12 dish soap hacks that will change your cleaning game | Better Homes and Gardens (2025)

Dish washing detergent is one of the most versatile cleaning products on the market, and it’s also the cheapest, costing as little as $2 from the supermarket. While we use it for sparkling clean dishes, there are also a variety of dish soap hacks that will make cleaning pretty much every room in the house a breeze. From the laundry to the bathroom, it’ll be your new secret weapon for spotless results.

But don’t take our word for it. Mums on the internet are going crazy over the simplicity and versatility of it in their cleaning routine.

“I used to be a domestic house cleaner and our ‘multi-purpose’ cleaner was just a watered-down dish soap in a spray bottle,” revealed one Redditor.

“Was just going to recommend watered-down dish soap,” said another. “It does absolute wonders for soft stains, and quite often is not only the cheapest, but the safest option if you are pregnant, have small kids, or pets.”

What else can you use dish soap for?

Let us break down 12 ways to use dish soap to clean your home and save money on products you’ll never need to buy again.

1. Laundry stains, be gone!

There’s nothing worse than trying to get a nasty stain out of clothes to no avail. While there are plenty of ‘stain removers’ on the market, dishwashing detergent does the job just as well, particularly on oil stains. Detergent is a degreaser and removes oil from pots and pans.

Simply rub a few drops of detergent onto the stain and leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing and putting it into the washing machine. But don’t take our word for it. A mum on Reddit swears by the trick.

“As a toddler mom, dish soap has saved many a shirt, undies, and shoes in this house. I just put the soap right on the stain & let it soak for 15 mins then come back & check. Sometimes it takes a few cycles but it usually removes the stain completely. I like this as opposed to spraying & throwing in the washing machine bc that doesn’t always work and you have to “wait and see” if it does. This lets me see the results BEFORE putting in washing machine.”

2. Make jewellery sparkle again

Moisturiser, oils, hand sanitiser, perfume… everything we put on our bodies will transfer onto the jewellery we wear, removing its shine and beauty. All you need is some warm water with dishwashing detergent to remove product, tarnish, mild stains, dirt and grease. Leave them to soak, then use a soft toothbrush to clean them up and a polishing cloth to dry. Before you know it, they’ll come out looking brand new.

3. The easiest floor cleaner

This one’s a game changer. Dishwashing detergent is the perfect product for spotless, clean floors. It’ll not only leave them sparkling, but it removes spots and grime quickly and easily. We have a brilliant Reddit mum to back us up on this one, too.

“Honestly, it was the easiest mop ever, it was just instantly lifting any spots/grime. I thought I’d let it dry and then go back and mop with just water, but when I stepped on the floor, it just felt clean, no stickiness, no residue. I only used the tiniest amount, but I think I’m going to try it again. It might also have something to do with having a 2-year-old, so most spots on the floor probably are spilled food and drinks, so I might as well treat it like a giant dirty dish.”

Another mum chimed in with her experience.

“2 years later .. but I just washed my floors with dish soap, even tossed in a little bit of laundry detergent in there for the scent, and when I say my floors have never felt cleaner, I mean it!! Was I appalled by the amount of dirt that came off my floors? Yes. But it was so satisfying lol”

4. Crystal clear glass

Do you like your glass and mirrors so clean that you could accidentally walk into them? We do, too. The trick is using… You guessed it. Dishwashing detergent, the solution to (almost) every cleaning problem. Bunnings recommends using a high-pressure jet on windows (not essential, a hose will do fine if outdoors) or a water spray bottle on shower screens and mirrors to prepare for cleaning. Then mix a solution of dishwasher detergent and water. Spray it on, then wash it back off. The only difficulty is making sure you don’t accidentally walk into it.

5. One-step bathroom cleaner

Dishwashing detergent is a great multi-purpose cleaner and is used by many in the bathroom. A mum on Reddit shared her bathroom cleaning process.

“Get a spray bottle and fill it up with water almost to the top and then add 1-2 teaspoons of dish soap. Gently mix it up and then use it as a spray to clean.To disinfect, you can get another spray bottle and fill it with 70% isopropyl alcohol and add a teaspoon of dish soap. It smells when you use it, so turn on a fan, but it’s also eco-friendly.”

6. Stone bench top cleaner

Cleaning stone bench tops can be tricky, especially because some types don’t go well with strong chemicals and it can actually cause more damage than good. That’s why dishwashing detergent is the way to go, its mild and will leave it squeaky clean. Just use warm water and a squirt of the detergent and you can call it a day.

7. Kitchen sink shine

All you need for daily sink shine is dishwasher detergent. Simple drizzle it and wipe it down, followed by a disinfectant if you wish. Or, for a next-level polish, try adding some bi-carb soda on top and scrub it with steel wool before rinsing and drying with a microfibre towel.

8. Spotless kitchen cupboards

You don’t need chemical sprays going where your food does. Simply get a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent and wipe it clean. Clean the interior and exterior of your kitchen cupboards at least once a month to prevent the buildup of grease, grime and expired items.

9. Nasty smelling drains

Dirty drains smell terrible, so adding an extra step at the end of your cleaning routine will help prevent any nasty residue or smell from lingering. One cleaner on Quora shared how beneficial dishwashing detergent can be for drain hygiene.

1. Dishwasher detergents are designed to break down food particles, grease, and stains. This can help keep drains clean by preventing buildup that can lead to clogs.
2. Many dishwasher detergents contain fragrances or deodorizers that can help eliminate unpleasant odors in drains.

All you need to do is squirt some detergent down the drain and use hot water to rinse.

10. Dreaded blind cleaning

Yes, cleaning the blinds is one of the most time-consuming, boring job to do in the house, but it needs to be done. First dust then follow them up with a wipe of a solution of detergent and warm water.

11. No more driveway oil stains

Oil spots on driveways, be gone! Simply mix a simple solution of water with dish soap and it’ll cut through the grease in no time.

12. Forgotten outdoor furniture

Often, the outdoor furniture is forgotten when it comes to cleaning but believe us when we tell you the dirt builds up fast. While many think that means using strong, chemical cleaning products to remove the grime, most of the time, you only need warm water with detergent to notice a big difference. But you can always add vinegar for tougher-to-remove stains, too.

What can I use if I run out of dish soap?

There are a variety of alternatives if you run out of dish soap. Vinegar is another brilliant cleaning product that’s super versatile, as well as bi-carb soda.

What happens when you mix vinegar and dish soap?

When you mix vinegar and dish soap, they neutralise each other. Many people combine the agents to clean in the home, but it can be more effective if used separately.

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