How to Clean Up Spilled Laundry Detergent

Spilled laundry detergent turns a quick chore into an annoying mess. It’s slippery, sticky, and somehow always way harder to clean than you’d expect. Worse, it can warp floors or permanently damage carpet, all while leaving a funky residue behind.

Don’t worry, though. As frustrating as it may be, we’ll show you the best way to clean up laundry detergent spills in this guide. Whether it’s liquid or powders, you’ll feel confident in how to clean up spilled laundry detergent.

More importantly, you’ll know how to avoid the issue altogether going forward. No, it’s not as simple as just being more careful. You need to say goodbye to liquid detergent for good and upgrade to our laundry detergent sheets or laundry detergent pods.

Clean People simplifies laundry day while bringing safer, gentler laundry detergent ingredients to your arsenal. No spills, stress, or irritation. Get a simple, effective clean without the drama today!

How to Clean Up Spilled Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent might look harmless, but it becomes a nightmare the moment it hits the floor. It’s thick, slippery, and spreads fast, especially on tile or wood. It clings to everything, making mops and rags less effective until you rinse them repeatedly.

Don’t leave any residue behind, either – or you’re left with a sticky film that attracts more dirt and can even damage certain flooring finishes. The faster you act, the easier it is – but only if you know the right cleanup steps.

So, let’s get into how to clean up spilled laundry detergent below!

Step 1: Contain the Spill Before It Spreads

First things first, we need to contain the mess and prevent it from spreading any further than it already has. You’re only going to be left with a bigger headache if it starts running under the washer or into grout lines.

Grab paper towels, cloth towels, or even a dustpan to create a barrier if it’s liquid detergent you’re dealing with. For powder spills, gently block the area to prevent tracking. The goal here is to buy yourself time to grab the right tools without the mess doubling in size.

Now that the spill is contained, remove as much detergent as you can without smearing it deeper. The best way to clean up laundry detergent spills depends on what the mess is, exactly:

• For liquid: Use a dustpan, spatula, or even stiff cardboard to scoop it up. Then blot with dry paper towels.
• For powder: Carefully scoop it back into a bin or bag using a dustpan. Avoid sweeping immediately – it’ll kick particles into the air or grind them into the surface.

The more you can remove before cleaning, the less residue you’ll have to deal with later.

Step 2: Dilute With Water and Blot, Don’t Rub

Next, lightly pour or spray warm water over the affected area to dilute the detergent. Then, use a clean towel or sponge to blot (press and lift). Rubbing creates suds and spreads the mess, especially if it’s concentrated.

Keep blotting until you stop lifting visible detergent. If the detergent has dried, re-wet the area and let it sit for a few minutes to soften before blotting again.

Step 3: Clean the Surface With Warm Water and Vinegar (or Soap-Free Cleaners)

Neutralizing the detergent using a 1:1 mixture of warm water and white vinegar breaks down any lingering soapiness and prevents slick spots from forming. Apply the mixture, let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then blot or wipe it away.

Don’t use soap-based cleaners at this stage. You’re still trying to remove the detergent, not add more soapy suds to the mess! Make sure you test the agent in a small area first if you’re working on wood or any sort of delicate floor.

Step 4: Tackle Slipperiness or Residue Left Behind

Any slipperiness or tackiness left behind means there is still detergent residue on the floor, even if you can’t see it. Repeat the vinegar solution step or do a rinse with plain warm water.

On tile, linoleum, or laminate, don’t stop cleaning until the surface feels normal to the touch. There should be zero slickness or stickiness. As for carpet, sprinkle baking soda after cleaning and vacuum once dry to lift anything left behind.

Step 5: Dispose of Waste Properly

At this point most of the work associated with how to clean up spilled laundry detergent is done. Toss any paper towels, cloths, or tools used in the cleanup into a plastic bag and tie it shut.

If the detergent spilled on something reusable (like rags or mops), rinse them thoroughly outside before throwing them in the wash. Otherwise, you’ll flood your machine with suds.

Never pour concentrated detergent down a drain without diluting it, as it can clog pipes or damage septic systems. And there you have it, how to clean up laundry detergent!

