If you accidentally put dish soap in your dishwasher instead of dishwasher detergent, don't worry; it happens to many people. Here's what you should do to resolve the situation:
Stop the dishwasher: If you realize your mistake while the dishwasher is running, immediately stop the cycle. Most dishwashers have a "cancel" or "stop" button that you can press to halt the operation.
Do not run the dishwasher again: Running the dishwasher with regular dish soap can cause excessive sudsing, leading to a mess and potential damage to the dishwasher.
Remove excess soap: Open the dishwasher and carefully scoop out as much excess soap as possible using a cup or a ladle. Be cautious not to spill the soap on the dishwasher door or any electronic components.
Add vinegar: To help break down the soap suds, pour one to two cups of white vinegar into the dishwasher. Vinegar is effective at neutralizing the soap and reducing the number of suds.
Run a rinse cycle: Close the dishwasher and select a rinse-only cycle (if available). If your dishwasher does not have a rinse cycle option, choose the shortest and least intense cycle available, but make sure it doesn't use hot water. This will help flush out the soap and vinegar mixture from the dishwasher.
Wipe down interior: After the rinse cycle is complete, check the dishwasher's interior for any remaining suds. If you notice any, wipe them away with a clean cloth or sponge.
Rinse dishes: If you had placed dishes in the dishwasher with the dish soap, you'll need to remove them and rinse them thoroughly with water in the sink to get rid of any soap residue.
Wait for suds to dissipate: Leave the dishwasher door open for a few hours to allow any remaining soap suds to dissipate.
Run a clean cycle: To ensure that all soap residue is removed from the dishwasher, run an empty dishwasher cycle with no dishes, using only hot water. This will help flush out any remaining soap.
Be cautious in the future: To avoid this mistake in the future, always double-check the label on the detergent before adding it to your dishwasher.
Remember, using regular dish soap in a dishwasher is generally not recommended, as it can create too many suds and damage the appliance. Dishwasher detergents are specifically designed for the dishwasher's mechanics and produce fewer suds while effectively cleaning dishes.