With more people using dishwashers today, it may seem like washing with liquid soap isn’t as common. However, there are plenty of other uses for dish soap beyond washing dishes by hand. You may wonder exactly how you can use it. Can dishwashing soap be used as hand soap? Can you wash a car with dish soap? Get answers to these and other questions, and learn other uses for dish soap that you may not know.
Top 11 Uses for Dish Soap
These are some of the top uses for dish soap.
1. Cleaning Floors
Can you mop with dish soap? On some floors, you can. Don’t use dish soap on hardwood floors. If you have tile or vinyl floors, dish soap diluted in water can clean them. It can help remove dirt, oil, and other debris. Add about 2 tablespoons of dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Use a mop or rag to clean the floors.
2. Cleaning Carpets or Rugs and Removing Stains
While you shouldn’t put dish soap in a carpet cleaning machine, it can remove some stains by direct application. Dish soap is more effective on fresh stains. Mix about a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of dish soap. Use a sponge or rag to dab at the stain. You can use this mixture to clean small areas of carpet or rugs by hand. For stubborn stains, you can add a little baking soda and scrub.
3. Cleaning Windows and Mirrors
Over time, windows and mirrors can develop grime. You may notice streaks when you try to clean grime with just water and a rag. If that happens, add a couple of teaspoons of dish soap to a bucket of warm water. After you clean the surface, go over it with a rinsed-out rag. Dry it with a clean rag or paper towel.
4. Removing Hair Dye Stains on Skin
This is one of the most underappreciated uses for dish soap. For this, you need baking soda and concentrated dish soap. Add about half a teaspoon of dish soap to a small prep dish or cup. Sprinkle in enough baking soda to make a paste. Apply it to the areas of stained skin. Gently rub it, and then rinse your skin with water.
5. Removing Stains From Clothes and Furniture
Dish soap may remove stains from several types of material. If you have a grease stain on a washable item, apply a concentrated degreasing dish soap directly to it. Let it sit for a while and soak into the stained area. You can gently rub it into the material as well. After it soaks in, wash the item according to the care instructions. Dish soap is also good for removing makeup stains from clothes. Can you use dish detergent to wash clothes? Although you can soak grease-stained clothes in water and dish detergent, never put liquid dish soap in your washing machine. If you have a stain on furniture, use vinegar, water, and dish soap. Mix 3/4 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap. You can use a cloth to dab at the area with some of the solution. After that, use a cloth soaked in plain water to dab away the residue. Dry the area with a towel. You can also use dish soap and water to clean patio furniture.
6. Removing Stains From Walls
For cleaning walls with oil-based paint, you can use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar, and water. To a quart of warm water, add a teaspoon of dish soap and 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar. Use a rag or sponge to clean the walls with this solution. Be sure to wipe gently, and go over the area you clean with a water-soaked cloth. You can dry the walls with a microfiber cloth.
7. Making Your Own Hand Soap
Yes, dish soap by itself can be a bit harsh. If you want to use it as hand soap, be sure to add lotion to your mixture. For this DIY soap, use an old hand soap pump bottle. You may also find themed or decorative hand soap pump bottles in stores near toothbrush holders. Use about 1/4 cup of dish soap and a couple of teaspoons of lotion. Fill the rest of the container with boiled or distilled water.
8. Cleaning Your Hair
The only time you should use dish soap on your hair is to remove extreme buildup. It can be helpful in removing excessive oil or cleaning locs. To use dish soap for hair buildup, test your scalp first. Apply a tiny bit of dish soap to one area of the scalp to see if it causes irritation. If it does, don’t try this method. Is dish soap good for hair? Not exactly. Most hair experts advise against using dish soap regularly on your hair. Only use dish soap when absolutely necessary.
9. Cleaning Your Jewelry
You can use this tip for genuine gold or silver jewelry. Add a few drops of dish soap to a cup of warm water. Don’t use hot water. Let your jewelry soak for up to 10 minutes before you rinse it. There are other ways to remove stains or rust from other types of metal jewelry.
10. Cleaning Your Car
Can you use dish soap to wash your car? You can use a mixture of a little dish soap and warm water to clean the interior windows. Inside windows and some surfaces may develop grime that dish soap can remove. However, you shouldn’t use dish detergent on your car’s paint because it can strip off the protective wax.
11. Removing Toilet Clogs
This is another one of the most underappreciated dish soap uses. Why put dish soap in the toilet? It may help release some types of clogs or problems with slow draining. Pour about 1/4 cup of dish detergent into the toilet. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then pour in a pot of hot water. Try flushing to see if the clog clears. You can also use dish soap to clean the toilet bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
To recap the earlier information, these are some quick answers to common questions.
Can you use dish soap to wash your car?
You shouldn’t use it for washing the outside of the car since it can strip the wax. However, you can use dish soap diluted in water to clean interior window grime.
Why do some people put dish soap in their toilets?
Doing this can help remove a clog in some cases.
Can you use dish detergent to clean a toilet bowl?
You can use dish soap to clean a toilet bowl. It should sit for a while. To help promote a safer environment, use a non-toxic variety.
Can you wash your body or hair with dish soap?
Dish soap is too harsh to use directly on skin and hair often. If it doesn’t irritate your scalp, you can occasionally use it to remove excessive hair buildup. Don’t use it as a body wash in the shower.
What’s the benefit of adding baking soda to dish soap for cleaning?
It may help remove some stubborn stains since baking soda is slightly abrasive.
Can dish soap be used for laundry?
Dish soap can be used to spot-treat stains on clothes. However, you should never substitute it for laundry detergent in your washing machine.
Can you use dish soap as a hand soap?
Yes, you can if you use the right formula and follow the instructions above. However, you shouldn’t regularly use concentrated dish soap directly on your skin.
Now that you know how to use dish soap for so many tasks, make sure you have plenty of it on hand. Shop at your nearest True Value to find dish soap and other supplies for home improvement projects.
