TiffyTaffy
TiffyTaffy
November 24, 2024 ·  15 min read

50 Different Ways Dish Soap Can Simplify Your Life

We all love Dawn dish soap for doing all them pesky dishes. Among cutting grease and having a pleasant aroma, it does it all without drying out our dear hands. But would you believe me if I told you that Dawn is useful for a lot more than just getting the last of your lasagna off your plate? Would you believe me if I told you it’s good for at least 50 different things? Got insects? Ice build-up? Eczema?…

Well, buckle up, because I have for your reading pleasure a list of 50 amazing things you may never have known the magical liquid could do!

Catch fruit flies

Fruit flies are so pesky and annoying, aren’t they? Get rid of them with the help of Dawn dish soap. Put a few drops of the soap in a small bowl or container with some white vinegar. They’ll be attracted to the white vinegar then become stuck in the Dawn.

DIY sidewalk and driveway de-icer

Make sure you don’t slip on an icy stoop or sidewalk by using a really effective Dawn mixture. Mix a teaspoon of Dawn soap with a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a half gallon of warm water. Pour the warm mixture over the icy area and it will prevent the sidewalk or stoop from re-freezing.

Get clean, clear, sparkling window

Chaotically Creative claims that this is conclusively the best method for window cleaning. Let it be known she got this handy tip from a professional cleaning company, and now it’s the only method she’ll use. There are a couple of steps involved, but it’s actually very simple. Pop over to the Chaotically Creative blog for the instructions.

Simple DIY grill cleaner

Using Dawn’s grease and oil-fighting power, it’s the perfect way to clean your barbecue grill. Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and a squirt or two of Dawn soap. Let your grill racks soak for around 10-15 minutes, scrub, and rinse.

Grout cleaner for tile

Don’t you just hate cleaning dirty tile and floor grout? It’s the worst. Thankfully, this chore can be made a lot easier with this simple trick. Place a cup of vinegar in the microwave for one minute and put in a spray bottle. Add one cup of Dawn soap to the spray bottle and give it a shake. Lightly spray the solution on your grout and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the dirt and grime away. Rinse with water and you’re done!

Eyeglass cleaner and de-fogger

Using a small spray bottle, create a mixture of one part water, one part rubbing alcohol, and a drop of Dawn dish soap. Spritz the mixture on your eyeglass and rub with a soft microfiber cloth. Your lenses will be crystal clear.

Homemade ant and insect repellent

Nobody likes having a kitchen riddles with insects ? Well, bugs be gone! With this simple Dawn soap solution, you can nip that issue in the bug. Grab a spray bottle and mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, and Dawn dish soap. Spray the overridden area and wait for about 5-10 minutes. After, simply wipe up the spray and the ants.

Brush and comb cleaner

Over time, oils and hair products build-up on our combs and brushes and they require a deep cleaning, and thankfully – there’s Dawn to the rescue! This simple DIY hack will require Dawn dish soap, Borax, and hot water. Head over to The Make Your Own Zone for their step-by-step instructions.

Help eczema

“I have been plagued with eczema on my hands and arms for years. Nothing would take it away. Since showering with Blue Dawn, my eczema has completely disappeared. I am thrilled beyond belief with this wonderful product. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” said an avid Dawn user to Everyday Cheapskate.

Non-toxic pest killer for garden

Avoid using nasty toxic chemicals in your garden and opt for Dawn dish soap instead. Although a Dawn and water mixture won’t kill all insects, it’s wonderful for repelling spider mites, aphids, and other common garden pests. Home Guides at SF Gate has more information.

Make dish soap ice packs

Why would you add dish soap when you could just freeze water in a ziplock bag, right? Well, here’s a fun life hack that you might not know. When you freeze a mixture of Dawn soap and water, the soap prevents it from completely freezing. This makes it the perfect ice pack for wrapping around elbow, shoulders, and knees.

