These Amazing Dish Soap Hacks Will Help You Clean Everything Around The House
Most people have a bottle of dish soap under the kitchen sink, and they know how great it is to clean plates and cookware. Something they might not know is that dish soap can be used in almost every part of a home, not just the kitchen.
From using dish soap in the garden to fixing squeaky door hinges, these upcoming tips, tricks, and hacks should be a go-to for everyone.
Cleans Stubborn Oil Stains
Sick of looking at those oil stains on your garage floor or on your driveway? Dish soap can help you get those concrete stains out.
It isn't just the dish soap that you'll need though. First, sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, add dish soap and scrub it with a plastic or non-metallic brush. Let the mixture sit on the stain for a few hours then come back to it and scrub again, repeating until the stain is gone.
Greasy Clothing Stains Are No More
Dish soap is a proven grease-fighter but it doesn't have to be just on dishes. It can also help remove grease stains from clothing. Dish soap will cut through any type of grease including makeup, butter, and cooking oil.
Simply grab a toothbrush, add a couple of drops of dish soap to the stain and gently scrub at it. Toss the clothing into the washer or just rinse it by hand in warm water and it'll be good as new.
Combat Flies With Dish Soap
If your kitchen or office is filled with fruit flies and you cannot figure out how to get rid of them, then turn to dish soap to get the job done.
Combine 4 or 5 drops of dish soap (some people swear that it has to be Dawn but that's yet to be cross-tested) with a cup filled about a 1/2 inch full of apple cider vinegar. Then place it wherever the fruit flies are and you'll be good to go.
Make Your Own Ice Pack
If you need a makeshift ice pack or you're looking for one that's more pliable than the typical lunch box ice pack, you can use dish soap.
Fill a plastic bag about one-third of the way full with dish soap then pop it in the freezer. The liquid will freeze but not completely. Then it will be cold enough to help with any bruises or bumps, but still malleable because it isn't frozen solid.
Kill Fleas For Half The Price
Instead of using expensive and often harsh flea prevention products on your dogs or outdoor cats, you can use dish soap.
During flea season when you're giving your dog a bath, mix some lemon-scented dish soap into the water and use it to lather up your pets. It's a gentler product, it's much less expensive for you, and it gives your pup a lemony-fresh scent as an added bonus.
Use Dish Soap As A Makeshift Pool Cleaner
If you have an above-ground pool or even a blow-up pool, dish soap works as a great cleaner for a fraction of the price.
Put a couple drops of the dish soap in the center of the pool. It will push all the leftover dirt, suntan lotion, or whatever else is floating around to the edge of the pool so you can clean it up easily. It's also won't do any damage to your filter and it's safe to swim in, so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals.
It's A Perfect Bubble Solution
What kid (or adult) doesn't love blowing bubbles? It's a great summer outdoor activity but one kid always ends up dropping the tube or knocking it over and suddenly all the bubble liquid is on the ground.
Not to fear though, dish soap is a great backup so that you don't burst your kids' bubbles. Mix 6 cups of water with 1 cup of dish soap, stir in 1/4 cup of corn syrup and voila, instant bubbles!
Add Some Shine To Your Life
Dish soap can save you time and money when it comes to dull jewelry. Mix seltzer with any dish soap and let your jewelry soak for about 5 minutes. Pull it out, scrub off any grime or film with a toothbrush, then lay it out to dry and see the sparkle.
Now you don't have to feel about all those times you told yourself you would take your jewelry to a jeweler and watched TV instead.
Get Rid Of Poison Ivy
Though it won't help with the itch after you touch it, dish soap can be used to get rid of poison ivy in your backyard before it spreads or infects anyone else.
Take a little bit of dish soap and spread it all over the leaves of any of the poison ivy plants you find. Within a few days, the plants will wither up and die so you won't have any more popping up and you're free to roam again.
Ward Off Those Ants Or Spiders
If your kitchen (or your entire home) has been taken over by ants and they seem to be coming out of the woodwork, dish soap is here to help. It can also help you out if you have one too many spiders crawling around.
Mix water and dish soap into a spray bottle, then spray it around vents, windows, door frames, or anywhere that met be letting the ants into your house. It should stop the infestation in no time.
Say Goodbye To Upholstery Stains
Dish soap is good for cleaning up the mess that your car leaves on the garage floor, but it's also good for cleaning up the mess your kids make inside your car.
