Squeaky Clean Secrets: Dish Soap Hacks To Simplify Your Life

Make DIY Bubbles With The Kids

Everyone with kids knows just how much those little rascals enjoy bubbles! But buying traditional bubble mix can get expensive, especially if you’re using it to fill those pricey bubble machines. Instead, make your own DIY bubbles at home with three simple ingredients.

You’ll need Dawn dish soap, tap water, and corn syrup for this to work. Mix the ingredients in a container very gently and let the solution rest for a few hours before you pull out your bubble wand. This will create the perfect bubbles that hold their shape well. You and the whole family will get hours of fun out of this for half the price of store-bought bubbles.

Lubricate Door Hinges

No one enjoys the annoying, creaky noise doors make when they’re not properly lubricated. This happens pretty frequently as normal wear and tear causes door hinges to lose the greasiness that prevents that awful noise. Most people would reach for a can of WD-40 to solve this problem, but what do you do if you run out?

Reach for some dish soap! In particular, Dawn dish soap does an amazing job at lubricating door hinges. Just put a few drops in a bulb like the one in this photo and squeeze it into the hinge. Or, you can just squeeze a few drops directly from the bottle. Be sure to use a paper towel to catch any drips, and don’t forget to open and close the door several times afterward to really work that dish soap in there.

Eliminate Greasy Hair

While most experts recommend against using dish soap to wash your hair, it can actually be very beneficial when done sparingly and in very small amounts. The key to using dish soap in your hair is getting the ratio right and never using it more than once or twice a year. But, for people dealing with super oily locks or scalps, this is a trick you need to try.

Make sure your hair and scalp are nice and wet, and then squeeze a couple of drops of soap into your hand. Lather the soap throughout your hair, and make sure to pay special attention to your scalp. Rinse all the soap out very thoroughly- you don’t want to leave any behind because it’ll strip all the natural oils from your skin. You may want to use a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner afterward to soothe your hair and scalp.

Get Rid Of Pesky Fleas

While dish soap alone isn’t enough to eliminate a flea infestation, it can certainly help in a pinch. Your pup should still be on a year-round treatment to protect them against those little pests, but if a puppy play date results in random fleas, dish soap can help you take care of them before they become a full-blown infestation.

Give your dog a bath using a small amount of dish soap and plenty of warm water. The dish soap will prevent the fleas from swimming or jumping away, which traps them in the water and causes them to drown. Just like humans, dogs have a lot of natural oils in their fur and skin that they need to be comfortable, so be careful not to use too much!

Create The Best DIY Window Cleaner

Are you tired of trying different window cleaning products, going through tons of paper towels, and still finding streaks on your freshly cleaned windows? If so, this hack is for you! Dish soap can be combined with a couple of other hand ingredients from around the home to create the best DIY window cleaner ever.

Here’s what you’ll want to do. Grab an empty spray bottle and combine a generous amount of tap water with a handful of drops of dish soap and about half a cup of vinegar. Use that solution to spray your windows and wipe them down with a clean cloth. You’ll have perfect, streak-free windows in no time!

Make The Ultimate DIY Stain Remover

There’s nothing more upsetting than a deep-set stain on a brand new shirt! Of course, you could run out and buy some chemically-based stain-removing solution, but why spend the money and upset the environment when you could create your own stain remover at home? For this hack, you’ll need baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, tap water, and a toothbrush.

Pour some tap water into a bowl and add a bit of the other ingredients. Stir the solution to make sure everything combines nicely. Then, take the toothbrush, dip it in the solution, and start scrubbing the stain. Toss your clothes in the wash once you’ve given the stain a good scrub. They’ll come out 100% stain-free and smell great!

Clean Your Eyeglasses

What is it about eyeglasses that causes them to get gunked up so easily? No matter how often you clean the lenses, you’ll quickly notice a build-up of gunk reforming. This often means carrying around lens cleaning wipes, which can quickly become an annoying expense. Instead of reaching for your lens wipes or lens cleaning solution, try a mild dish soap.

All you need to do is squeeze a drop or two of dish soap onto a clean, damp cloth. Use the cloth to gently clean your lenses, and then give them a quick rinse. Let them air dry, or use a microfiber cloth to get all the water droplets off. Your vision will be clear, and you’ll spend way less on lens wipes!