Homemade flea bath

Flea medication can be expensive and rough on your dog’s skin and fur. Make a much less harsh, yet still effective, version using Dawn. Fill your bathtub with warm water and add one cup of Dawn dish soap. Soak your pet in the mixture for five minutes then give them a good scrub from head to toe. Let them dry and use a comb through their fur to remove the fleas.

Easy-to-make carpet cleaner

If you have a nasty stain on your carpet, you don’t have to rush to the store for expensive carpet cleaners. This DIY concoction will have your carpets looking brand new in no time. In a spray bottle, mix 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 1 ounce of Dawn dish soap. Spray the stain or problem area and scrub with a rag. Finish by spraying with plain water and scrubbing to remove any remnants of the stain as well as the soap.

Easy-to-make carpet cleaner

Get your walls and floors looking like new by using olive oil…just kidding, of course it’s Dawn! All you’ve got to do is mix half a teaspoon of liquid Dawn, a teaspoon of ammonia, one half-cup of Borax, and to two gallons of warm water. Don’t forget your gloves, and a soft rag or scrubbing brush – In no time you’ll clean the dirt, grime, and fingerprints all away!

Homemade Dawn bubbles

Who doesn’t love playing with bubbles? Instead of spending money on pre-made bubbles, make your own! All you’ll need is a cup of Dawn, 6 cups of water, 1/4 cup of light corn syrup, and a container. First, put the water in the container and slowly add the soap while stirring, avoiding making it foam or bubble. Add the corn syrup, stir, and you’re good to go!

Get rid of excess hair color from hair

If you dye your hair at home, it’s easy to go a little overboard with the hair dye if you’re not a professional. For those that dye their hair dark, don’t fret if you’ve found the tone to be a bit darker than you wanted. Just use Dawn in place of your shampoo and it will lightly strip the color down to your desired shade.

Remove soap scum from tub

Dawn is a miracle worker when it comes to uses in the bathroom. One of those uses is removing soap scum. Simple pour liquid Dawn over the dirty area, let it sit overnight, then rinse clean with water the next morning. It cuts through scum, grease, and grime without harming the material.

Wash your car

Forget the dishes, and turn your Dawn dish soap to your whip! Simply mix a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid to one gallon of water and scrup your car with the soapy solution with a cloth or soft sponge. Ergo, the solutions IS the solution. Bear in mind that Dawn will remove any protective wax, so you’ll need to re-wax the car when you’re done.

Kill fleas living in carpet and furniture

If your pet has recently had fleas, chances are, they’re probably living in your carpet. After you’ve given your pet a flea bath (with Dawn!), make sure to clean your carpets too. Pour a tablespoon of Dawn into a 16-ounce spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Spritz your carpet and upholstery then let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe furniture with a damp towel or vacuum the carpet to remove the excess.

Cleanse oily skin

If you tend to have particularly oily skin, Dawn could be your new best friend. Remember the dish soap for your daily routine by washing your face with only a few drops of Dawn and warm water. Don’t forget to rinse your face thoroughly. The Dawn will cut straight the grease and not dry out your skin.

Tool de-greaser

“It literally takes seconds to clean greasy tools with Dawn Dish Soap. Seconds,” Keenly Kristin’s blog says. All you need to do is put a tablespoon of Dawn in a gallon of hot water. Use a rag to instantly remove oil and grease from tools.

Keep houseplants insect free

Using a spray bottle, place a drop of Dawn inside, and fill the rest with water. Shake well and mist your houseplants with the mixture in order to prevent any insects from wanting to eat it or make it their home. The soapy water mixture is a safe and non-toxic deterrent.

Use as a daily shampoo

In a previous slide, Dawn was used to remove any excess dye from hair, but it can also be used as a daily shampoo – especially if you’re prone to having greasy hair. All you need is a few drops and some water – be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly afterward. Think about all the money you’ll save on shampoo!

Remove stuck-on soot from hearth or fireplace bricks

Soot and ash can harden and settle around your fireplace making the appearance unsightly and dirty. Dawn is an easy fix! Just mix equal part of liquid Dawn dish soap with Morton salt and add enough water to make a paste or cream. Rub the mixture onto the stained brick and let dry for 10 minutes. Wipe clean with a sponge and warm water.

