Who says dish soap has to stay by the kitchen sink? Dawn has become a favorite household staple for more than just washing plates, glasses, and greasy pans. Its ability to break down oils makes it useful for all kinds of cleaning jobs around the house.
The market for dishwashing products continues to grow, too. Fortune Business Insights reported that the global dishwashing products market was valued at $39.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $60.27 billion by 2032.
Still, you don’t need a cabinet full of specialty cleaners for every little mess. A bottle of Dawn can handle quite a few jobs on its own or with a couple of other common household ingredients. Here are 15 uses worth trying.
Homemade Fabric Deodorizer
Fabric can hold onto odors long after the original source is gone. Couches, curtains, and other upholstered items can pick up cooking smells, pet odors, and everyday grime.
For washable or water-safe fabrics, mix a small amount of Dawn with warm water and a little vinegar. Lightly mist the fabric and let it dry completely. Don’t soak upholstery, since too much moisture can lead to water marks or mildew.
Always test the mixture on a hidden area first, especially on colored or delicate fabric.
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Rug Spot Cleaner
Greasy food stains can be particularly stubborn on rugs. A small amount of Dawn can help loosen the oils that hold those stains in place.
For a tougher stain, some people combine Dawn with hydrogen peroxide. Before using that mixture, test it on an inconspicuous section since hydrogen peroxide can lighten certain fabrics and dyes.
Apply a small amount to the stain, gently blot, and work from the outside toward the center. Avoid soaking the rug, and rinse or blot away any remaining soap when you’re finished.
Adhesive Residue Remover
Those sticky patches left behind by labels and tape can be incredibly annoying. Instead of scraping at them with your fingernails, try a little Dawn.
Apply a small amount of dish soap to the residue and let it sit for a few minutes. For stubborn spots, a little baking soda can add gentle scrubbing action. Wipe the area clean afterward.
This works especially well on washable surfaces such as glass, plastic, and some metal items. Test painted or finished surfaces first.
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Toilet Clog Helper
A small amount of Dawn can sometimes help with a minor toilet clog by making the sides of the bowl more slippery.
Add some dish soap to the bowl and follow it with hot water. The water should be hot but not boiling, since boiling water can damage porcelain.
Give it some time before trying the toilet again. This trick isn’t a substitute for a plunger or plumber, though. If the toilet remains clogged or the blockage involves a solid object, stop trying household fixes and address the problem properly.
Patio Furniture Scrubber
Outdoor furniture gets hit with pollen, dirt, bird droppings, sunscreen, and greasy fingerprints. Dawn mixed with warm water makes a handy cleaner for many plastic, metal, and other washable patio surfaces.
Dip a sponge or soft brush into the mixture and scrub away the grime. Rinse everything thoroughly afterward so soap doesn’t leave a sticky film behind.
For cushions and specialty finishes, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before reaching for dish soap.
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Hairbrush and Comb Cleaner
Hairbrushes collect more than loose strands of hair. Over time, they can become coated with styling products, oils, and dust.
Remove the hair first, then soak a washable brush or comb in warm water with a small amount of Dawn. Give it a gentle scrub and rinse it well before leaving it to dry completely.
The same idea can help with certain washable hair accessories that have accumulated oily product residue.
Barbecue Grill Cleaner
Grills can become coated with grease and bits of burnt food after several cookouts. Dawn can help break through that greasy buildup.
Apply some dish soap to a damp scrubber and work over the cooled grill surfaces. For stubborn grease, baking soda can provide extra scrubbing action.
Rinse the grates thoroughly before using the grill again. Nobody wants dinner tasting like dish soap.
Also, avoid using this method on a hot grill. Let the cooking surfaces cool completely before cleaning.
Bug Trap Mixture
Fruit flies can become a real nuisance, especially around ripe produce. A simple trap made with sweet liquid and a few drops of Dawn can help.
Put a little juice, sweet wine, or another sugary liquid in a shallow dish and add a few drops of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, making it harder for insects to stay on top.
Place the dish near the area where fruit flies are gathering. Of course, removing overripe fruit and keeping food surfaces clean will help deal with the source of the problem, too.
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Glass Cleaner
You don’t need much Dawn to clean greasy fingerprints and everyday grime from glass. Add just a few drops to a container of water and use a microfiber cloth to wipe windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops.
The key is using a very small amount of soap. Too much can leave streaks or a cloudy film.
For the clearest finish, wipe the glass with a clean, dry microfiber cloth after washing.
Inflatable Pool Cleaner
Small inflatable pools can collect dirt, sunscreen, grass, and body oils surprisingly quickly. For the empty pool itself, a little Dawn diluted in water can help remove surface grime.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to clean the interior, then rinse thoroughly. You don’t want soap residue left behind before the pool is refilled.
Never add Dawn directly to the pool water. Dish soap isn’t a replacement for the sanitation products needed to keep recreational water safe.
Clothing Stain Remover
Greasy food stains are one of Dawn’s most useful laundry applications. A drop of dish soap can help break down oil-based stains from foods such as salad dressing, butter, and cooking grease.
Apply a small amount directly to the stain, gently work it into the fabric, and let it sit briefly before washing according to the garment’s care instructions.
Check the stain before putting the item in the dryer. Heat can set some stains, making them much harder to remove later.
Pet Cleaning
Dawn is sometimes used in emergency situations to remove grease or substances from an animal’s coat, but it shouldn’t become a regular pet shampoo.
Dish soap can strip natural oils from the skin and leave some pets dry or irritated. For routine bathing, a shampoo made for your pet’s species and skin needs is a better choice.
If your pet has gotten into a potentially toxic substance, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service rather than relying on a household cleaning trick.
Chewing Gum Remover
Gum stuck to hair or carpet can turn into a frustrating mess. A little Dawn may help loosen its grip.
For hair, massage a small amount of dish soap around the gum and gently work it loose. Take your time rather than pulling hard.
For carpet, apply a small amount around the gum, work it gently, and blot the area with warm water afterward. Always test the carpet in a hidden spot before using any cleaning mixture.
Weed Treatment
Dawn is sometimes mixed with vinegar and salt as a homemade weed treatment. The soap can help the mixture spread across plant leaves, while vinegar can damage plant tissue and salt can interfere with plant growth.
This isn’t a selective weed killer, though. The mixture can damage grass, flowers, vegetables, and other plants it touches.
If you use a homemade mixture, keep it away from plants you want to keep and avoid spraying near waterways or areas where runoff could cause problems. For persistent weeds, a product labeled for the specific weed and location is usually a safer choice.
Shower and Bathtub Scrub
Soap scum and greasy residue can make a clean bathroom look dingy. Dawn can help cut through the oily portion of that buildup.
A mixture of Dawn and vinegar is often used as a homemade bathroom cleaner. Apply it to the tub or shower surface, let it sit for a short time, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.
One important warning: Never mix vinegar with bleach or products containing bleach. The combination can create dangerous fumes.
For natural stone surfaces such as marble or limestone, skip vinegar because its acidity can damage the stone. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before using any homemade cleaner.
