What follows is not a life hack. It is a cautionary tale of chemistry, corrosion, and costly repairs. Here is the deep dive on why Liquid Plumr in a dishwasher is a recipe for disaster. To understand the catastrophe, you have to understand what Liquid Plumr actually is. Most gel-based drain cleaners (like Liquid Plumr) contain sodium hydroxide (lye) or sodium hypochlorite (bleach) , mixed with aluminum particles to create heat.
When you pour it down a sink drain, it reacts with water to create an exothermic (heat-producing) reaction that can reach near-boiling temperatures. This heat melts grease, while the chemical eats through organic matter (hair, food sludge). liquid plumr in dishwasher
In a moment of frustration, your eyes dart to the cabinet under the sink. You see the bright bottle. The one that says "Drano" or "Liquid Plumr." And a dangerous little thought creeps in: This stuff dissolves hair and grease in the sink. Why wouldn't it dissolve the gunk in my dishwasher? What follows is not a life hack