Make cleaning up after painting a breeze

Whether you’re painting a canvas or painting a wall, be sure to apply a layer of Dawn dish soap over your hands and arms then let it dry. If you happen to get any paint on yourself during the paint job, it will come right off when you wash your arms and hands with water. Absolutely genius!

Find a puncture in a car or bicycle tire

Keep finding that your car or bicycle tires are deflating but can’t seem to find the puncture? Well fear not, because Dawn can help. Just mix a few drops of Dawn with a bit of water and brush the suds around the tire. Small bubbles will form around a puncture to indicate where it is so you can either fix it or replace it…or just sit there enjoying the bubble show!

Remove food stains from clothing

Spilling food or drinks on your newly washed shirt has happened to nearly all of us. Even more so if you have young ones in the household. Easily remove any food stains from clothing by mixing 2 teaspoons of Dawn with two teaspoons of white vinegar and two quarts of warm water. Use the simple solution to dissolve the stain.

Prevent insects from entering your home

Although Dawn is great for getting rid of insects and ants that are already in your home, it’s also wonderful for preventing them from getting in in the first place! All you need to do is squeeze out a line of liquid Dawn dish soap around door jams and window sills – the creepy crawlies will get caught in the soap and getting rid of them is as easy as using a hose or wet sponge.

Remove brake dust from car wheels

Since Dawn is so great at cutting through grease – it’s perfect for so many things when it comes to cleaning your car. Mix a few drops of Dawn in a bucket of water and sponge down your car wheels with the solution. Rinse clean with water and your wheels will be sparkling like they’re brand new.

Guide and fish cable through conduits

Guiding cables through tight spaces can be a real pain. Lighten your workload with the help of Dawn. Using a spray bottle with water and a few drops of Dawn, spritz the cable with the mixture before you guide it through a conduit. The soapy solution will help guide the cables through the windy and tight spaces.

Help get rid of a yeast infection

Yeast infections can be unpleasant and uncomfortable – and medication for them can be expensive. Make your own at home using Dawn dish soap. Kill and stop the fungus from spreading by putting a few drops of the liquid soap on the crotch of your underwear, scrub with water, then toss in the washing machine.

Remove tree sap

If you do a lot of wood chopping or are camping and end up with tree sap on your hands or skin, it’s a real pain to try and get off. Here comes Dawn dish soap to the rescue, once again! It will easily eat through the sap without drying your skin.

Clean your kiddie pool

The plastic wading pools that kids use in the warmer months is something that can get grimy, funky, and slimy fairly quickly. To clean it – dump out the water from the pool, then simply scrub it with Dawn using a wet sponge. Avoid using bleach because it will weaken and dry out the plastic.

Help soothe poison ivy blisters

Poison ivy rashes and blisters spread when the oil of the blisters gets pops and moves to other areas of the skin. Since Dawn is great with oils – it’s perfect for soothing any poison ivy mishaps. Wash the affected area with Dawn – it will help dry up the blisters and help prevent it from spreading.

Quick and easy pool cleaner

We mentioned Dawn was great for cleaning kiddie pools, but it’s actually great for cleaning an in-ground pool as well. If you squirt Dawn soap down the length of the pool, all of the suntan lotion, dirt, etc. will move toward the edges of the pool – making it easy to scoop up! The pool will absolutely sparkle afterward.

Use as a non-toxic lubricant

Nothing is more annoying than a squeaky door or cabinet hinge – it’s enough to drive you crazy after a while! Luckily, Dawn can help with that. Just apply a little drop of the soap on the squeaky hinge and your sanity will be restored. It works like a charm AND it cleans the parts it’s lubricating. Double duty!