Using a hand mixer, whip together equal parts of dish soap and water, then use a rag to clean any spots from your car upholstery. It also works for other upholstery stains that you might find on your chairs or couches.
Quickly Clean Your Eyeglasses
Because dish soap is so gentle it can be used on sensitive products that you wouldn't want in contact with anything toxic. Dish soap can be used to clean eyeglasses, too. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
Start by gently running warm water over your eyeglasses. Place a single, small drop of dish soap on each lens. Gently rub it across the lens making sure not to scratch it. Rinse them clean and gently dry.
It Will Keep Your Manicure Looking Fresh
If you're looking to step up your manicure game without stepping up your budget, then dish soap can make it easier.
Soak your nails in dish soap beforehand to make your cuticles softer and easier to work with. It also strips the natural oils from your fingers and will make your manicure last longer because your polish will adhere better. Before no time you'll have the nicest nails on the block.
Skip The Peanut Butter And Use Dish Soap To Get Gum Out Of Your Kid's Hair
On top of getting stains out of your clothing, dish soap can do wonders for your kid's hair if they manage to get something stuck in it.
We've all heard the trick about using peanut butter to get gum out of hair, but then that just means they have another stick substance in their hair. Use dish soap instead. It can get out gum, silly putty, Play-doh, or the peanut butter you inevitably tried first.
It's Instrumental In De-Skunking A Pet
It can be tiring for a dog owner to run a tomato juice bath each time their dog gets skunked. Instead of your house vaguely smelling of rotten tomatoes, combines 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup of baking soda and a few teaspoons of dish soap to use as a solution on your pet after they get sprayed.
If your pet allows it, let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing for maximum effect.
Keeping Your Outdoor Furniture and Toys Worthy Of Your BBQ Guests
Obviously, patio furniture or a kid's playground is going to get dirty when it's sitting outside all day, but you still want to impress your guests and you need to clean it.
Dish soap will have your furniture looking brand spanking new. For things like a kid's pool or a slide, it will wipe all the grime and dirt off without drying out the plastic (which would cause it to break down faster) and it'll have your patio table clean enough to eat off.
It's A Powerful Shower And Bathtub Cleaner
Cleaning the tub is one of those household tasks that people tend to dread. It doesn't have to be back-breaking labor if you know this trick, though! Dish soap is a great all-purpose cleaner that works wonders in the bathroom. Let it take care of that built-up grime for you.
Just pour a layer of soap over the floor of your shower or your tub, leave it overnight, then scrub away all the grime that built up overnight. Use a long-handled brush to save your back.
Be Gone, Squeaky Hinges
Dish soap is a better, safer alternative for fixing squeaky sliding doors and doorknobs that always get stuck. You've tried every aerosol spray money can buy and yet, you can't get your bedroom door or your front door to stop squeaking. The sprays work for a few days or maybe even a few weeks but then it always comes back.
The dish soap solution lasts longer than aerosol sprays, and it's better if you have children running around touching those doors and knobs.
Unclog the Toilet
If you don't have a plunger (or don't want to use it) you can remedy a clogged toilet using dish soap. Pour a generous amount into the toilet bowl, about half a cup, and then let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Don't flush-- instead, slowly pour warm water into the toilet bowl. Make sure not to overflow it! You should see the soap and clog slowly drain down.
De-Fog Your Car With Dish Soap
Yes, you read that right. Dish soap can be used to de-fog your car if you're one those people who still haven't quite figured out if you should turn your windshield de-fogger to hot or cold air.
Squirt some dish soap onto a clean, dry cloth and work it into the glass until the soap disappears. It'll create a layer over the glass that will prevent it from fogging up in the future! You can also use that trick for glasses lenses.
The Perfect Grill Cleaner
Once summer hits, it's time to break out the grill. And if you love grilling, then you probably know how much of a pain it can be to clean it. With dish soap, that pain can be a thing of the past.
Fill a bucket with water and add some dish soap. Let the grill racks soak in the bucket for around 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse and all your problems should be gone.
Get Rid Of That Grimy Grout
Cleaning dirty tile floors can be a real... chore. We know it's not fun, but it can be made a little easier with dish soap. This hack is pretty easy, too.
Put a cup of vinegar in the microwave and zap it for one minute. Once it's heated through, put it in a spray bottle with one cup of dish soap. Spray the mixture on your tile floors and wait for a few minutes before scrubbing the grime away.
