Surprising Ways to Use Dawn Dish Soap Not as Dishes

Virtually every kitchen in America has a bottle of Dawn dish soap in it. Since 1973, the legendary blue liquid has been a staple in American kitchens. Over the years, Dawn has continued to revolutionize the game by adding different products to their line, but even their newest products, such as Dawn Power Wash, share the same general makeup as the original dish detergent.

While you’ve undoubtedly used Dawn at some point to get some stubborn, stuck-on grease off your pots and pans, you may not be aware of just how versatile this substance truly is. From personal hygiene to outdoor cleaning, Dawn dish soap has a variety of potential uses, many of which you probably didn’t know about.

Cleaning Your Counters

As we just mentioned, one of the most popular products from Dawn is the Dawn Power Wash, which comes in a bottle with a trigger that allows you to spray the cleaner on different surfaces with a bit more force. Initially, Dawn Power Wash was created to help people clean a sink full of dishes without using excessive water. However, the same feature that makes that possible makes Dawn Power Wash a great option for sanitizing your countertops.

A quick spray on your countertop followed by a wipe down with a damp, clean dishtowel will remove dirt, debris, and any type of food buildup that has found its way onto your counters. According to the manufacturer, Dawn Power Wash can be used on light or dark granite, quartz, stainless steel, Corian, and virtually every other material used to make kitchen counters. However, it is not recommended for unsealed wood or marble surfaces.

Pre-Treating Laundry

Some stubborn laundry stains require a little more work than just throwing the piece of clothing into the washing machine. If you have an oil-based stain on your laundry, such as those created by lipstick, certain ink pens, motor oil, or cooking oil, you can use Dawn dish soap to pretreat the area. Simply squirt some Dawn dish soap onto the stain, scrub it with a small brush (an unused toothbrush that you’re going to dispose of afterward is fine), and then let it soak for a few minutes before washing.

Keeping Your Lunchbox Cool

If you’re packing your lunch for work or getting your children ready for school but realize you don’t have any freeze packs, you may be surprised to find that Dawn can do that for you. While you’re going to use most of what’s in the bottle to do this, fill a zip-top bag with Dawn dish soap, seal it shut, and then put the bag in the freezer. Within two hours, you should have a reusable ice pack that will keep the contents of the lunchbox you’re chilling cool for hours.

Cleaning Your Home’s Exterior

Most of these surprising uses for Dawn dish soap involve cleaning inside your home, but there are some uses for Dawn outside. This is especially true if your home has vinyl siding. While you can certainly go to a hardware store and buy an expensive cleaning solution, you can squirt some dawn into a pump sprayer before spraying it on your vinyl siding. Let the Dawn dish detergent sit on the surface for 10 or 15 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled broom or brush, much like the kind you would use on your car. Once you’ve scrubbed with a brush, you should be able to spray water on the siding to rinse everything away.

You can use Dawn dish soap on other materials, such as brick, but it generally doesn’t do as well as it does on vinyl siding. If you choose to use Dawn on other surfaces, be prepared to use a hard-bristled brush and scrub a bit more vigorously.

Other Kitchen Uses

Obviously, you can use Dawn on the dirtiest of dishes, and now you know it’s good for your countertops, too. However, you can also use Dawn to get those hard-to-clean substances off of your oven door or microwave.

You will need to put together a bit of a mixture for this, though. Grab a spray bottle, and fill it with ½ cup of warm water, ½ cup of distilled white vinegar, and ½ a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid. Shake the bottle to mix everything up and then spray those glass doors in your kitchen.

Depending on how much food debris is on your oven door or microwave, you may need to let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a paper towel or microfiber towel. Soon, you’ll notice those surfaces shining just like new.

Dawn as…Shampoo?

Under no circumstances should you completely replace your regular shampoo with Dawn dish detergent. However, some people insist on using a pea-sized amount of Dawn dish soap as shampoo a couple of times a year, claiming that it gets rid of the oily buildup that some traditional shampoos just can’t get rid of.

