Cooktop Cove: I accidentally washed dishes in the dishwasher with floor cleaner. Do I need to dump everything?

Washing dishes is an everyday task, and the dishwasher is a staple appliance in many households for this purpose. However, mishaps can occur, such as accidentally using the wrong cleaning agent in the dishwasher, such as floor cleaner. This scenario is certainly alarming and raises many concerns about the safety of the dishes and the dishwasher itself, as floor cleaners are not formulated for dishwashing and can contain chemicals that are not food-safe.
If you find yourself in this predicament, here’s what you need to know and do next to ensure your dishes and health are not compromised.
1. Assessing the Situation
Before you panic, take a moment to assess the situation. How much floor cleaner was used in place of dishwasher detergent? If it was a small amount, the risk may be less significant than if you filled the entire detergent dispenser with floor cleaner. However, regardless of the quantity, the chemicals in floor cleaner can be toxic, and it’s crucial to proceed with caution.
2. Emptying the Dishwasher
The first step you should take is to empty the dishwasher completely. Remove all the dishes, cutlery, and any other items that were inside during the washing cycle.
3. Rinsing Everything Thoroughly
Once you have everything out, rinse each item under hot running water. This will help remove any residual floor cleaner that may be on the surfaces. Though this may seem sufficient, simply rinsing might not remove all the chemical residues that could pose a danger.
4. Running a Second Cycle
After rinsing by hand, it’s advisable to run the dishes through another complete wash cycle in the dishwasher, this time using the correct dishwasher detergent. This will help ensure that any remaining floor cleaner is fully removed.
5. Cleaning the Dishwasher