Safe to put bowls in the dishwasher that were thrown up in?
June 30, 2023 2:58 PM Subscribe
Sorry for the gross title, but I had my first chemo infusion yesterday and threw up in three bowls (bowls typically used for mixing food or having popcorn in). Is it safe to put those in the dishwasher?
Reason I ask is because the puke was somewhat pungent (although baking soda helped) and it's kind of disgusting to imagine putting bowls used for puke in the dishwasher.
Any other tips to help get the bowls clean completely in the dishwasher would be greatly appreciated! Hoping I feel better soon.
Reason I ask is because the puke was somewhat pungent (although baking soda helped) and it's kind of disgusting to imagine putting bowls used for puke in the dishwasher.
Any other tips to help get the bowls clean completely in the dishwasher would be greatly appreciated! Hoping I feel better soon.
yeah, just rinse them as well as you can (outside with the hose is fine if you don't want it going into your sink/disposal) and put them in the dishwasher.
in general you will have better luck getting things clean if they are made of glass or metal, than plastic. but even plastic will probably come out smelling fine, assuming it's dishwasher safe plastic.
good luck.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:13 PM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
in general you will have better luck getting things clean if they are made of glass or metal, than plastic. but even plastic will probably come out smelling fine, assuming it's dishwasher safe plastic.
good luck.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:13 PM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
BTW, they now sell disposable emesis bags that are very easy to use (they're wide mouthed so you can just hold them up to your face and barf away). You might want to pick up a few dozen on Amazon or similar.
posted by praemunire at 3:15 PM on June 30, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 3:15 PM on June 30, 2023 [5 favorites]
Yes, love. Puke itself into the toilet bowl, dishes into the dishwasher. No grosser or weirder than anything else that goes into the dishwasher. It's not like used motor oil or plutonium, just body stuff. It's okay.
Sorry you are going through this and hope you feel better.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:16 PM on June 30, 2023 [22 favorites]
Sorry you are going through this and hope you feel better.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:16 PM on June 30, 2023 [22 favorites]
Yes, as long as the bowls are made from a dishwasher-safe material it's completely fine to wash them this way. The dishwasher will clean them easier and with less ick factor than hand-washing. Hope you feel better soon.
posted by 4rtemis at 3:18 PM on June 30, 2023
posted by 4rtemis at 3:18 PM on June 30, 2023
Totally safe - but this is what buckets are for! I am very barfy in general and trust me, buckets are your friend going forward.
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:26 PM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:26 PM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: The bowls are plastic but definitely DW-safe. Thanks, @praemunire for the suggestion! I used those bags in the hospital post-surgery, they were definitely useful. I'll look into that :)
Should I add a bowl of vinegar to the top shelf? I plan to wash the bowls by themselves to reduce any chance of cross-contamination, but would vinegar help in addition to DW soap?
posted by dubious_dude at 3:27 PM on June 30, 2023
Should I add a bowl of vinegar to the top shelf? I plan to wash the bowls by themselves to reduce any chance of cross-contamination, but would vinegar help in addition to DW soap?
posted by dubious_dude at 3:27 PM on June 30, 2023
I'm so sorry you're going through this. My bestie had cancer and I was there for the whole thing, so this is very familiar. Two things: You can search for "emesis bag" on Amazon or the like to easily find inexpensive disposable bags with wide plastic openings -- meaning, they stay open so you don't have to worry about trying to hold it open when you're throwing up. Those are easy. But also FYI your dishwasher gets very hot inside when it's working, and it will sanitize any bowl you use. So that's totally, totally fine. You don't need to add anything beyond the usual detergent you use.
Hang in there.
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:29 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
Hang in there.
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:29 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
Dishwasher detergent is STRONG. It's literally corrosive (alkaline) and abrasive. There's nothing in vomit that is any worse than the stuff that ends up on dishes (including ones that came from the back of the fridge after months of science) in the dishwasher every day.
But yeah, get the bags. Because all you have to do is hit a bowl at the wrong angle + velocity to get a very unpleasant physics lesson about how much puke can bounce. You don't want to know this.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:38 PM on June 30, 2023 [11 favorites]
But yeah, get the bags. Because all you have to do is hit a bowl at the wrong angle + velocity to get a very unpleasant physics lesson about how much puke can bounce. You don't want to know this.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:38 PM on June 30, 2023 [11 favorites]
I'm sorry you are feeling so sick!
