Buzz
While dish soap is renowned for tackling stubborn food residues, grease, and grime on dishes and cookware (yes, we’re looking at you, Dawn enthusiasts), its versatility extends far beyond the kitchen sink. Did you know it can also eliminate stains and even help control fruit flies? Explore the countless wonders of this humble liquid detergent.
Eliminate grease marks from fabrics and carpets
When cooking oil, pizza grease, salad dressing, or even lipstick leaves a mark on your clothing, what’s your go-to solution? Dish soap, of course! Apply a small amount to the stain, gently work it in, and let it sit briefly before rinsing. Wash the garment as usual, and watch the stain disappear. (Bonus: Dish soap also works wonders on non-greasy food stains, delicate washable silk, and collar rings.)
To remove stains from carpets, mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently blot the stain. Repeat the process until the stain is completely absorbed. Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with cold water and let it air dry.
Revitalize stainless steel surfaces and cabinets
When water spots and countless fingerprints mar your kitchen appliances, a damp cloth with a few drops of dish soap can work miracles. If you can identify the grain of the stainless steel, wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid scratches. Polish with a dry microfiber towel for a flawless, lint-free shine.
A wet sponge with dish detergent (or a spray bottle filled with soapy water) is also effective for removing grease and sticky residue from your cupboards. If your kitchen island’s base is marked by tiny shoe prints (like mine often is), this method works wonders there too.
Tackle grill or oven cleaning with ease
Create a DIY oven cleaner by combining water, baking soda, and dish soap into a paste. Apply the mixture evenly inside the oven, then spray it with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Allow it to sit for several hours or overnight before scrubbing off the accumulated grime.
For grill grates: After removing large burnt debris, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with dish soap to create a thick paste. Apply the paste and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly.
Restore the sparkle to gemstones and silver
A surprising jewelry-cleaning hack involves mixing seltzer water with a few drops of dish soap. Soak your diamond, sapphire, or emerald jewelry in this solution for five minutes. As per Good Housekeeping lab tests, the carbonation helps loosen dirt and debris trapped in the settings. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away any remaining residue and restore their original brilliance.
For silver items, a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap applied with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge can effectively remove tarnish. However, this method should not be used too frequently to avoid damage.
Capture fruit flies and gnats effectively
Combine apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap in a bowl and microwave it briefly to enhance the aroma. The vinegar lures the flies, while the dish soap breaks the liquid's surface tension, trapping and drowning them.
Refresh your outdoor furniture
Outdoor tables and chairs endure harsh conditions. Eliminate sticky sap, pollen, and mildew from materials like wood, plastic, bamboo, wicker, or metal using a sponge dipped in a solution of dish soap and warm water. Rinse with a garden hose and dry with a towel for optimal results.
Eliminate soap scum, stickers, and labels
Did you know you can skip expensive, ammonia-based bathroom cleaners? Simply apply dish soap generously to your tub or shower, then scrub with a tub brush, grout brush, or a dedicated broom. Watch as soap scum and mildew disappear. For tough water stains, mix equal parts dish soap and white vinegar in a spray bottle to dissolve hard water deposits.
Dish soap also works wonders for removing stubborn sticker residue and store labels. Surprisingly, it can even tackle oil stains on concrete and unclog drains! I never realized its full potential until now. It’s now competing with vinegar for the title of my favorite versatile, budget-friendly, and efficient household cleaner.
