The invention of dish soap has made utensils a lot easier. The soft, foaming detergent with the perfect refreshing fragrance cleans the stubborn stains and fats and lifts the mood.
Dish soap is popular for its effective and gentle touch on the skin. However, we need to ensure that we are not treating our utensils with harmful elements. If you wonder about the quality of your dish wash if they are ok to use so close to your food, then your worries are justified.
But does it mean you can eat it? Is dish soap edible? No, they are not edible and will be harmful to the human body.
Moreover, they are packed with toxic material, which is a ‘NO-NO’ to your body. Let’s go through dish soaps, learn about them and find out the answers.
Is Dish Soap Edible?
No, dish soap is not edible. Though many dish soaps are made of all-natural ingredients, they are not food-graded. So, you should not eat them. Also, more than half of the dish soaps on the market use toxic materials that can harm your body.
Manufacturers often use dyes and essential oils to give dish soap a refreshing scent and color. Though they are not toxins, these ingredients can be e harmful to your body. Also, formaldehyde or enzymes are used to strengthen the cleaning capacity of the liquid, which can cause irritation or corrosion on your skin if used excessively.
The detoxifiers and antibacterial agents can harm your body’s organs and disrupt the digestive system if you consume them. So, you should not carelessly try to eat dish soap out of curiosity.
Does Dish Soap Contain Any Toxins?
Though it is not a must, many dish soaps contain toxins. These toxic elements help the dish soap stay usable for a long time and work as a better cleaning agent.
One of the most common elements of the soaps is formaldehyde. It is used as a preservative that keeps the dish soap usable for a long time. But it is very toxic to the respiratory system and can make your skin vulnerable if absorbed.
Some of the common chemicals are ethylene glycol, urea, bronopol and phthalates. These chemicals help the liquid make its work done and give you a better result. But if you somehow consume them, it can threaten your development or immune system and even cause brain damage. So, you should be careful of how exposed you are to the dish soaps and how you are using them.
Uses Of Dish Soap
The adequate cleaning power of the dishwasher has made it the essential tool for removing dirt and stubborn grimes not only from utensils but also from other surfaces. There are various uses of dish soaps as a cleaner.
You can erase grease stains from clothes and carpets. Using dish soap solution in the area with dish soap, removing the stains will be easier. The enzymes used in the dish soap will help you. You can also use this liquid to clean your kitchen or bathroom floor. They are powerful antibacterial agents.
Dish soaps can be used in sophisticated works like cleaning jewelry or taking care of your furniture as they are soft on the surface of the material yet harsh towards the dust.
Is Dish Soap Harmful For Children?
Yes, eating dish soap can be harmful to your child. If your child consumes a significant amount of dish soap, they are very likely to suffer from stomach aches and diarrhea. The severity of the effect can vary depending on the harshness of the liquid.
Also, if the dish wash contains any toxic ingredients, it might not stop there. There can be some long-term effects like skin disease, organ failure or irritation. Also, kids’ skin is more sensitive than adults. If they are exposed to these liquids for a long time, they can suffer from burning sensation, irritation and allergy.
What To Do If I Accidentally Eat Dish Soap?
If you accidentally eat a few drops of dish soap, that will not have any effect on your health despite leaving an unpleasant taste. However, if you eat a large amount and feel nauseous, then you should consult a doctor first.
Don’t force yourself to vomit if you start hyperventilating or feel stuffy on your chest. It might make things worse.
Eating dish soap is not a dangerous act that will kill you immediately. However, as they are not designed for eating, they can be uncomfortable. It might cause stomach aches or headaches. But it will get better with time. Drinking water might make you feel better but don’t overdo it.
Is there any Edible Dish Soap?
Though dish soaps are not preferable to eat, they can be edible. If you do not use any toxic materials or dyes, you can create harmless soaps using edible fats and vegetable oils.
But if you want to have edible soaps because you don’t want to rinse off your utensils after cleaning, then it is a bad idea. Cleaning utensils is to make them free of germs and maintain hygiene. So, skipping the step of rinsing any residue from your plate fails the primary purpose.
Usually, essential oil, dye, formaldehyde, and other materials used to preserve and beautify dish soap can be harmful to your health. If you look thoroughly, you will find some edible alternatives that are safe to use for a long time.
When Did People Start Using Dish Soap?
Dish soap usage started being popular around the middle of the 20th century. Cleaning utensils has been necessary for quite a long time. People preferred to clean and sanitize their food containers and utensils even in the medieval age.
Before discovering dishwashing, soap, wood or vine ashes were popular as cleaning agents. People also used oil, eggs and some nice smelling wax to make soft soaps. These detergents work quite perfectly to clean and work as antibacterial. However, dishwashers still become popular because they don’t leave any residue and wash your dishes thoroughly.
Final Thoughts
You cannot ignore the ingredients and quality of your dish soap. In any case, you should be aware of what you are using in your daily life and how it can affect the health of your loved ones.
Regular use of harmful material is more dangerous than consuming strong poison once. As dish soap stays near foods and its effect can linger even after a long time, it must be safe.
Is dish soap edible? What will happen if someone eats diss soap? Knowing the answers and handling them properly should be your first priority if you want to keep your family safe. Let’s enjoy cleaning and have a healthy and fresh kitchen.
Related posts:
Is Dog Toothpaste Edible
Is Munstead Lavender Edible