Easy And Affordable Insect Repellant
If you have an insect problem, we have a possible solution for you! Take a spray bottle and mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and mouthwash together. Once mixed together, spray the problem area.
If you have unwanted insects, that means spray any cracks they may be coming through. Let the solution sit on the affected area for around 15 minutes before wiping away and smiling in relief.
Revive Your Hair With Dish Soap
After you manage to get the gum out of your hair, you can also use dish soap as an overall hair mask instead of buying a fancy expensive one from the drug store.
Once a month, swap out your shampoo for dish soap and lather away. It'll strip away all of the oil build-up and residue from the other hair products you've been using in the past weeks, and leave you with squeaky clean shiny hair.
Clean Your Brushes And Combs With Ease
The more you use your favorite brush or comb, the more oil and grime builds up between the bristles. One quick and easy way to give them a deep clean is with a soap bath!
Combine hot water with Borax and dish soap. Once the ingredients are combined, soak your brush and comb. After a few minutes, wash them off, dry them, and marvel at the miracle that is a clean hair comb!
De-Ice Your Driveway In A Pinch
As winter settles in, depending on where you live, having ice on your driveway is a serious safety concern. Anyone looking for a new, cheap method to de-ice your driveway should consider trying this.
Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Then add that to a half-gallon of warm water. Once combined, pour the mixture over the iced area. Not only will it melt the ice that's there, it will also help prevent your driveway from re-freezing!
Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden
Why waste money on toxic chemicals to get rid of pests in your garden when there is an easier way? Use dish soap instead. Mix the soap together with water and gently spray your plants.
Of course, this won't be a cure-all. While it will keep most insects and pests away, it won't work against all of them. But, we think it's still worth trying if you're looking for a pesticide alternative.
Freeze Liquid Dish Soap For A Tiny And Mighty Cleaning Tool
People have been taking to Tik Tok to share their home cleaning hacks and this is one of the most popular hacks making the rounds. Tanyahomeinspo shared that she fills an ice tray with liquid dish soap to create a tiny and mighty cleaning tool!
One the soap freezes, she puts on gloves and uses the cube to scrub away the grime on her oven rack. "It just slides off" she shares. Try the hack on your oven rack and other dirty surfaces in your kitchen.
Cleaning Your Tools Couldn't Be Easier
Why spend so much sweat scrubbing the grease off of your tools when it seems impossible to remove? Sweat no more thanks to this incredible dish soap hack. The first step -- mix a tablespoon of dish soap into a gallon of hot water.
Rinse your tools in the solution and watch as the grease just slips away. Not only is this easy, but it will save you money in the long run!
Remove Excess Color From Your Hair
Did you just dye your hair and realize it came out darker or brighter than you wanted? Instead of fretting trying to find solutions or dying your hair all over again, consider this dish soap hack.
Use dish soap in the shower instead of shampoo. As you wash your hair, it will gently pull away any excess color. Once you dry off, you'll be left with the picture-perfect hair you wanted.
Use It As An Alternative Car Cleaner
Don't have time to make it to the car wash but still need to wash your car? Using dish soap is a quick and easy hack that will make you ditch the car wash for the rest of your life.
Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with a gallon of water. Make sure the solution gets nice and mixed and then dip a soft sponge or cloth in to soak it up. Now all you have to do is wipe down your car and you're good to get on the road!
Wash Your Floors And Walls
Did you know you could use dish soap to clean your floors and walls? Is there anything dish soap can't do? This hack needs a little more than just soap to work, but once you try it once you'll never clean your walls with anything else!
Mix a half teaspoon of dish soap with one teaspoon of ammonia, two gallons of warm water, and a half cup of Borax. Put on cleaning gloves, then dip a soft rag or brush in the solution and start scrubbing down your walls!
No More Weeds In Your Yard
It can be frustrating to watch weeds popping up on your driveway. And no matter what you do, they always seem to come back.
To fight the weeds without chemicals, combine dish soap, salt, and vinegar into a spray bottle. Then spray it all over the spots where you've just pulled weeds from, or from spots where your weeds usually pop up. It will deter them from growing back as quickly and will kill some of them off altogether.
Remove Ink Stains From Clothes
It's nearly impossible to rub ink out of clothing. At least, it would be if we didn’t have hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored clothing, you can soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and dab it on the infected area. Then wash your clothes as normal.