Special Cleanup Scenarios for Laundry Detergent Spills

Now, we want to provide some more specific details for different types of spills.

Carpet

Carpets are the worst place for a detergent spill. Not just because they soak it up like a sponge, but because the detergent lathers every time you try to clean it. Try these tips:

• Blot first, never rub. Press with dry towels to lift as much detergent as possible before adding any moisture.
• Use minimal water in cycles. Flooding it will just activate the soap and make the carpet foamy. Instead, spray lightly with warm water, then blot. Repeat. Over and over.
• Finish with a rinse-and-suck method. If you have a wet vac, it can pull out the final residues and water. Otherwise, towels and weight (like a heavy book wrapped in plastic) help extract leftover moisture.

Using white vinegar in later cycles to cut the slickness and reduce sudsing. We have a more detailed guide on dealing with spilled laundry detergent on carpet if you’d like to learn more.

Concrete or Garage Floors

Concrete is porous, which means detergent can sink in and leave a slick film that’s hard to see. It’s dangerous since it can be so slippery – cleaning becomes a safety concern in this case:

• Start dry, then wet. Sweep or scrape up powder or thick liquid before doing anything else. If you hit it with water first, the detergent may seep deeper into the concrete.
• Use hot water + vinegar to break up the film. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush to lift any detergent that’s soaked in.
• Rinse with purpose. You may need to hose the area down repeatedly until there are no visible bubbles when scrubbing.
• Dry with absorbent material. If you leave it wet, the soap film will reappear once the water evaporates.

Spilled Powder Detergent

You’d think powder detergent would be easier to clean than liquid, but it’s sneaky. You can release fine dust into the air (hello sneezing fit) and grind particles into surfaces if you try to sweep it dry. So, instead, try this approach:

• Scoop carefully before sweeping. Use a dustpan or even cardboard to lift the pile without dragging it across the floor.
• Vacuum, don’t sweep. A handheld vacuum or shop vac is better for picking up what’s left, especially on textured surfaces or in grout lines.
• Wipe last, only if needed. Do a damp cloth wipe-down with plain water once the visible powder is gone – no soap. Powder detergent is soap.

These tricky situations all require the same mindset: go slow, work in layers, and don’t let frustration make you smear or soak too soon.

Avoid Laundry Detergent Spills Altogether With Clean People’s Laundry Sheets!

Spills aren’t an issue when there’s nothing to spill. That’s exactly why Clean People makes laundry products that don’t come in heavy, leaky jugs. Our laundry detergent pods and laundry detergent sheets made in USA are your new best friend on laundry day.

They’re pre-measured, mess-free, and dissolve completely in hot or cold water. No pouring, measuring, or dripping down the bottle or across the floor. We use septic-safe laundry detergent ingredients, too, so you never have to worry about that.

Plus, our products help you cut down on plastic in your life. They’re cruelty-free and come in recyclable packaging, and they’re great for travel, too. In looking at the differences between laundry sheets vs pods, you can’t go wrong either way if you choose Clean People!

“Clean People have come up with the best laundry detergent that I have ever used, and I will continue to order as needed to keep my family healthy from using healthy detergent to wash our laundry items!!! Thank you, Clean People and continue to do what you are doing!!” – Jamila

“I love the laundry detergent pods. Been using them for several years. Clothes always come out clean. Would highly recommend this product!” – Dawn

“I was excited to have something better for my family and myself as well as the environment and saw some comments on how the laundry pods had a nice smell but oh my gosh, opening the dryer is a blast of freshness. It’s also nice to discover that it doesn’t just mask smells but truly seems to clean and clear them out.” – Chelsea

Closing Thoughts on How to Clean Up Laundry Detergent

That does it for our guide on how to clean up spilled laundry detergent. As frustrating as this mess may be, you should feel confident in how to clean up laundry detergent spills now.

We’ve walked you through exactly how to tackle spills on any surface, plus how to avoid them in the first place. And that’s the real takeaway: prevention beats cleanup every time.

So, don’t let this happen again. See what 100,000+ customers are loving in our top-rated store!