Dishwasher overflowing with suds

Symptoms

• Bubbles or foam leaking from the door seal
• Suds visible inside the tub when opened mid-cycle
• Water on the floor mixed with foam
• Happened right after switching detergent types

Likely causes

• CommonRegular dish soap used instead of dishwasher detergentHand dish soap is formulated to suds heavily, which dishwashers can't handle.
• PossibleToo much dishwasher detergent usedOverfilling the dispenser, especially with gel, can create excess foam.
• Less commonResidual hand soap or bubble bath residue in a container run through by mistakeSudsy residue on a container can cause a surprising amount of foam.

What to do

1. Stop the cycle immediately and unplug the dishwasher to prevent more foam from escaping.
2. Open the door carefully and bail out excess suds and water with a cup or ladle into the sink.
3. Pour about a cup of cold water mixed with a tablespoon of vegetable oil into the tub to help break down remaining suds, or use ice cubes.
4. Mop up any foam or water that reached the floor promptly.
5. Run a rinse-only cycle to clear remaining suds, checking partway through and repeating if needed.
6. Going forward, use only detergent labeled specifically for dishwashers, never hand dish soap.

Tools and parts

• Towels
• Cup or ladle

When to call a pro

This is almost never a mechanical failure; a technician is only needed if suds recur without dish soap being used.

Safety