Uses For Dawn Dish Detergent – Other Than Washing Dishes

Do you have a bottle of Dawn Dish Detergent? Do you like it when you are able to use products for multiple purposes? If you said yes to either of these then this page may be of interest to you.

Even if you said no, please take a few minutes and read this as you may change your mind. This is a list of some great uses for Dawn dish detergent. Full disclosure, I haven’t used all of these tricks however, I probably will in the future.

Dawn and Vinegar Solution

It makes an amazing cleaner that is quick and easy to make. I use it mostly for cleaning our shower enclosure, although you can use it for sinks, tubs and many other surfaces.

First, you will need equal parts white vinegar and Dawn, as well as an empty spray bottle. I purchased a basic 16 oz spray bottle and labeled it for my Dawn and vinegar solution. You can usually find a spray bottle pretty inexpensively. It doesn’t have to be a 16 oz bottle so if you already have one that’s a different size, go ahead and use it. Microwave the vinegar in a microwave-safe container until it is hot and pour into the spray bottle. Add the equal part of Dawn detergent, tighten the lid, and gently shake the spray bottle to mix the solution. Spray the solution on the shower walls and doors and walk away. That sounds too easy, doesn’t it?

Actually, it is that easy. After I spray the solution, I usually let it sit for a few hours. (If you have an exhaust fan, you make want to turn it on if you don’t enjoy the smell of vinegar.) Once it is done sitting, I just wipe the shower down with a damp sponge, rinse and voila! A clean shower.

For more details, visit my post Shower Cleaner with Dawn and Vinegar.

Grease Stain Remover

Have you ever got dressed, only to realize there is a grease stain on your shirt? Usually, this happens to me on the day that I am in a huge hurry or have no other clean shirts. This is another way in which I always use Dawn detergent. It works amazingly on grease stains. Even if the clothes have already been laundered, I have still had great success.

Just pour a little Dawn detergent on the stain, add a little water and rub together. Rinse out the soap from your clothes and then launder as normal. I don’t always launder immediately – sometimes it may sit in the hamper for a couple of days – and it still works great. Depending on the fabric, you may want to launder it immediately.

For step by step directions and pictures, visit my page Getting Rid of Grease Stains.

Window Cleaner

Merry Maids suggests using two tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and two quarts of water. Mix them together in a large spray bottle and you have a streak-free window cleaner.

Household Cleaner

Merry Maids also suggests mixing two quarts of warm water with a few drops of dishwashing detergent to clean the baseboards in your home.

For cleaning your greasy kitchen cabinets, add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to some warm water and grab a sponge. Squeeze the sponge until suds form and wipe down your cabinets. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to remove soap and grease residue. ** Please test your cabinets in an inconspicuous spot before going ahead and cleaning all cabinets**

DIY Ice Pack

If you went to my freezer right now, you would find a couple of blue rectangle ice packs that I have received throughout the years from my chiropractor or doctor. You probably know the ice packs I mean, the ones that are bendable and don’t seem to completely freeze. According to Reader’s Digest, you can easily make your own ice pack with … you guessed it … dishwashing detergent.

You will need a zip-top bag or vacuum-seal plastic bag (probably sandwich or quart size) and dish soap. Simply fill the bag with the dishwashing detergent about half full, squeeze out the extra air and seal. If you are using a zip-top bag, you may want to double bag it. (While Dawn is a great cleaner, I don’t know that I want it leaking in my freezer!) Then just put your bag in the freezer and you have your own ice pack. So simple and inexpensive!

Clean Your Brushes – Make-Up and Paint

Another great use for Dawn dish soap is that you can clean your brushes. Wet your brush and dip it into some detergent and gently rub it back and back until it lathers. Rinse the brush out with water until the water runs clean and the suds are gone. Continue repeating this process until the brushes are clean. Lay flat to dry and allow to dry completely before storing.

Weed Killer

Tired of seeing weeds pop up through the cracks in your sidewalk or between your pavers but don’t want to use anything toxic. You are in luck. Try mixing one gallon of vinegar, one cup of salt and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. Once you have it mixed, go ahead and spray on those pesky weeds. Be careful of what you spray this on as it will kill all plants, including grass. This mixture probably won’t kill the weed’s root so you may have to spray it a few times or just pull the plant out after it’s died.

Find Tire Leaks

Last fall, my truck alerted me that my tire pressure was low. A couple of days after putting air in my tires, my tire pressure was low again. So I ask my husband to have a look at it and he asks me for the Dawn dish soap. He mixes the detergent with water and sprays it on the tire (you could also brush it on). Shortly after that, bubbles started forming and he easily found where the leak was coming from. Just watch for where the bubbles are coming from.

Bubbles

So my last use is for fun! After all, who can’t use a little more fun! I haven’t tried this one yet, however, it’s on my list to do with the kids this summer. 

According to Home Science Tools, this homemade bubble recipe makes stronger and better bubbles. Even better, it uses inexpensive ingredients that I already have at home!

1. Measure 6 cups of water into one container, then pour 1 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir it until the soap is mixed in. Try not to let foam or bubbles form while you stir.
2. Measure 1 tablespoon of glycerin or 1/4 cup of corn syrup and add it to the container. Stir the solution until it is mixed together.
3. You can use the solution right away, but to make even better bubbles, put the lid on the container and let your super bubble solution sit overnight.  (Note: If you used “Ultra” dish soap, double the amount of glycerin or corn syrup.)
4. Dip a bubble wand or straw into the mixture, slowly pull it out, wait a few seconds, and then blow.

For extra fun, you can add food coloring or glow paint to the bubble solution.

New Ideas

I hope you have learned some new ways to use your bottle of Dawn. I would love to hear if any of these worked for you or if you have any other ways you use Dawn dish soap. I would love it if you would share below for all of us to learn from. Also, if you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section and I’ll be happy to answer them.