If this doesn’t work, your fabric may need a heavy-duty recipe. Create a solution of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% ammonia. The ammonia catalyzes the peroxide to work better. Only use clear ammonia, and don’t use it on wool or silk since the ammonia will eat through the proteins on both fabrics.
Time For Teeth Whitening
According to a 2004 study in the Journal of Dentistry, hydrogen peroxide effectively bleaches teeth. To whiten your teeth, create a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, or as long as you can stand. Spit the solution out if it hurts your mouth, and don't swallow it.
The higher the concentration, the brighter the whitening. However, a 2006 study from the same journal reported that higher concentrations could harm the enamel. If you use a higher concentration (25% or 35%), shorten the amount of time that the peroxide is in your mouth.
Help Your Plants Grow Big And Strong
Hydrogen peroxide works by releasing oxygen. Because plants use oxygen to absorb nutrients from the soil, they love this extra oxygen molecule. This promotes healthier, more vigorous plant growth for your garden.
To encourage garden growth, mix one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per one cup of water. After you pour the mixture into a spray bottle, mist your plants. If you want to cover an entire garden, increase your dosage to 35% hydrogen peroxide. You can also use this to pre-treat seeds. Since peroxide kills fungi, it also wards off potential diseases such as root infections.
It Can Save Your Dog's Life
Dog owners understand the risk of accidental poisoning. As soon as your dog eats a lot of grapes or chocolate, you're on the clock. You can safely induce vomiting by feeding your dog a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide creates a mild reaction but not extreme enough to cause harm.
To induce vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide (any higher concentration is toxic). Feed your dog one teaspoon per five pounds of their body weight. The vomiting works ten to 15 minutes after eating, and it can last for up to 45 minutes. Afterward, follow up with your vet.
Remove Labels or Glue
It can be difficult and frustrating trying to remove a label or a sticker from a product you purchased. More often than not, the label or sticker will break apart into irritating small bits that take way too much work to get off. Plus you end up getting the label or sticker stuck under your nails, and it makes a big mess.
An easier way to remove labels and stickers is by using hydrogen peroxide. Set the product on a flat surface and spray the label or sticker with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit. After about 10 minutes, the label should easily come off with a little light scrubbing.
Re-Beautify Your Makeup Brushes
"Through daily use, makeup brushes can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, says dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer, who co-founded the Dermatology Associates of New York. Dirty makeup brushes can result in staph infections if they aren't cleaned properly. Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide sufficiently disinfects them.
Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl of warm water. Soak your brushes in the mixture for ten minutes. Swish the brushes around every now again. Afterward, remove your makeup brushes, rinse them with cold water, and let them air dry. If there’s any remaining residue, you can wash it off with soap.
Wash Your Fruits And Vegetables
It's essential to wash your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home. You never know who touched them or which pesticides they came into contact with. But instead of paying $8 for a veggie wash, why don’t you use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide?
To create a veggie cleaner, fill your sink with cold water and add 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Don’t use a higher concentration since it’s not food safe. Wash your fruit and vegetables in the mixture, and then rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. According to Poison Control, hydrogen peroxide isn’t toxic, except in large amounts.
Here's How To Safely Remove Wax From Your Ears
A 2015 study from Australian Family Physician supports ear irrigation as the most effective way to remove ear wax. Ear irrigation involves a liquid that softens the wax and dislodges it. Since hydrogen peroxide makes the wax bubble and weaken, it's a safe way to clean your ears.
Start by lying on your side. Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your upward-facing ear. Wait five minutes, then sit up and use a tissue to absorb any excess liquid. Then do the same on your other ear. Remember to consult your doctor before trying these home remedies.
Disinfect Your Walls, Windows, Mirrors, And Countertops
Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. That's why many household cleaners include this ingredient. If you’re running low on kitchen cleaners, use 3% hydrogen peroxide instead. Store it in a spray bottle and use as you would any other household cleaner.
Although hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, it takes time to work. You might want to leave the solution on your countertops or walls for a minute before wiping. A mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and plain soap makes an efficient cleaning solution for windows and mirrors.
Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Natural Deodorant
When bacteria breaks down sweat, it creates body odor. Because our armpits sweat more than any other area, they're the main culprit of body odor. Some people use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill these germs, and hence halt the B.O.
Hydrogen peroxide is not an antiperspirant, so it won’t inhibit your sweating. But neither do deodorants. Swipe or spray some hydrogen peroxide wherever you’re sweating for odor relief. And it’s certainly cheaper than paying for a deodorant that could contain harmful substances like aluminum.
