You walk over to the dishwasher, open it up like a boss…
You just finished loading every last fork, mug, and suspiciously sticky bowl from breakfast — feeling pretty good about adulting today, right? You close the door, reach for the detergent… and then…
💥 boom.
It hits you.
“Where the heck is the dishwasher soap?”
You yank open every cabinet like a raccoon searching for snacks. Nothing. Not even a crusty tablet at the back of the box. And now your dishwasher is sitting there. Fully loaded. Judging you.
So, what now?
Do you:
- Panic?
- Hand-wash like it’s 1995?
- Google “what can I use instead of dishwasher detergent” while pretending to be calm?
Let’s go with option 3 (and hey, you’re already here — nailed it).
So… Can You Really Use Something Else?
Short answer? Yep.
Longer answer? Yes, but not just anything. Some household items can actually work surprisingly well as temporary substitutes. Others will turn your kitchen into a foam party disaster. (Spoiler: that’s not as fun as it sounds when it happens on your floor at 11 p.m.)
Let’s break it down, nice and easy — because you’ve got better things to do than stress over soap.
🔄 Substitutes That Actually Work (and Don’t Destroy Your Dishwasher)
Here’s a look at what you can use — using things you probably already have on hand.
🥄 1. Baking Soda + Salt = Budget Hero Duo
Baking soda isn’t just for cookies and keeping your fridge from smelling like expired leftovers. It’s mildly abrasive (in a good way), non-toxic, and great at cutting through grease.
Add a bit of salt, and now you’ve got a combo that helps scrub and deodorize your dishes without being too harsh.
How to use it:
- Drop 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda in the detergent compartment.
- Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Run your dishwasher like usual. That’s it!
It’s not going to give you the lemony sparkle of a commercial pod, but it’ll get your dishes clean enough for dinner round two.
💬 “Will they be squeaky clean?”
Maybe not squeaky, but clean enough to avoid side-eyes from your roommate or partner. That’s a win in our book.
🧴 2. White Vinegar — The Overachiever of the Pantry
If cleaning had a superhero, it might just be vinegar. It’s acidic (in a helpful way), cuts grease, fights odors, and softens water. All without fancy labels or weird chemical names you can’t pronounce.
How to use it:
- Put a small bowl or mug of white vinegar in the top rack (standing upright, like it’s enjoying the ride).
- Don’t dump it in the detergent slot — it might drain too early in the cycle to do its job.
You can also pair vinegar with baking soda for a more well-rounded clean. Think of them as the buddy cop duo of kitchen cleaning.
🧂 3. DIY Detergent Mix — If You’re Feeling a Bit Extra
Want to plan ahead for the next “oops, no detergent” moment? Or maybe you just like knowing exactly what’s in your cleaning products. Either way, this mix is easy, cheap, and effective.
Grab:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup washing soda (find it in the laundry aisle)
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup citric acid (optional, but helps with hard water and adds shine)
Mix it all up, store it in a dry container, and use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
🛑 Quick note: “Washing soda” is not the same as baking soda. It’s stronger and meant for cleaning. Don’t get them mixed up or your cookies will be… intense.
🚫 What You Should Absolutely NOT Use (Trust Me)
You might be tempted to get creative here. Don’t. Some things might look like they’ll work, but your dishwasher — and your floors — will not thank you later.
❌ Regular liquid dish soap
You ever see one of those sitcoms where someone puts Dawn in the dishwasher and the whole kitchen turns into a bubble bath? Yeah. That’s real. It’s not funny when it happens in your actual house.
❌ Laundry detergent
Wrong formula. Could leave residue on your dishes, and definitely not food-safe.
❌ Shampoo, body wash, hand soap… even toothpaste
No. Just no. This isn’t summer camp. Dishes deserve better.
A Real-Talk Recap (Because You’ve Got Things To Do)
Let’s put it all together:
| Substitute | Does it work? | How to use it |
| Baking soda + salt | 👍 Yes | In the detergent tray |
| White vinegar | 👍 Yes | In a mug on top rack |
| Homemade mix | 👍 Yup | Use like store-bought |
| Regular dish soap | ❌ Nope | Enjoy your bubbles (and regret) |
| Shampoo/laundry soap | ❌ No way | Don’t even try |
One Last Thing Before You Go…
Look, we’ve all forgotten to buy dishwasher detergent. Life gets busy. Grocery lists get lost. The last pod gets used without warning (and of course, nobody says anything).
But now you’ve got options. Real, easy, not-gonna-mess-up-your-appliances options.
So next time the bottle’s empty and your dishwasher’s full, you won’t even flinch. You’ll just open the pantry like a pro, toss in some baking soda or whip up your DIY mix, and let the dishwasher do its thing.
And hey, maybe you’ll even text your future self to add detergent to the grocery list. Or not. Either way — your dishes are covered. 🙌
Got any weird but genius dishwashing hacks? Or want help making your own eco-friendly pods next? Let’s chat! I love a good DIY that doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store. 😄🍽️🧂