda To Wash Dishes?

A close up photo of baking powder on a heart shaped plate

Whether it is exfoliating your skin, whitening your teeth, or cleaning an extremely dirty vase, baking soda is perfect for the job. Given that it is such a versatile product, it should be able to clear away stains and brighten up your dishes as well, right?

Baking soda’s natural cleansing properties make it a viable option to use when washing your dishes. However, it might not be that effective against bacteria as baking soda does not have antibacterial properties. Therefore, it’s often paired up with dishwashing soap or vinegar to be an effective disinfectant.

Step-By-Step Guide On Using Baking Soda To Clean Dishes

Baking soda is regarded as a magic cleaner and it can be used in two different ways to wash your dishes:

Step 1: Take a half-filled bowl of water.

Step 2: Add a few drops of dishwashing soap to the bowl.

Step 3: Sprinkle two teaspoons of baking soda into the bowl and stir.

Step 4: Dip your dishwashing sponge into your prepared solution and use it to scrub your dishes.

Step 5: Rinse your dishes with clean water.

Or, you can use a different method involving vinegar and baking soda to remove bacteria alongside the usual stains clouding your pearly white dishes.

Step 1: Fill your sink with water.

Step 2: Pour two to three teaspoons of vinegar into the sink.

Step 3: Add two to three teaspoons of baking soda to the sink and mix.

Step 4: Soak the dishes in the sink for fifteen minutes.

Step 5: Rinse the dishes under clean water using a clean dishwashing sponge.

Can You Use Hot Water To Wash Dishes?

A close up shot of hot water in a bowl

Boiling stuff is a traditional way to get rid of all the bacteria and germs; mothers boil baby feeders and pacifiers, and people boil meat and vegetables before eating them. Following that tradition, can hot water also wash dishes effectively?

Hot water should always be your go-to choice to wash dishes. Not only does it effectively kill bacteria, but it also cuts through the grease on your plate easily. However, you might need to pair hot water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid for the best results.

Can You Use Bar Soap To Wash Dishes?

Even after a long day at work, when sweat and dirt have enveloped me from head to toe, I always trust a bar soap to do its job and make me shine clean again. It often makes me wonder if it is so effective as a cleanser for the body, will it be the same for dishes?

Well, yes, bar soap will work as a great alternative for dishwashing soap. It has antibacterial properties which will aid it in killing all types of germs on your dishes. Moreover, bar soap is also gentler on your skin as compared to strong dishwashing liquids.

How To Use Bar Soap To Wash Dishes

Using bar soap is not only an effective alternative for dish soap but much easier to use when compared to other substitutes.

Step 1: Get a soap container and place the bar soap on it.

Step 2: Sprinkle a few drops of water on the bar soap so it is not completely dry.

Step 3: Take a dishwashing sponge and rub it on the bar soap until you are satisfied with the amount of soap on your sponge.

Step 4: Wet the sponge to create a lather and scrub your dishes.

Step 5: Rinse the dishes with clean water and wipe them down with a soft cloth to remove any bar soap residue.

Can You Use Washing Powder For Dishes?

A photo of washing power with other bottles.

You have run out of dishwashing soap and run to the laundry room to get the new one you bought and stored for situations like these. However, your eyes land on the washing powder you just added to the washing machine, and it makes you wonder if washing powder can be used to wash dishes?

As a last resort, washing powder can be used to wash dishes as it has antibacterial properties which will aid it in eradicating the bacteria from your dishes. However, it contains harmful toxins like brighteners and stain removers which can be a health hazard and therefore, are not recommended.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/07/2022.

Can You Use Castile Soap To Wash Dishes?

Are you tired of the calluses dishwasher soap tends to make on your hands, because I am? In the search for something softer and friendlier to my skin and dishes, I came across castile soap. However, is it a suitable replacement?

Castile soap is a perfect dishwashing alternative for people with sensitive skin which acts out when washing dishes. It cuts through grease and removes the bacteria, and due to the vegetable oil that it is made from, it doesn’t harm your skin.

A Guide To Using Castile Soap To Wash Dishes

To make the most of castile soap and give your skin proper relaxation, you need to use it the right way to wash dishes.

Step 1: Add ten parts of hot water to a container.

Step 2: Next, pour one part of liquid castile soap into the container and mix.

Step 3: Use a clean sponge to wash the dishes using the mixture.

Step 4: Rinse the dishes properly with clean, lukewarm water.

Can You Use Alcohol To Wash Dishes?

When I think about disinfecting and sanitizing, the first product to pop into my head is alcohol. Since alcohol is already known for its exceptional disinfectant properties, I wondered whether it would be able to whiten up my dishes as well?

Alcohol can be used to wash dishes; it has antibacterial properties that make it a viable option to replace your traditional dishwashing soap. However, it might not be able to cut through grease as it is more acidic than basic, and can also burn you if you use it in higher concentrations.

A Proper Guide To Using Alcohol To Clean Dishes

Even though alcohol in high concentrations can be used as an effective cleanser for many surfaces, you are best off using a diluted mixture of alcohol for washing dishes to avoid any chemicals being left behind.

Step 1: Pour ten parts of warm water into a bowl.

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Jun 7, 2022..

Step 2: Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.

Step 3: Add one part of rubbing alcohol into the bowl and mix.

Step 4: Use a dishwashing sponge to clean the dishes using the mixture.

Step 5: Rinse off the dishes properly to get rid of any residues.

Can You Use Body Soap To Wash Dishes?

Just as it works to remove the dirt and germs from your body, body soap will effectively kill all bacteria residing on your dishes. The only concern can be the strong fragrance that the body wash leaves behind as it might not be appealing when you have to eat off of that plate.

This article was first published on Jun 7, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

Can You Use Lysol To Wash Dishes?

Lysol cannot be used to wash dishes, as stated by Lysol themselves. The product contains a ton of chemicals which may make it a good fit for cleaning other surfaces around the house but not the dishes from which you eat out.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/07/2022.

Can You Use Swedish Dishcloths To Wash Dishes?

Swedish dishcloth is a viable replacement for paper towels and a more suitable fit for cleaning your dishes. Not only is it eco-friendly but using it will make your dishes shine without any scratches.

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Wash Dishes?

As a standalone, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent way to clean your dishes and give them a sparkly finish at the end. However, to get the best results in terms of grease removal and bacteria-killing, you should combine it with some sort of dishwashing soap.

Best Way To Wash Dishes Without Dish Soap

Whether you have run out of dish soap and don’t have an extra lying around, or it is too rough on your pocket and skin; you have sworn to lay off of dish soap for a while. However, that leads to the question; what can you use aside from dish soap to make your plates squeaky clean?

Apart from the numerous options stated above, you can also make use of borax, powdered lemonade, shampoo, and lemon juice to wash dishes. All these choices are easy to do, and friendly on your pocket as well.

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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Jun 7, 2022 and last modified on .

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