Reshine Your Rusty Tools
When is the last time you cleaned your gardening shovel, screws, or hammer? Probably never. If your tools begin to rust, it's time for a scrub. Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the rusted area and rub it with steel wool or a brush. If you need a stronger solution, mix the peroxide with borax.
Before you dive into this DIY, test a small of hydrogen peroxide. H202 may react with some metallic irons, although it shouldn’t affect stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. Double-check what your tools are made of before experimenting.
Lighten Your Hair At Half The Price
Hydrogen peroxide makes up 6% to 10% of most blonde hair dyes. To save money, you can use the liquid chemical to lighten your hair instead of a lengthy routine. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, an alkaline chemical that will lower the acidity. Spread the paste through your hair and leave it on from 15 to 60 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with cold water.
While the solution won't turn your hair bleach blonde, it will lighten the color noticeably. Be careful handling hydrogen peroxide, because it easily irritates the eyes. And if you use too much, it can damage your hair and skin.
Have Discolored Nails? Try This
Why spend your money on spa foot treatments when you have so many other things to pay for? If you have cracked, rough callouses on the edges of your feet, hydrogen peroxide can soften that skin by breaking down the tissue around it.
Dilute two cups of hydrogen peroxide into two cups of hot water. Soak feet for 30 minutes. After you dry them off, scrub off all the dead skin. Then lather your feet with lotion, pop on some warm fuzzy socks, and hit the hay. Your feet will feel super soft in the morning.
This Can Alleviate A Painful Canker Sore
Anyone who has had a canker sore knows that it hurts. While hydrogen peroxide can't make a canker sore disappear, it can speed up the healing. The peroxide kills growing bacteria in your mouth, which may ameliorate some pain.
Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water–no more than half and half. Apply the mixture to your canker sore. Either dip a cotton ball in the solution and press it to your sore, or swish the liquid in your mouth. Either way, make sure not to swallow any of the peroxide. Oh, and it might sting a bit.
Protect Your Shower From Mildew
Nobody likes cleaning their shower. That's why it’s best to clean a shower and shield it from future mold at the same time. Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spritz the walls of your shower and let it work its magic for 10 minutes. Then, wipe the mildew away.
According to a 2013 study in BMC Research Notes, hydrogen peroxide effectively kills microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It also demolishes budding yeast systems, so you won’t have to clean your shower for a while longer.
If You Have Carpet Stains, Check This Out
Commercial carpet-cleaning products contain sodium percarbonate, which is a powdered form of hydrogen peroxide. That's why cleaners often have "Oxy" or “Oxi” in the name. Why don’t you skip the extra charge and use hydrogen peroxide instead?
Before you start pouring, dilute the peroxide. Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Spray it on the dirty spot and wait for a couple of minutes, and then scrub the stain away. You might want to test it on a small area first.
Kill Mold Without Using Harsh Chemicals
Mold can develop within 24 hours. Leaving it unattended can result in respiratory illnesses; it's a hazard to those with allergies. While it’s important to kill mold quickly, most people don’t want to spray chemicals everywhere. Here’s a way to eradicate mold without those dangerous cleaners.
Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle. Saturate the mold-infected walls with the solution, and leave it there for ten minutes. Over time, the anti-fungal liquid will destroy the organisms. After ten minutes pass, scrub the area to remove all the stains. Then wipe the surface to dislodge any remaining mold stains.
Finally, An Easy Way To Clean Your Retainer Or Mouthguard
That tiny plastic mold that you have to stuff into your mouth every night is hard to keep clean. But you can clean your retainer for little-to-no money by using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water.
Place your retainer into a jar and submerge it in water. Add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a sprinkle of baking soda. Leave the retainer in there for about ten minutes. Afterward, take it out and rinse all the residue off. Make sure to rinse your retainer thoroughly before popping it back in your mouth.
Here's How To Clean Your Toothbrushes
Have you ever thought about how many germs gather on your toothbrushes? The reality is that they attract plenty of bacteria, and yet most people never clean their toothbrushes. According to the Children's Oral Health Institute, hydrogen peroxide is a safe method of disinfecting your child’s toothbrushes.
Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a cup, and place your toothbrushes into it bristles-down. Leave the toothbrushes in there until the liquid stops bubbling. Afterward, rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before use. Another method is to swish your toothbrush through a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide before use.