Keep your fruit trees aphid-free

Aphids are every gardener’s worst enemy. Keep the bothersome insect off your fruit trees by following this simple trick. Mix two tablespoons of Dawn into a gallon of water and add to a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Spray both sides of the leaves, branches, and the trunk then let sit for 15 minutes. Be sure to rinse the tree thoroughly afterward.

Easily clean cloth diapers

Cloth diapers are super economical and great for the environment, but let’s face it – they’re downright nasty to clean. To clean them in a jiffy and without any hassle, just add a little squirt of Dawn to the load of laundry you’ll be washing them in. Run a hot wash and rinse until there are no more bubbles. Don’t overdo it though! You could have a sudsy mess on your hands.

Make tarnished jewelry sparkle again

While Dawn is certainly tough on grease, it’s actually surprisingly gentle on jewellery and metals. Simply mix seven parts hot water with one part ammonia and only a squirt of Dawn dish soap. Using an old toothbrush, scrub your jewellery with the mixture until it’s sparkling like when you first bought it.

Clean makeup sponges

In addition to your brushes, you can also clean your makeup sponges with Dawn as well. “Make a solution of 2 cups warm water and only 1-2 drops of Dawn. Soak your makeup sponges in the solution for 30 minutes or so. Rinse well and repeat until they’re cleaned. Make sure to dry them fully so you don’t risk mold or mildew inside of the sponge,” explains Six Dollar Family.

Prevent bathroom mirror from fogging

Naturally when you get out of the shower, you’re going to want to see your reflection to do your hair or shave or do your makeup. Problem is, it’s nearly impossible to see yourself in the mirror when it’s become completely covered in steam. Prevent this by applying a small amount of Dawn diluted with water on the mirror. The film it leaves behind will make your mirror fog-free next time.

Toilet unclogger

If your toilet is clogged, Dawn can help treat this issue too. The grease-cutting properties of Dawn soap break down oils and other materials in the drain, helping to remove the clog. Just pour a pot of warm water in the towel and a few squirts of Dawn, plunge or flush away the clog.

A manicure miracle

If you’re somebody that likes to save a bit of money and do your own manicures at home – you’ll want to keep Dawn dish soap at an arm’s length. Soak your fingers in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of Dawn to soften your cuticles. The soap will also remove any oils from your nails, making it easier to adhere the nail polish.

Get makeup out of clothing

If you’re a makeup wearer, you know how frustrating it is to put on a shirt only to find that you’ve smeared your foundation or lipstick on it. Use Dawn as a pre-treatment before washing and the stain will come right out.

Remove gum from hair

Our little ones are bound to end up with chewing gum in their hair at least once in their lives. You might think you need to cut that piece of hair off, but actually, Dawn will help work the gum right out. The grease-cutting properties just need to be worked into the piece of gum and it will start to crumble and lift out.

Clean patio furniture

After a year or two of sitting outside without much use or a lot of use, either way you’ll want to give your patio furniture a deep clean before summer–especially if it’s plastic…and especially if it’s white plastic. Simply mix some Dawn and warm water before wiping it down with a sponge or scrub brush.

Remove oil stains from your driveway

“Squirt a large amount of Dawn soap onto the oil stain. Use a large bristle brush to scrub the stain until you start to see the oil pulling out of the asphalt. Rinse off with a hose and repeat this until the stain is gone,” explains Remove and Replace. Easy as that!

Treat acne

Suffering from acne can be miserable, but Dawn can help you treat and clear it up in a few weeks. Wash your face with Dawn twice a day until the oil issue resolves. You’ll have clear skin in no time.

Clean your pool filter

As well as cleaning your pool with the hack mentioned earlier, don’t forget that you can also use Dawn to clean your pool’s filter as well. Simply soak the filter in a mixture of water, baking soda, and Dawn. Remember to rinse the filter thoroughly before returning it to the pool.

Give a friend the gift of knowledge!

Help a friend or family member make their lives simpler by forwarding this link or printing out this post for them. Just a simple bottle of Dawn can accomplish so much around the house – everyone should be in on the secret!

Written By: cmcdonald
This article was originally published on relieved.