Clearly, Dawn dish soap is a godsend when it comes to washing dishes. It cuts grease, it smells good, and it doesn’t dry out your hands! What’s not to love? But – did you know that Dawn is capable of so much more than just getting rid of food scraps and grease?
You probably know that Dawn is used by veterinarians to remove oil from animals after oil spills but that’s just the beginning of its versatility. From insect repellent to tool cleaner and de-icer to unclogging toilets – Dawn is essentially a miracle product.
Keep reading to see how an inexpensive bottle of Dawn dish soap can make your life so much easier. Tip: Stock up on Dawn at the dollar store!
1) 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.
2) 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!
3) Get clean, clear, sparkling windows
Chaotically Creative says that this is, by far, the best way to clean your windows. In fact, she got this handy tip from a professional cleaning company, and now it’s the only method she’ll use. There are a few steps involved, but it’s actually really easy. Head over to the
Chaotically Creative blog for the instructions
4) 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.
5) 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!
6) 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.
7) Homemade ant and insect repellent
Have you noticed ants crawling around your kitchen lately? Nip that problem in the bud with this simple Dawn soap solution. In a spray bottle, mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, and Dawn dish soap. Spray the problem area and wait for about 5-10 minutes. After, simply wipe up the spray and the ants.
8) 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.
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.
10) 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.
11) 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.
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.
13) 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.
“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.
15) 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!
16) 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.
17) 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.
For a sparkling clean car, Dawn is the perfect answer. All you need to do is mix a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid to one gallon of water and use the soapy solution to scrub your car with a soft sponge or cloth. Keep in mind that Dawn will remove any protective wax, so you’ll need to re-wax the car afterward.
19) 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.
20) Make your own floor and wall cleaner
Get your walls and floors looking like new by using…of course…Dawn! All you need to do is add half a teaspoon of liquid Dawn, half a cup of Borax, and one teaspoon of ammonia to two gallons of warm water. Using gloves and a soft rag or scrubbing brush – clean away and watch the dirt, grime, and fingerprints come right off!
If your skin is prone to being a bit on the oily side, Dawn is your new best friend. Incorporate the dish soap into your daily routine by washing your face with just a few drops of Dawn and warm water. Be sure to rinse your face thoroughly. The Dawn will cut right the grease without drying out your skin.
22) 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.
23) 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!
24) 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.
25) 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!
26) 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.
27) Find a puncture in a car or bicycle tire
If you seem to have a leaky car or bicycle tire but aren’t sure where the hole is – Dawn can help. Simply mix a few drops of Dawn with some water and brush the soapy liquid around the tire. Small bubbles will indicate where the puncture is so you can either fix it or replace it.
28) 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.
29) Remove brake dust from car wheels
Since Dawn is so great at cutting through grease – it’s great 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.
30) 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.
31) 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.
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.
33) 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.
34) 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.
35) 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.
36) 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!
37) 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.
38) 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.
39) Make tarnished jewelry sparkle again
Even though Dawn is really tough on grease, it’s actually surprisingly gentle on jewelry and metals. Mix seven parts hot water with one part ammonia and just a squirt of Dawn dish soap. Using an old toothbrush, scrub your jewelry with the mixture until it’s sparkling like when you first bought it.
40) 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!
If you’re not planning on buying a case of Dawn next to the store, then you haven’t been paying attention! If you ever find yourself in a domestic pickle – this simple staple will save you from a lot of headache and hassle.
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