10 Things You Should Never Clean With Soap—and What to Use Instead

Wool and Cashmere

Despite popular misconceptions, wool and cashmere do not have to be professionally dry-cleaned, but you should never use soap to launder them. "These items will become misshapen and shrink," says Liz Eggert, senior textile scientist at P&G Fabric Care. Instead of using soap, opt for a good quality wool wash or hair shampoo—because, after all, wool and cashmere are hair.

Silks

Silk is another material that many believe requires professional dry-cleaning, but can actually be washed at home. However, you’ll want to wash each piece individually and use a very gentle detergent instead of soap. "Dyes used in silks tend not to be colorfast and will bleed," says Eggert. A mild shampoo can also be a good cleanser for silks.

Mirrors

Using soap and water to clean mirrors can leave visible streaks, especially if you have hard water. Depending on the surface, it could be incredibly difficult to remove this residue, says Gagliardi. Whenever you’re cleaning shiny objects, opt for specially formulated products instead of soap.

Cast-Iron Skillets

Cast-iron pots and pans are among the most durable, but soap can be potentially damaging. Soap and water can cause your cast-iron cookware to rust. It can also remove its seasoning, or the layers of oils that have accumulated over years of use that help create a smooth cooking surface. Instead of using soap, use a combination of salt and oil to remove any stubborn bits of food that are sticking.

Leather and Suede

Leather and suede can be tricky to clean due to the number of different finishes they can have. Using soap for these materials can dry them out, leading to permanent damage, says Eggert. 

More often than not, you can spot treat washable leather and suede with water and a mild detergent, but be sure not to rub, as it can actually make dirt or stains harder to remove. Some leather and suede items are dry clean only while others may be labeled “not washable,” in which case it is best to abide by the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fur

Fur coats, whether they are made from real or synthetic fur, should never be cleaned with soap. Real fur, in particular, can dry out and become damaged from laundering at home, says Eggert. Instead, have your furs dry-cleaned and allow a professional to remove any stains and avoid using soaps, detergents, or stain removers, which can cause irreparable harm to the material.

Coffee Makers

Using soap in your coffee maker can lead to soapy, sudsy-tasting coffee and it can even make your coffee bubble. When you are ready to clean your coffee maker, use a mixture of water and white vinegar instead. White vinegar can help dissolve any mineral deposits in the machine without leaving a soapy aftertaste behind.

Towels and Absorbent Fabrics

Towels, absorbent fabrics, and laundry in general should be washed with laundry detergent instead of soap. Using soap to do laundry can make the fabric scratchy and less capable of absorbing moisture, says Gagliardi.

Windows

Cleaning windows—or anything made of glass, for that matter—with soap and water can create a film. The levels of magnesium and calcium in your water factor into how noticeable it is, but the only way to remove it is to use a vinegar rinse to dissolve it, says Gagliardi. Instead, choose a cleaning product specifically designed for windows that does not need to be rinsed with water.

Surfaces That Need Disinfecting

While soap is effective at removing dirt and oil, most soap can’t sanitize or disinfect. Surfaces that are common touch points, like doorknobs, countertops, faucets, and lightswitches, should be disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria. Unless a soap product has an EPA registration, you’ll need to use a separate disinfectant or sanitizing product to kill germs, shares Gagliardi.