A simple act of washing dishes has unexpectedly ignited a fierce transatlantic debate, pitting American sensibilities against British practices. The catalyst is a viral video shared by a British influencer, which has left viewers, particularly Americans, in a state of shock and disbelief over a seemingly mundane household chore.
The Viral Clip That Started It All
The controversy stems from a video posted on Instagram by Joshua Cauldwell, who boasts a substantial following of 1.3 million users on his account @imjoshfromengland2. In the now-viral clip, Cauldwell demonstrates his dishwashing technique: he scrubs plates and pans with a soapy sponge to remove food and grime. However, the step that followed left many aghast.
Instead of rinsing the soap suds off under running water—a step most consider fundamental—Cauldwell simply places the soap-covered dishes directly onto the drying rack. "I'm washing the dishes, and in the UK we do something that apparently is only done in the UK," he explains in the video. "When we wash our dishes, with soap, like so, we don't rinse the soap, we simply put it to dry with the soap on. This is normal practice in the UK. Apparently, in America, you guys don't do this."
Transatlantic Outrage and Reactions
The internet's reaction was swift and overwhelmingly critical, with Americans leading the charge of disbelief. Comments flooded in expressing horror at the thought of consuming soap residue. One user exclaimed, "Whhhhatttt??? You’re kidding. I’m Canadian and this is wild to me." Another commanded, "So you’re eating all that soap? Has it ever occurred to you? To do it like you wash your hands or hair? You. Rinse. It. Off."
The surprise wasn't limited to North America. A South African user quipped, "South African here to tell you you’re wrong and I’m mad you made me side with America." Others drew parallels to showering habits, asking, "Do you also lather up in the shower and then just get out all soapy?"
Interestingly, the backlash was not exclusive to foreigners. Many British users were quick to distance themselves from Cauldwell's claim that this is standard UK practice. One Brit commented, "Fellow Brit here. Who is this 'we' you speak of? I have never personally known anyone who doesn't rinse the soap off." Another simply stated, "In the UK we rinse the soap," indicating the influencer's method might be a personal quirk rather than a national norm.
What Do the Experts Say About This Method?
Leaving soap to dry on dishes is more than just a cultural oddity; it could pose health risks. Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of cleaning service Maid2Match, provided expert insight to UNILAD. He explained that the correct method is to rinse, as water should carry away soap molecules and dirt.
Schulz highlighted a key issue: "Not all the water will run off—some of it will evaporate or dry on the dishes instead." This means detergent residue is left behind. While ingesting small amounts occasionally may not be immediately harmful for most, consistent exposure is problematic. "Over time, consistent ingestion of residue can pose health risks, including gastrointestinal irritation and endocrine disruption," Schulz warned. This is particularly concerning for individuals with allergies to detergent ingredients.
The clear advice from experts is unequivocal: for safety and hygiene, always rinse your dishes thoroughly with clean water after soaping them up. The viral debate serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, the most everyday habits are worth a second look.