Experts caution that this should only be done occasionally, as Dawn can strip the hair of natural oils and cause dryness. Always dilute the soap and rinse thoroughly.

Again, do not throw out your shampoo to replace it with Dawn. Before doing this, consider talking to your hairdresser or barber, or do some research on your own.

It's Not Just Shampoo for Humans

Similarly to using it on your own hair, using Dawn as a flea shampoo may have some short-term viability. While you should certainly continue treating your pet with a year-round flea and tick treatment, Dawn can provide a quick remedy.

For instance, if your dog comes home from the dog park with flea signs, you can use some Dawn dish soap to bathe your pup if you don’t have any flea shampoo on hand. That said, Dawn does not kill flea eggs or larvae. Always consult your vet before using Dawn as a flea remedy. This isn’t the kind of thing you’ll want to do too often, as Dawn may be too abrasive for the skin of some animals, but in a pinch, it can get rid of your pet’s itch.

Dawn Dish Soap in the Bathroom

You’ll probably be surprised to find out that Dawn dish detergent offers several potential uses in the bathroom. First, in the same way that you can use it to clean your oven or microwave, you can use it on your sink, tub, or shower. Start by filling a spray bottle to around 50% with white vinegar and placing it in the microwave. Obviously, you’ll want to use a bottle that’s microwave-safe. Remove the bottle after 30-60 seconds and shake it well before filling it the rest of the way with Dawn dish soap. Put the lid on and shake well again, and you’ll have a cleaning solution that can remove soap scum and other gunk found in your tub or shower.

You can also use Dawn dish soap to clear a clogged toilet! Pour one cup of Dawn dish soap into your toilet bowl and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Fill a mop bucket with hot water (being careful not to spill any on yourself), and pour the bucket into the toilet bowl from the waist level. The solution will destroy most clogs that have formed in your drain.

Pool Cleaner

Finally, if you have some debris in your pool, Dawn dish soap may be the solution that you’re looking for. If you squirt some dawn dish soap into the middle of the pool, it should alter the water’s makeup enough that dirt, leaves, and even suntan lotion will move to the edges of the pool, allowing you to easily skim those unwanted substances out of the pool.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better dish cleaner than Dawn dish soap. There’s a reason that it’s been a staple in kitchens since the early 1970s. However, Dawn dish detergent offers a variety of other uses that can help you keep your home cleaner, your pets more comfortable, and more. No wonder people have been trusting Dawn for more than 50 years!

Jewelry Cleaner

If your favorite necklace or wedding ring has lost some of its sparkle, Dawn can help restore the shine. Mix a few drops of Dawn dish soap with warm water and soak your jewelry for a few minutes. Then, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and rinse well. Just like that, your jewelry looks like new again; no jeweler required.

Window and Mirror Cleaner

Streaky windows and mirrors are no match for Dawn. Fill a spray bottle with water and just a drop or two of dish soap, then spritz your glass surfaces. Wipe clean with a microfiber towel or paper towel for a streak-free shine that’s quick and easy.

Manicure Soak

Here’s a fun tip for your next at-home spa day: mix a small amount of Dawn dish soap with warm water and soak your fingers for a few minutes. The solution helps soften cuticles, making them easier to push back and leaving your nails ready for polish.

Makeup Brush Cleaner

Makeup brushes can trap a surprising amount of oil and bacteria. But Dawn is here to help. Swirl your brushes in a small bowl of warm water mixed with a drop of Dawn, then rinse thoroughly and let them dry. It’s an affordable and effective way to keep your beauty tools clean and your skin happy.

Mattress Stain Remover

Do you have an annoying stain on your mattress? Dawn to the rescue. Mix 1 tablespoon of Dawn with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot it away with a clean towel. It’s a simple fix that tackles even the toughest sleep stains.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better dish cleaner than Dawn dish soap. There’s a reason that it’s been a staple in kitchens since the early 1970s. However, Dawn dish detergent offers a variety of other uses that can help you keep your home cleaner, your pets more comfortable, and more. No wonder people have been trusting Dawn for more than 50 years!