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Life Tips 08/07/2025 01:08

When washing dishes, follow this method to remove all chemicals: Don't rush and risk "eating" detergent.

Most people use a lot of dishwashing liquid to clean grease from dishes. However, insufficient rinsing can lead to ingesting residual detergent, so it is very important to pay attention.
Washing dishes seems like the most routine household task: apply dish soap, scrub off the grime, rinse, and you’re done. But if you're not rinsing thoroughly enough, you might be leaving behind residual detergent — and unknowingly ingesting it with your next meal. This seemingly minor oversight could pose serious risks to your family’s health.
According to a journal from the Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, thorough rinsing during dishwashing is essential to minimize detergent residue that could be consumed later.
What the Research Reveals
Researchers replicated common dishwashing habits in South Korea, using the average amount of dish soap — about 8ml per sponge — on four types of kitchenware. They rinsed each item under running water for either 7 or 15 seconds, then filled them with 100ml of distilled water, shook them to extract any leftover surfactants, and measured the chemical residue.
The findings? After 7 seconds of rinsing, the remaining surfactant levels were:

  • Earthenware pot: 4.68 mg/L

  • Frying pan: 1.22 mg/L

  • Glass bowl: 0.57 mg/L

  • Plastic container: 0.25 mg/L

All items showed traces of detergent. However, when rinsing extended to 15 seconds, only the earthenware pot had detectable residue — the others were effectively clean.
Professor Ham Seung-heon from Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department warns that detergent remnants on dishes can attach to food and be ingested, particularly affecting children who are more prone to issues like eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
Common Mistakes That Leave Chemicals Behind
1. Pouring Dish Soap Directly on Dishes
Many people believe applying detergent directly on dirty dishes gets them cleaner — but that’s not only wasteful, it allows highly concentrated chemicals to soak into tiny cracks and scratches on the surface.
Fix: Always dilute dish soap in water before use. Mix the recommended amount in a small bowl or cup, whisk it into a lather, and dip your sponge into this solution for scrubbing.
2. Using Too Much Detergent
It’s a common misconception that more soap equals cleaner dishes. But overusing dishwashing liquid doesn’t just waste product — it increases the risk of chemical buildup on your utensils and plates.
This residue is often invisible to the naked eye but remains unless thoroughly rinsed off, which takes more water, time, and effort. Lingering chemicals can harm the digestive and respiratory systems, and even irritate the skin.
Fix: Use only a small, diluted amount of soap. For dishes with minimal grease, even less is needed.
3. Soaking Dishes in Soap Water for Too Long
Leaving dirty dishes to soak in dish soap overnight may seem like a good way to loosen grime, but it's counterproductive. Prolonged exposure to detergent allows chemicals to penetrate deep into the material, especially plastic or ceramic. This environment also encourages bacterial growth.
Fix: Try to wash dishes promptly after eating to prevent food from drying and hardening. If soaking is necessary, do so in clean water (you can add salt or vinegar for extra effectiveness) and keep it under 20 minutes.
Tips for Safer Dishwashing
Professor Ham emphasizes that diluting dish soap in the sink or a wash basin is a smart way to control how much you use. When cleaning oily pans and plates, act quickly — the longer grease sits, the harder it becomes to clean.
To deal with stubborn grease, he suggests using soju or cooking alcohol. Pour a small amount into the greasy pan and bring it to a boil; the alcohol helps break down oil, turning it into a liquid that can be wiped away easily with a paper towel.

Important: Never pour oil or grease down the drain, as it can harden and clog your plumbing.

Once most of the oil is removed, rinse the sink with hot water, mix in diluted dish soap, and wash your dishes thoroughly.
With just a few changes in your dishwashing routine — like using the right amount of soap, rinsing longer, and avoiding common mistakes — you can help protect your family from unwanted chemical exposure. Clean dishes shouldn’t come at the cost of your health.

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