Make An Environmentally Friendly Insecticidal Spray

Every gardener needs to know this trick! Keeping pests away from indoor and outdoor plants can be a challenge, but there’s no need to head straight for harsh chemical-based insecticides. You can easily make your own spray to repel insects and other pests with a few ingredients from around the home.

Get an empty spray bottle and fill it with tap water. Add several drops of dawn dish soap into the bottle and give it a stir to make sure the dish soap is incorporated well. Then, you can use the spray on any indoor or outdoor plants without having to worry about harmful effects on kids, pets, or the environment!

Clean Your Fingernails

Whether you work in a job that causes build-up in your nail beds or you’re preparing for a manicure, it’s important to make sure your nails are squeaky clean. Regular maintenance helps encourage nail growth and prevents hangnails and damaged cuticles.

Most people who put a lot of effort into their nail care turn to expensive alcohol solutions to get the job done, but there’s a much easier and cheaper option that’s just as effective. Mix up a solution of warm tap water and a few drops of dawn dish soap in a bowl. Lather the mixture over your nails thoroughly and use a nail brush to scrub away any dead skin, dirt, or other debris.

Get Your Jewelry Squeaky Clean

Cleaning jewelry can be a nerve-wracking process if you’re not confident about what you’re doing. No one wants to risk damaging grandma’s ring or the brand-new necklace their beau bought them. Still, jewelry tends to get caked with oils, dirt, dust, and other debris, whether worn frequently or hanging out in a jewelry box. Regular cleaning will help them retain their shine and beauty.

Rather than spending money on a jeweler or an expensive cleaning solution, give this trick a try! In a small bowl, mix together warm tap water and a few drops of dish soap. Let your jewelry soak in the solution for several minutes. Then, pull out one piece at a time and give it a gentle scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly and set it aside on a clean cloth or paper towel until it’s dry.

Remove Tough Paint Splatters

Doing DIY projects around the home is a ton of fun, but it can certainly get messy! If you’re dealing with tough paint splatters on your countertops or floor, you’ll want to give this trick a try. Most pain is either oil or waterbased, so dish soap is uniquely suited to help pull it up.

All you need to do is mix a generous amount of dish soap with hot water in a bowl or bucket. Then, grab a sponge, soak it in the solution, and start scrubbing away at the paint splatters. They should come up very easily with this trick, but make sure to use hot water to help loosen the paint!

Eliminate Oily Skin And Pimples

People dealing with oily skin often go through years of frustration searching for the right product. You’ve probably tried a thousand different cleaners, face masks, and skin care routines. But all of those products tend to be laden with harsh chemicals, dyes, or additives, which can make the problem worse in the long run. Instead, you should try washing your face with a touch of dish soap every now and again.

Dish soap is well known for stripping away oils, and it’s gentle enough to not hurt your skin. However, you don’t want to do this too frequently because it could lead to your skin becoming too dry. Try washing your face with dawn dish soap once or twice a month and using a soothing restorative lotion afterward. You’ll notice far less oil and pimples when you try this method.

Clean Kiddie Pools

Kiddie pools are a great way to get your kids outside and have a blast during the summer, but they often become plastic containers full of germs after a while. Many parents will instinctively turn to bleach or other harsh cleaners to eliminate any scum or germs that build up in their kid’s pools, but doing so will often damage the integrity of the pool, causing parents to buy a new one at the start of each summer.

So, save your money and use some dish soap instead! Fill up the pool with fresh, warm water and add plenty of dish soap. Then, use a sponge or a scrub brush to go to town! Rinse out the pool thoroughly afterward and then refill with fresh water for your family to enjoy.

Repel And Destroy Ants

Regardless of how well you clean and maintain your home, there’s still a possibility you could develop an ant infestation, especially if you live in a rural area. These pests are pretty hard to get rid of, and they tend to invade kitchens and food sources, making getting rid of them quickly necessary. Rather than call an expensive pest control company to spray toxic chemicals in and around your home, give this idea a try.

All you need to do is mix up some tap water and dish soap in an empty spray bottle. Then, spray the solution around your home. Make sure to spray it indoors too, especially around cracks where they’re likely to get inside. This will help repel the ants and kill any that come into contact with the solution.

