Dish detergent might be a sink-side staple, but its cleaning power is incredibly helpful all over the house. Because the liquid is mild, it's often a great choice over harsher chemicals (plus, we bet you've got an ever-ready stockpile of the stuff under your sink). Next time you're giving your house a once-over, consider these new ways to use the sudsy liquid.
1. Erase greasy stains on clothes.
Spot salad dressing on your shirt? Rub a little dish detergent into the stain and rinse with water (this method works great for removing rings around the collar, too). The soap is gentle enough for spot-treating most fabrics — even washable wool and silk, which could be damaged by laundry detergent that has stain-fighting enzymes.
2. Clean your kitchen and bathroom floors.
To transform a bucket of warm water into a helpful floor cleanser, just add two tablespoons of dish liquid. Use the solution on vinyl or tile flooring, but avoid hardwoods (the water could warp the boards).
3. De-grime patio furniture.
Add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, and use it to wipe down your outdoor tables and chairs. Then, rinse clean with the garden hose.
4. Shine your jewelry.
A little dish soap mixed with seltzer is a quick way to clean your baubles — the bubbles help loosen dirt and help the soap get into tiny nooks and crannies. Combine the seltzer and soap in a bowl, soak the jewelry for five minutes, and then swish it through the suds. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub out any stubborn grime.
RELATED: Make Your Jewelry Shine Like New »
5. Clean hairbrushes and combs.
Combat build-up from grooming products and greasy hair with a sudsy solution of a few drops of dish soap mixed with warm water.
6. Launder hand-washable clothing.
In a pinch, you can use a tablespoon of dish soap in place of the detergent you use to hand wash delicates.
7. Trap and kill fruit flies.
Add three drops of dish soap to a bowl of vinegar (which attracts the little buggers). The detergent will cut surface tension, so the flies will sink and drown.
RELATED: 7 Smart Uses for Vinegar »
8. Remove stains on carpeting.
Dissolve one tablespoon of dish liquid into two cups of warm water, and blot the stain with a clean white cloth dipped into the solution. Repeat until the stain absorbs into the cloth and disappears from the carpet. Then sponge with cold water, and blot dry with a clean cloth.
9. Wipe down kitchen cabinets.
Just like your cooking tools, cupboards can get greasy when you're making dinner. Add a little dish soap to a spray bottle with warm water to mist away the grime. Then, rinse with a well-wrung cloth and dry.
10. Banish oil stains from concrete.
If you spy a spot on your garage floor, cover the stain with baking soda and then pour some dish liquid over it. Scrub with a plastic brush, and let everything sit for a few hours. Rinse and repeat until the stain is gone.
TELL US: How do you use dish soap around the house?
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Photo: Carlos Gawronski/Getty
This article originally appeared on Good Housekeeping.