For many Nigerians relocating to the UK, the first cultural shock is not the weather, the food, or even the work culture.

It is the kitchen sink.

A social media post by Oluwakso has sparked lively debate after he claimed to have observed a peculiar dishwashing habit in the UK — washing plates with liquid soap and placing them directly on the rack without rinsing.

“In Naija, we rinse plates like three times and even sun-dry them to kill germs,” he wrote humorously. “But UK? Soap residue is the new seasoning?”

The comment triggered a wave of reactions — ranging from disbelief to defence, cultural explanations, and outright disgust.

“I’ve Seen It With My Own Eyes”
Several contributors insisted the practice is real.

Kingsley said he had heard about it until he experienced it firsthand. Arike described tasting soap residue in a cup and said she now rewashes plates before using them. Anifowose Eyan Dangote called it one of his biggest workplace cultural shocks and now makes it a habit to rewash items before use.

Save Cole claimed similar practices occur in bars across parts of Europe, where glasses are dipped in soapy water and returned to service racks without rinsing.

Avuskiy Jamin shared a colleague’s explanation: that it saves water and whoever intends to use the plate can rinse it themselves if they wish.

“Not Everyone Does That”

However, others pushed back strongly.
Sam, who says he has lived in the UK all his life, denied that it is common practice, noting that most households either use dishwashers or rinse plates with clean water before drying them with tea towels.

Joshua Aragon simply described it as cultural difference rather than hygiene failure.

The responses suggest the behaviour is not universal, but may be observed in certain households, workplaces, or older routines.

Where Did It Come From?
Some respondents attempted to trace possible origins.

Adiagha and Lassie suggested it could be linked to historical water conservation practices during wartime or economic hardship.

Ademola pointed to a 1970s Fairy Liquid advert that reportedly demonstrated the detergent’s safety when used correctly — possibly reinforcing the idea that small residue amounts were harmless.

Others speculated that the assumption behind the practice is that dishwashing liquid is diluted and non-toxic, and that air drying reduces contamination risk.

Hygiene vs Cultural Framing
The discussion quickly shifted beyond plates.

Amadi Sinachii framed it along racial lines, claiming she had only seen white people do it. Others extended the conversation into broader critiques of European hygiene practices — though such generalisations were contested by commenters like Sam.

Iyke the Rapper highlighted what he described as irony: growing up hearing that excessive cleanliness was “oyinbo behaviour,” yet encountering habits abroad that felt less hygienic than Nigerian norms.

Meanwhile, Adenrele Brand noted seeing similar practices in South Africa, suggesting the behaviour is not uniquely British.

The debate reflects something deeper than soap — it exposes how hygiene standards are socially constructed and culturally reinforced.

What Does the Science Say?
From a public health perspective, standard dishwashing guidance typically recommends:

- Washing with detergent
- Rinsing thoroughly with clean water
- Air drying or drying with a clean towel

Most commercial dishwashing liquids are formulated to be low-toxicity when diluted properly. However, consistent ingestion of detergent residue is not recommended, even if small accidental amounts are unlikely to cause harm.

The key issue is not “vitamins in soap,” as joked in the original post, but risk perception. Some cultures prioritise thorough rinsing as a visible sign of cleanliness. Others rely on trust in product formulation and drying methods.

The Real Story: Migration and Micro-Culture Shock
For Nigerians relocating to the UK, small domestic differences often trigger disproportionate reactions because they challenge ingrained norms.
In Nigeria, rinsing multiple times — sometimes followed by sun exposure — signals thoroughness and hygiene discipline. In some UK households, efficiency, water conservation, and trust in detergent effectiveness may shape behaviour differently.

Neither system necessarily reflects moral superiority. But they do reflect design, habit, and context.

As Kenny joked, when he rinsed dishes in front of someone, he was told he had “an interesting way of doing dishes.”
Cultural shock sometimes begins with something as small as a teacup.

The Bottom Line
Is everyone in the UK leaving soap on plates? No.

Is it a practice some migrants have encountered? Clearly, yes.

Does it represent a larger conversation about hygiene, race, history, and migration? Absolutely.

For now, many Nigerians abroad appear to have adopted a simple strategy: rewash before use.

As one commenter bluntly put it: “Just carry your own cup to work.”