Mold is not only an ugly scar you find on your dishes and hands, but it also poses a health risk to those in that area.
Most people do not want to spend money on expensive mold removers and instead settle for dish soap, but the issue is, ” does dish soap kill molds on dishes?”
Dish mold does not kill mold. This soap is only done for you to clean moldy dishes, and there is a big difference between cleaning mold and killing it from the root. So the solution you would be getting depends on which you want to go for.
Does Dawn Dish Soap Kill Mold on Dishes?
Mold is a fungus that practically grows anywhere that is moist; your dishes, toilets, and kitchen sink too.
Certain types of molds like the black molds are very toxic, and if not taken care of fast, they can pose a health risk to the inhabitants when getting rid of them; ensure that you wear protective gear to keep yourself safe.
Dawn dish soap, like other effective dish soap, does not kill the mold; instead, it cleans the mold for a particular period, and if not taken care of with effective mold sprays, it is most likely to return.
The type of surface you are trying to clean extensively impacts the method you are expected to use.
Although you can kill these molds but cannot be done with only dish soap, even if you need dish soap.
Most dish soaps contain what is known as a surfactant that helps break the porous surface’s tension and allows other materials like bleach and vinegar to penetrate and work effectively.
Killing mold can harm your health if you are not well protected. So, before going into the different methods of killing mold, you should adhere to these safety precautions.
- Killing mold can be dangerous so ensure that you put on protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a nose mask before cleaning. Apart from the mold, some other products combined with dish soap to kill mold can also be harmful.
- The primary reason there is mold on your dishes is moisture. So don’t just kill the mold and leave the source uncatered; look for the source and try to stop the moisture from getting to your dishes; it might even be a leaking tap.
- If you are dealing with black molds or any other type that has covered a large area, it would be better to call on a professional.
How Does Dish Soap Kill Molds on Dishes?
You can use your dish soap to kill moldy dishes and other disinfectants.
Dish soap is vital when killing molds, but on its own, it cannot be able to completely kill them unless you combine it with other solid products and vice versa.
Some methods of killing these molds include;
#1. Dish Soap and Hot Water
This method would work best if the mold hasn’t been on your dishes for too long. Then, you would need hot water, dish soap, and a sponge.
#1. Procedure
- Fill your sink with hot water after plugging it in.
- Add a few drops of dish soap into the hot water in the sink, enough to make it foam. If hot water can destroy your dishes, wait for a few minutes, and if it can’t, you can immediately soak your dishes in the water and wait for about 5-10 minutes.
- After the time-lapse, get your sponge, wash out the mold from the dishes into the water, and drain the moldy water down the sink.
- After that, fill your sink with clean water and dish soap again, wash, rinse, and then dry.
#2. Dish Soap and Vinegar+ Bleach
When the mold has been on your dishes for long, the first method will not work, and you would need something more potent, but dish soap is also needed. For this method, you would need;
- Vinegar or bleach.
- Dish soap.
- Water.
- Sponge and a bristled brush.
#1. Procedure
- Spray your dishes with the vinegar solution with a spray bleach but if you are using bleach, soak your dishes in a mixture of bleach and water; a cup of bleach to a gallon of water is a perfect match.
- Allow the vinegar to sit in your dishes for about five minutes, and for your bleach, let it soak in your dishes for five minutes.
- After that, you can now use your bristle brush to wash off the mold from your dishes; it should come off easy by now.
- After the mold is out, you can replace the water and wash it off with your dish soap, warm water, and sponge.
- You can now rinse, clean, and dry.
How to Clean Mold Off Dishes with Vinegar Dish Soap?
Cleaning moldy dishes with vinegar dishes is another effective measure. Vinegar is known to kill 92% of bacteria and 82% of mold species, and it is also safer for use inside your dishwasher than bleach.
The two primary types of mold you are most likely to find on your dishes are black or brown.
Many prefer using vinegar to clean up these dish molds because it is not toxic to humans.
Vinegar is a major condiment in most dishes. Because it can only kill a certain percentage of bacteria, you must combine it with another cleaning agent to ensure it works efficiently.
Below are the steps you should take when cleaning moldy dishes with vinegar;
- You can use a dry container to store a lot of water and then spray your moldy dishes with vinegar from a spray bottle.
- After that, wait for about 5-10 minutes and then soak the dishes in water hot enough to melt off the mold; don’t make the water too hot to melt any plastic material.
- You can decide to repeat this process once or twice, and when you are sure there are no mold traces, you can now scrub the dishes with your sponge and soapy water.
- Wash until it is sparkling clean, and then you can rinse, clean, and leave it dry.
Apart from vinegar, there are some other effective products you can use to kill these molds like;
#1. Baking Soda
Besides killing these molds, it also removes the odor and bacteria. It is very effective, and you need just dish soap, baking soda, and hot water.
Put a good amount of hot water in your large bowl and pour a sufficient amount of baking soda to kill the molds.
You can scrub in about 5-10 minutes and wash out with dish soap and a sponge. Rinse and dry.
#2. Hydrogen Peroxide
You should know hydrogen peroxide from hospitals because it is a disinfectant to eliminate bacteria from cuts and wounds.
In addition, using this on your moldy dishes can help remove any mold or mildew on them.
#3. Dawn Soap
Dawn soap is a very effective liquid soap to remove odor and grease from plates.
You can add a little dawn soap to any method of cleaning you choose from this list to help boost the effectiveness of other cleaning products.
#4. Borax
Borax is a well-known cleaning product that you can use to clean your bathrooms and toilets and remove stains from walls and dishes, and then after use, you can use your dish soap and water to enhance the cleaning process.
#5. Bleach
Bleach is a common disinfectant in most homes, and you can use it to clean moldy pots, pans, and dishes by killing 99.9% of the bacteria in them.
After cleaning your dishes with bleach, ensure you wash them off properly, so your dishes do not smell like bleach later.
Is Using Dish Soap to Kill Mold on Dishes a Good Idea?
Dish soap is a crucial product you would need to kill harmful molds on your dishes, but it cannot work on its own to effectively kill these molds.
In most mold-killing remedies, dish soap is always mentioned because it helps break down the molecules for easier penetration of other, more effective products.
So, if you plan to kill mold on your dishes with the dishwasher, you should consider pairing it with other disinfectants like bleach, vinegar, or even borax to work at its best.
Some of the best dish wash you can use to kill molds on your dishes include;
- Morning fresh.
- Dishwashing liquid.
- Rainbow combo.
- Super concentrate dishwash.
- Fresh lemon dishwashing liquid.
Here are different solutions effective in dealing with various kinds of mold growth in dishes:
| Mold Intensity | Solutions to Use |
|---|---|
| Smaller molds that have not been on your dishes for long | Dish soap and hot water |
| Molds that have been on your dishes for too long | Vinegar/bleach and hot water |
| Molds on larger surfaces | Hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and hot water |
| Molds around the whole room | Contact a professional |
Conclusion
Molds are harmful, and if left for too long, they can keep spreading and pose a health threat, so the best thing would be to get rid of them as soon as you notice them.
Unfortunately, using your dishwasher to get rid of molds from your dishes would not do the trick; instead, you have to pair it with some other disinfectants to get maximum results.