For what it's worth, when I was feeding my kid breastmilk in baby bottles and had to worry about cross-contamination with food germs, the CDC gave two options: (1) washing in hot soapy water in a separate basin or (2) washing in the dishwasher with hot water and heated dry/sanitizing cycle. No need to separate from other dishes.
In other words the dishwasher with hot water and heated drying is very good at killing bacteria.
posted by muddgirl at 4:02 PM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
For what it's worth, when I was feeding my kid breastmilk in baby bottles and had to worry about cross-contamination with food germs, the CDC gave two options: (1) washing in hot soapy water in a separate basin or (2) washing in the dishwasher with hot water and heated dry/sanitizing cycle. No need to separate from other dishes.
In other words the dishwasher with hot water and heated drying is very good at killing bacteria.
posted by muddgirl at 4:02 PM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
[slight derail] In regards to chemo chemicals (rather than gut germs), I was told to wear gloves, glasses and mask when cleaning the toilet for the first few days after each infusion as the excess chemo chemicals are released via the kidneys.
posted by Thella at 4:35 PM on June 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Thella at 4:35 PM on June 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Our family friend, Bob The Blue Barf Bowl, also gets used for popcorn. A good washing and you're back in business!
posted by wenestvedt at 4:54 PM on June 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 4:54 PM on June 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
As you may have seen already, there is another function of the inner ear: emetic response to poisons:
posted by jamjam at 5:46 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
It was concluded that the inner ear is part of the normal mechanism for vomiting in response to poisons, and that one of the physiological functions of the inner ear is to facilitate the emetic response to poisons. It seems likely that the mechanism, whereby the vestibular apparatus facilitates the emetic response to poisons, is the basis of motion sickness. In essence, motion sickness can be considered the result of activation, by motion, of a mechanism that normally functions to facilitate vomiting in response to poisons.I might have guessed your deafness would make you less prone to nausea from chemotherapy, but it could be making you more sensitive. If it continues or gets worse, you might want to raise the issue with your doctors, and see if they think you should take medications to control it.
posted by jamjam at 5:46 PM on June 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
Seconding jamjam for the second time in two days! There is definitely medication beyond Gravol that will help with nausea. Ask for it if this doesn't settle down quickly... there's no prize for suffering. I'm sorry you're having this side effect, dude, but just think how this stuff is kicking the shit out of those cancer cells! Hang in there. One of my best friends has just started down this road, so you've crossed my mind more than once.
posted by kate4914 at 6:22 PM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kate4914 at 6:22 PM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
This is probably not necessary, but when I'm super grossed out by something that happened in a dish (moldy tomato yesterday, wildlife incident, etc.), I will wipe out / wash the item with detergent, then fill one side of the sink with hot water, add a generous dollop of bleach, and let it soak for at least 1/2 hour.
If you use non-plastic items (or some kinds of plastic) that are small enough to fit insice, Instant Pots seem to have a sanitize cycle.
posted by amtho at 8:35 PM on June 30, 2023
If you use non-plastic items (or some kinds of plastic) that are small enough to fit insice, Instant Pots seem to have a sanitize cycle.
posted by amtho at 8:35 PM on June 30, 2023
would vinegar help in addition to DW soap?
Dishwasher detergent is strongly alkaline (basic, the opposite of acidic). Adding vinegar, an acid, will make it less effective by neutralizing some of the alkalinity. It's not the end of the world or anything, but it definitely won't help.
Sometimes running a cycle with an acid can help clean out your dishwasher or to remove limescale from glasses, but in that you case want only acid, no detergent. For this, normal detergent is fine.
posted by ssg at 10:12 PM on June 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
Dishwasher detergent is strongly alkaline (basic, the opposite of acidic). Adding vinegar, an acid, will make it less effective by neutralizing some of the alkalinity. It's not the end of the world or anything, but it definitely won't help.
Sometimes running a cycle with an acid can help clean out your dishwasher or to remove limescale from glasses, but in that you case want only acid, no detergent. For this, normal detergent is fine.
posted by ssg at 10:12 PM on June 30, 2023 [8 favorites]
I think that the heat of the dishwasher would also help sanitize things. You're fine washing them as you would normally.
Best of luck to you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:25 AM on July 1, 2023
Best of luck to you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:25 AM on July 1, 2023
Half an hour of hot high pressure corrosive water jets? Assuming the dishwasher drain works properly and nothing blocks the spray, what comes out of there is cleaner you'll ever make it in a sink by hand. Don't worry about it!
