Laundry products can affect finishes and leave slippery or sticky surfaces. Cleaning them appropriately can prevent a surface problem from becoming a control or access concern.
Understanding this situation
Use the manufacturer's approved exterior-cleaning method and avoid flooding gaps with water. A spill that has entered electrical controls is different from a small visible mark on a permitted wipeable surface.
A useful next step
Keep the machine unused if there is suspected ingress or erratic operation after the spill. Report the product and location. Do not spray another chemical into the controls to dissolve residue or repeatedly switch on to check whether the panel has dried.
Manuals and supporting guidance
Model-specific instructions take priority. These references support the practical principles discussed here; they do not diagnose your appliance.