DIY A Gel Ice Pack

Gel ice packs are awesome for minor injuries and soreness. They’re way better than regular ice packs because they conform to the spot of the injury and they tend to stay cooler for longer. However, you could end up spending a pretty penny on one when you have everything you need to make it yourself at home! All you need is water, dish soap, and a zip-lock bag.

Fill the bag with tap water, add in a generous amount of dish soap, and place it in the freezer. Check back on the bag in a couple of hours and you should find a nicely formed DIY gel ice pack! The best part about this trick is you can make new ones any time you need.

Remove Oil Stains From Driveways

No matter how careful you are with maintaining or working on your vehicle, there’s always a chance that you’ll get oil stains on your driveway. Some people may not mind these greasy-looking spots, but many of us would prefer our driveways to look well-kempt, especially those living in HOAs. Before you panic and shell out the big bucks for someone to come and power wash your driveway, give this idea a try.

All you need is a strong dish detergent, some tap water, and a scrub brush. Mix the dish soap and water, and pour it over the stain. Let the solution soak into the stain for a while, and then reapply more of the solution. Go at it with a scrub brush and rinse thoroughly with water when you’re done. You may have to go over the spot a few times to get it pristine again, but this method will save you a ton of money and prevent the use of harsh chemicals on your driveway.

Reduce The Rash From Poison Ivy

Some people are particularly sensitive to the oils in plants like poison ivy, sumac, and oak. The oils from these plants can cause serious rashes that are often extremely itchy and even painful. However, dish soap is well known for being extremely good at removing oils, which is why it’s the perfect substance to turn to when you come into contact with one of these plants.

Use warm tap water and a generous amount of dish soap to wash the area that’s come into contact with one of these plants to strip away their harmful oils. You may still end up getting a small rash, but you’ll significantly lessen the damage the plant can do to your skin and seriously speed up your recovery time.

Get The Perfect Garden With This DIY Weed Killer

Pesky weeds are the bane of every gardener’s existence. Weeds are extremely resilient, and they tend to take over gardens unless you’re very diligent about keeping them at bay. For most people, this involves the use of some chemical spray to prevent the weeds from growing and spreading. But there’s an easy DIY solution involving dish soap that you have to try!

Get an empty spray bottle and fill it halfway with tap water. Then, add a generous amount of dish soap and Epsom salt. Top the bottle off with distilled white vinegar and start spraying those weeds! This is a super effective weed killer that’s way more environmentally friendly than anything you’ll find at the store.

Keep Your Windows From Fogging Up

Whether you’re dealing with this issue inside your home or your car, it’s never fun to wake up in the morning and find your windows clogged with condensation. While it’s totally normal for this to happen, it can impede your day-to-day life, especially if it happens to your car windows and you’re struggling to clear up the condensation so you can leave for work.

Thankfully, we have an easy solution for you! All you need for this hack is a couple of drops of dish soap and a clean cloth. Squeeze a few drops of dish soap onto your cloth and then gently rub it onto the inside surface of the window you want to be condensation-free. This trick works like a charm and will make your mornings run much more smoothly.

Eliminate Icy Sidewalks

If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow and ice, then you understand the importance of having a solid plan for removing ice from the sidewalks. Most people will reach for some rock salt in this situation, but it’s actually not the best solution, despite being effective.

Rock salt can damage the concrete over time, so give this idea a try instead. Take a gallon bucket and mix warm tap water, a cup of dish soap, and a cup of rubbing alcohol. Give the solution a stir to make sure it’s mixed up well. Then, toss the bucket onto the icy areas. This will help eliminate the ice and give you a safer surface to walk on.

Unclog A Toilet Without Chemicals

Dealing with a clogged toilet can be a massive headache. It’s usually accompanied by quite an unpleasant mess, and most homeowners turn to harsh chemicals or expensive plumbers to unclog their toilets. However, we have an awesome trick that will work like a charm to clear that clog without using chemicals or shelling out the dough for a plumber.

Simply pour a cup of dish soap into the toilet and then flush it with several cups of very hot water. The combination of hot water and de-greasing dish soap will break down the clog quickly and leave you with a functioning and clean toilet.

