If you accidentally put the wrong soap in the dishwasher, such as regular dish soap meant for hand washing, you can take the following steps to address the situation:
Stop the dishwasher: If the dishwasher is currently running, pause or cancel the cycle to prevent further mixing of the incorrect soap with water.
Remove excess soap: Carefully open the dishwasher and check for any visible excess soap or suds. Use a towel or sponge to remove as much soap as possible from the dishwasher tub, including any suds or residue on the dishes.
Do not add more soap: It's important not to add any additional detergent or soap to the dishwasher to avoid exacerbating the issue.
Run a rinse cycle: Close the dishwasher and select a rinse cycle without any detergent. The purpose of this rinse cycle is to flush out the incorrect soap and minimize the chances of suds or residue remaining.
Monitor the situation: After the rinse cycle, observe the dishwasher's performance. If you notice any lingering suds or residue, repeat the rinse cycle as needed until the dishwasher appears to be free of the incorrect soap.
Rewash dishes if necessary: If the incorrect soap has left residue or affected the cleanliness of the dishes, you may need to hand wash or rewash them using the appropriate dishwasher detergent. Ensure that you use the correct dishwasher detergent this time.
It's worth noting that using regular dish soap in a dishwasher can cause excessive sudsing, potential leaks, and poor cleaning results. So, it's essential to be cautious and avoid repeating the mistake in the future.