Trying to save costs by putting manual liquid dish soap into a commercial dishwasher is a fatal mistake for restaurant businesses. Regular soap produces excessive foam (oversudsing) that can clog hoses, destroy the circulation pump, and damage the machine’s sensors. To protect your expensive kitchen assets, commercial facilities must use a specific low-foam commercial dishwasher detergent and industry-standard chemicals to ensure maximum cleaning results without destroying internal machine components.
As a restaurant owner or operations manager, cutting kitchen expenses is a natural reflex. However, replacing commercial dishwasher detergent with manual liquid dish soap is a “cost-saving” move that can lead to thousands of dollars in machine damage.
Many kitchen staff assume all cleaning liquids serve the same purpose. In reality, commercial dishwasher detergent is designed with entirely different chemistry and formulation than household dish soap. If you recklessly pour regular soap into your machine, prepare for chaos in your kitchen facility.
3 Fatal Dangers of Not Using Specific Dishwasher Detergent
Professional kitchens operate at high speed and intense water pressure. As discussed in our previous article about commercial dishwashers for restaurants, putting the wrong cleaning liquid into the machine’s dispenser will trigger the following chain of damages:
1. Excessive Foam (Oversudsing) Destroying the Pump
Manual dish soap is intentionally formulated to produce a lot of lather. Unlike commercial dishwasher detergent which is low-foam, the suds from regular soap will multiply rapidly inside the machine’s intense water circulation.
This overflowing foam will be sucked into the circulation pump. A pump designed to pull water will instead pull air from the foam bubbles, causing the machine to overheat and potentially burning out the motor.
2. Failing to Break Down Grease at High Temperatures
A key characteristic of commercial dishwasher detergent is its ability to remain active in extreme water temperatures, typically between 70 to 90 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the active cleaning agents in regular soap will break down and evaporate at these temperatures. The result? Dishes that come out greasy, sticky, and unhygienic.
3. Damaged Sensors and Voided Machine Warranty
Undissolved residue from regular soap will harden and coat the water level sensors and heating elements. Consequently, the machine fails to detect water and stops operating. Manufacturers will also instantly void your machine’s warranty if they find out you haven’t been using industry-standard commercial dishwasher detergent.
Main Differences: Manual Soap vs. Commercial Dishwasher Detergent
To understand why they cannot be swapped, you need to look at their chemical profiles:
- Foam Level: Manual soap is High-Foam. Meanwhile, professional commercial dishwasher detergent is formulated to be Non-Foaming (or low-foam) so that the water pressure from the wash arms is not obstructed by bubbles.
- Alkalinity Level: Commercial dishwasher detergent has a highly aggressive alkaline pH. This is designed to instantly dissolve thick grease and proteins in seconds without the need for manual scrubbing.
The Best Commercial Dishwasher Detergent from Niitaka
Your commercial dishwasher is a valuable investment. To maintain its longevity while ensuring your plates are hygienically free of bacteria, using the right cleaning liquid is the ultimate key.
PT Niitaka Japindo Makmur provides specialized liquid detergents with Japanese quality standards. Our highly concentrated commercial dishwasher detergent is proven to effectively strip away stubborn grease without producing machine-damaging foam.
Want to save your commercial kitchen assets while cutting down long-term costs? Or perhaps you see this as a business opportunity? Learn more about the opportunities to become a Niitaka professional detergent distributor, or click the button below to consult directly with our team!
It is highly not recommended. Manual dish soap produces excessive foam. When exposed to the high-pressure water spray inside the machine, the foam will overflow, clog the hoses, and potentially destroy your commercial dishwasher’s circulation pump.
The main differences lie in the foam level and pH. Commercial dishwasher detergents are formulated to be low-foam or non-foaming to maximize water spray pressure. Additionally, they contain stronger alkaline concentrations to instantly dissolve grease in high-temperature water without manual scrubbing.
This can happen for three reasons: 1) You are using the wrong type of detergent or regular soap that cannot withstand high temperatures, 2) Your chemical dispenser hose is clogged, or 3) You are not using a Rinse Aid during the final rinse cycle.
You can get Japanese-standard liquid dishwasher detergent that is safe for commercial machines through PT Niitaka Japindo Makmur. We provide highly concentrated commercial volumes that offer maximum cleaning power with cost-efficient usage.