Restore Your Tools

Whether you have gardening tools caked with dirt or mechanic tools soaked in grease, dish soap is the perfect solution for you! As we all know by now, dish soap is amazing at removing oils, build-up, and grease from pretty much anything. Want to restore your tools to their former glory?

Grab a bucket and mix hot water with a generous amount of dish soap. Place your tools inside the water and let them soak for a while. When you pull them out, be sure to give them a good scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse the tools off thoroughly and set them aside to dry. They’ll be ready for you to use again in no time.

Clean Your Dirty Grill

Who doesn’t love a good barbeque every now and again? It’s a great way to gather with friends and family and enjoy some delicious food while hanging out in the backyard. Of course, the downside to grilling is having a tough surface to clean up afterward.

However, there’s an easy solution to this dilemma that doesn’t involve chemicals and will cut your cleaning time in half! For this trick, you’ll want to make a paste using baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and dish soap. Apply the paste to your grill and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, take your brush and go to town! The grease and food residue should come off easily with this trick.

Remove Stains From Your Mattress

Even with a mattress protector, stains still happen. These unsightly spots can make us feel like we’re sleeping on an unclean surface, and no one wants that! Rather than toss your stained mattress and shell out hundreds of dollars for a new one, learn how to effectively clean the stains yourself with this trick. All you’ll need is dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.

Combine those three ingredients in a spray bottle, or use them to make a paste. Apply the solution generously to the stains and let it sit for several minutes. Then, go over the area with a clean cloth or soft brush. Run a vacuum over the area afterward to reveal a squeaky clean and unstained mattress!

Remove Sticky Stuff From Your Hair

Anyone with children knows the headache that comes along with trying to remove sticky substances from hair. Gum, peanut butter, melted candies, and more can really stick to the hair and make you question whether it’s worth salvaging. Before you panic and pull out the scissors, remember this trick!

Dish soap is amazing at stripping away oils and grease from substances, which makes it perfect for removing sticky stuff from hair. Just thoroughly coat the affected area of hair with a mixture of tap water and a generous amount of dish soap. This will help break up the sticky substance and allow you to pick it out without having to worry about cutting off any hair.

Stop Fruit Flies From Taking Over

Anyone who’s experienced an infestation of fruit flies in their home knows how quickly these little pests tend to take over. They’re tiny and very difficult to get rid of, but that’s why we’re telling you about this awesome life hack! Here’s what you want to do. First, determine the area where you get the most fruit flies- for most people, that happens in the kitchen.

Next, take a small bowl and fill it with apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap to the bowl and leave it sitting out. The apple cider vinegar will attract the fruit flies while the dish soap prevents them from escaping! This is an excellent, all-natural alternative to the traps you’ll find at the store.

Create A DIY All Purpose Cleaner

We’ve already praised how versatile dish soap is, but now it’s time to show just how versatile it really is. You can use it to create a DIY all-purpose cleaner that can clean just about anything in your home effectively. All you need is one cup of distilled white vinegar and half a cup of dish soap. Mix the two together in a spray bottle and wait a bit for the solution to settle. Then, grab your cleaning cloth and feel free to get to work. This solution can be used to clean countertops, sinks, toilets, windows, and even some furniture!

Clean Away Tough Soap Scum

Soap scum is one of those build-ups everyone gets in their home that’s very difficult clean. It’s pretty much impossible to prevent and it takes serious effort to remove. While many people turn to bleach to get their showers and tubs looking squeaky clean, that’s not always the best choice.

If you’re looking for an alternative to harsh chemicals, this tip is for you! Simply mix hot water, baking soda, and dish soap together in a bucket. Then, grab your scrub brush and start going at the scum. You’re tub and shower will be shiny and free of scum before you know it and you won’t have to worry about inhaling dangerous chemical fumes like you would while working with bleach.

Get Your Stovetop Squeaky Clean

Dish soap and baking soda are two of the most versatile cleaners most people keep in their kitchens. Each is strong by itself, but combining them creates a cleaning powerhouse that’s perfect for tackling the tougher messes found on your stovetop. Make sure your stovetop is completely cool before you begin!

Make a paste by mixing baking soda, water, and dish soap together. Spread the paste on your stovetop and let it sit for several minutes. Then, you can begin scrubbing away the grease and food residues with a clean cloth. Afterward, you can enjoy your clean stove by making more delicious food!