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:40 AM on July 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:40 AM on July 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I never had any nausea after my chemo, but 'just in case' I was given anti-nausea tabs, and if they didn't do the job I had half a dozen ampules of full-fat anti- nausea medicine for the district nurse to administer if/as required. I say this because this sort of support should (hopefully) be available to you, especially as you have already had an episode.
Sorry to hear you need this stuff, and that it is having this effect on you - good luck!
posted by GeeEmm at 6:26 AM on July 1, 2023
Sorry to hear you need this stuff, and that it is having this effect on you - good luck!
posted by GeeEmm at 6:26 AM on July 1, 2023
Yes, totally fine to do this. No need to do anything special like adding other cleaning products or vinegar.
I always used buckets for vomit growing up, but recently thought about it and realised that bowls which fit in the dishwasher actually make much more sense. I hate trying to clean vomit buckets! I bought a couple of dedicated vomit bowls but luckily haven't had to use them yet.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:41 AM on July 1, 2023
I always used buckets for vomit growing up, but recently thought about it and realised that bowls which fit in the dishwasher actually make much more sense. I hate trying to clean vomit buckets! I bought a couple of dedicated vomit bowls but luckily haven't had to use them yet.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:41 AM on July 1, 2023
Dishwasher detergent is extremely strong, and has bleach or sanitizer in it. The bowls will get clean, though you may feel squeamish using them next time, but they're really fine. You might like to keep a comfort basket nearby, with a bespoke container, water, washcloths, whatever soothes the nasty taste, and any med. supplies. Good luck with the treatment.
posted by Mom at 6:48 AM on July 1, 2023
posted by Mom at 6:48 AM on July 1, 2023
If hearing from more people helps reassure you, I would also agree that it's totally safe to give your bowls a wash, and that your dishwasher is going to get them sanitary for you. Moreover, you're not throwing up because of something like norovirus or anything - I'm not a biohazard expert but it doesn't seem to me that what you're throwing up is likely to be more infectious or germy than what you ate in the first place (though I am fully prepared to defer to an expert on that one).
Count me as yet another long(ish) time Mefite who is pulling for you, dubious_dude.
posted by DingoMutt at 7:50 AM on July 1, 2023
Count me as yet another long(ish) time Mefite who is pulling for you, dubious_dude.
posted by DingoMutt at 7:50 AM on July 1, 2023
As others said, yes. You didn't puke because of bacteria or a virus that could be contagious, so definitely OK to mix with other dishes in the dishwasher.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 8:08 AM on July 1, 2023
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 8:08 AM on July 1, 2023
Well I guess that's another answer to add to your previous question "Going into chemotherapy. Tips, suggestions are needed" as an answer;
"Buy dedicated bowls/options to puke in".
Cancer sucks
posted by Lesium at 3:37 AM on July 2, 2023
"Buy dedicated bowls/options to puke in".
Cancer sucks
posted by Lesium at 3:37 AM on July 2, 2023
Dishwasher detergent is extremely strong, and has bleach or sanitizer in it
This isn't necessarily true. Our dishwashing powder contains neither.
As long as your dishes aren't made of absorbent material and your dishwasher is working properly anything germy is going to be washed down the drain.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:48 AM on July 2, 2023
Nthing what everybody else says about toxicity of chemo, it should wash out. A little trash can might be a better emesis target (higher walls).
Adding for posterity, if you're puking because of RADIATION therapy...don't save the plastic bowl. Double bag it and toss it. But chemo should wash out pretty good.
All that said... if they're totally washed out and clean, and just the thought of the bowl makes you want to puke again? Toss it. Nobody knows what psychological trauma is gonna come out of a prolonged illness.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 4:55 PM on July 2, 2023
Adding for posterity, if you're puking because of RADIATION therapy...don't save the plastic bowl. Double bag it and toss it. But chemo should wash out pretty good.
All that said... if they're totally washed out and clean, and just the thought of the bowl makes you want to puke again? Toss it. Nobody knows what psychological trauma is gonna come out of a prolonged illness.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 4:55 PM on July 2, 2023
Response by poster: Reporting back — normal (non-radiative) chemo. Washed them in the DW by themselves, no vinegar. Smells just fine. Considering this solved — thanks for all the helpful input!
posted by dubious_dude at 10:19 PM on July 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:19 PM on July 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
There's no risk of pathogens, since the throwing up wasn't caused by an infectious illness or by contaminated food. Stomach acid is mostly hydrochloric acid (HCl), which when neutralized just gives you ions found anyway in salt-water.
Hang in there <3
posted by heatherlogan at 3:08 PM on June 30, 2023 [21 favorites]