Talk to any professional house cleaner, and they’ll share a common mistake people make when cleaning — using too many products. Cutting back on the number of cleaners you use not only saves you money but also makes the process easier.
If you’re gearing up for a whole-house clean, dish soap is what you should have on hand. Dish soap is formulated to lift dirt and grime from surfaces once mixed with water. It’s pH-neutral, which means it’s not acidic or basic and is safe for almost all surfaces.
What to Clean with Dish Soap
We recommend buying a big bottle of your favorite dish soap and using it to clean the following surfaces.
1. Pretreat Laundry Stains
Dish soap is a superior laundry stain remover. It can tackle everything from grease spots, like oil drippings from french fries, to ground in dirt on your kids’ favorite pair of jeans. It can even remove blood stains if used promptly.
Dampen the stained area with water, squirt a couple of drops of dish soap onto the stain, and rub around with your finger or a soft brush until sudsy. Let the dish soap sit for five minutes, then launder your garments as usual. Be sure to wash protein-based stains, like blood, in cold water.
2. Clean Natural Stone Countertops
Natural stone counters require pH-neutral cleaners. Acidic cleaners like vinegar can cause white marks on the stone, also known as etching. Make a natural stone cleaner by filling a sink with water and adding a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth into the mixture, wring it out, and wipe away.
3. Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are another household surface that requires pH-neutral cleaners. Acidic cleaners can weaken the top coat, which protects the wood flooring from moisture and wear.
Mix about a gallon of warm water with two drops of dish soap for a gentle floor cleanser. Be careful not to use too much soap, or it will leave a film behind.
4. Kitchen Cabinets
Stop wasting money on expensive cabinet cleaner creams—gentle soap is all you need. Mix a small amount of dish soap with water in a sink or bowl and use it to wipe dirt, grease, and fingerprint smudges from your cabinet doors.
5. Walls
It’s a good idea to wash walls at least once a year. The easiest way is with a flat microfiber mop and soapy water. First, dust the walls with a broom. Then, dip your mop into the soapy water, and wring out the excess. Run the mop down the wall from top to bottom, rinsing as needed.
6. Concrete
Cleaning concrete patios is a breeze with a bit of dish soap and water. Start by sweeping the concrete to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then, fill a bucket with water and add 2-4 drops of dish soap. Dip a soft-bristled brush in the mixture and scrub the concrete, working in small sections. Don’t let the soap dry on the patio; rinse one section before moving on to a new one.
7. Outdoor Furniture
Before you set your outdoor furniture out for the summer, scrub it down with soapy water. Then, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.
8. Shower Surrounds
One of our favorite shower cleaner recipes combines one part water, one part white distilled vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap. Add all ingredients to a refillable dish scrubber to clean dirt, hard water spots, and limescale from your shower surround.
9. Vent Covers
Vent covers collect dust and hair overtime, clogging the vent holes and making them look gross. Clean away all nasty debris by soaking vent covers in soapy water. First, remove the covers and add them to a sink filled with hot soapy water. Allow them to soak for ten minutes and then rinse and dry before reassembling.
10. Lunch Box and Backpack Liners
It doesn’t take long for kids’ lunch boxes and backpacks to fill with sticky grime. A little bit of dish soap dislodges all the gunk in a very gentle way. While we love Dawn Dish Soap, a non-toxic brand like Ecos or Branch Basics is perfect for cleaning kid items.
11. Hard Toys
Wash hard, non-battery-operated toys the same way you would dishes. Fill the sink with water, add a couple of drops of dish soap, and soak them. This gentle soap will remove all dirt without causing damage.
Use Dish Soap to Clean Just About Any Water-Safe Surface
If we list everything you could clean with dish soap, our list may never end. The truth is dish soap is the most versatile household cleaner. Use it on all hard, non-porous surfaces that are water-safe. You can also use it to pretreat most fabric stains or to hand wash fabric surfaces. Remember, a little goes a long way — ensure you don’t use too much soap, especially on potentially slippery surfaces like floors and showers.
