Dawn is known for cutting through greasy dishes, but that blue bottle can also help with plenty of other household jobs. From cleaning outdoor furniture to tackling oily stains on clothes, you can use it in several ways beyond the kitchen sink.
Some of these uses can save you from buying another cleaning product, while others are handy fixes for occasional messes. Here are 17 ways to use Dawn around the house, along with a few things to keep in mind before trying them.
1. Cleaning Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture collects dust, pollen, dirt, and all kinds of marks from being left outside. A little Dawn mixed with warm water can help clean many washable surfaces.
Wipe down the furniture with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water. For removable cushions, check the care label before using soapy water, and let everything dry completely before putting it back outside.
2. Grill Cleaning
Scrubbing greasy grill grates after a barbecue is nobody’s favorite chore. Dawn can help loosen stuck-on grease before you start scrubbing.
Place removable grates in a large container with warm water and a little Dawn, then let them soak before scrubbing with a suitable grill brush. Rinse them thoroughly and let them dry completely before putting them back on the grill.
3. Cleaning Plastic Pools
Small plastic pools can get surprisingly dirty from dust, sunscreen, and regular outdoor use. Once the pool is empty, wash the sides and bottom with warm water and a small amount of Dawn.
Use a soft sponge or cloth to remove the grime, then rinse the entire pool thoroughly with clean water. Don’t refill it until you’ve washed away all soap residue.
4. Removing Gum From Hair
Finding chewing gum stuck in a child’s hair can quickly become frustrating. A little Dawn may help loosen the gum and make it easier to separate from the strands.
Work a small amount around the gum and gently pull the affected hair away from it. Avoid tugging, and wash and condition the hair afterward to remove any leftover soap.
5. Removing Hair Product Buildup
Hair can feel coated or greasy after several days of using styling creams, sprays, and other products. Dawn is a strong degreaser, but it can strip natural oils from your hair and scalp, so it isn’t a good substitute for regular shampoo.
A clarifying shampoo is a better choice for removing stubborn product buildup. If you use a tiny amount of Dawn as a one-time fix, dilute it well, rinse thoroughly, and follow with conditioner, keeping it away from your eyes and irritated skin.
6. Helping With a Clogged Toilet
A minor toilet clog may sometimes respond to a little dish soap and warm water. Dawn can help lubricate the blockage, making it easier for it to move through the drain.
Add a small amount to the toilet bowl and let it sit for several minutes before carefully adding warm water, never boiling water. If the water starts rising or the clog remains, stop and use a toilet plunger instead, and never combine Dawn with chemical drain cleaners.
7. Tub and Shower Cleaning
Soap scum, body oils, and everyday grime can leave tubs and showers looking less than clean. Dawn can help break down greasy residue on washable surfaces.
Mix a small amount with warm water and apply it with a non-scratch sponge. For heavier soap scum, you can use a diluted vinegar-and-Dawn mixture, but never combine it with bleach, ammonia, or other cleaning products.
8. Window Cleaning
You don’t need a cabinet full of specialty products to remove fingerprints and greasy marks from windows. A few drops of Dawn mixed with plenty of water can help loosen dirt from glass.
Use a microfiber cloth or squeegee to clean the surface and wipe away the remaining solution. Use very little soap, because too much can leave streaks and a cloudy film.
9. Carpet Stain Removal
Greasy spills and food stains can be difficult to remove from carpets. A diluted Dawn solution may help with certain fresh stains, but always test it on a hidden area first to check for color changes.
Apply a small amount to the stain and gently blot, rather than soaking the carpet. Blot again with clean water to remove soap residue, then let the area dry completely; avoid adding hydrogen peroxide unless you’ve checked that it is safe for your carpet color and material.
10. Laundry Stains
Oil and grease stains can be stubborn, especially if they’ve already been through a wash cycle. Dawn can help loosen oily residue before you put the garment in the washing machine.
Apply a small amount to the stain, gently work it into the fabric, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing as directed on the care label. Check that the stain is gone before putting the garment in the dryer, since heat can make some stains harder to remove.
11. Weed Control
Some homemade weed sprays include Dawn because the soap helps the liquid spread across plant leaves. Dish soap alone isn’t a reliable weed killer, and concentrated mixtures can damage nearby plants and soil.
Vinegar-and-salt mixtures can also harm grass, flowers, and other plants, so they aren’t a safe choice for every garden. For weeds growing near plants you want to keep, hand-pulling or using a product labeled for that area is a better option.
12. Fly Catcher
Add a little Dawn to a simple vinegar trap to catch fruit flies around the kitchen. The soap reduces the liquid’s surface tension, making it harder for flies to escape once they land in the mixture.
Pour white vinegar into a shallow container and add a drop of Dawn. Keep the trap away from children and pets, and replace it when needed.
13. Flea Cleanup
Dawn is sometimes used to bathe pets when fleas are present, but it doesn’t treat an entire flea infestation. It may kill some adult fleas during bathing, but flea eggs and larvae can remain on the animal and around the home.
Ask your veterinarian about a flea treatment made for your pet’s species, age, and size. If an emergency bath is needed, use only a small amount of diluted soap, avoid the eyes and ears, rinse thoroughly, and stop if the skin becomes irritated.
14. Pet Shampoo in a Pinch
Running out of pet shampoo can leave you looking for something else to use during bath time. Dawn can remove dirt and grease from a pet’s coat, but frequent use may dry out the skin or cause irritation.
For an occasional emergency bath, use a small amount diluted with plenty of water and keep it away from the eyes, nose, and mouth. Rinse the coat very well, and use shampoo made for your pet for regular baths.
15. Don’t Use Dawn in the Dishwasher
This is one use worth avoiding altogether. Adding regular dish soap to a dishwasher might seem like a quick fix when you’re out of detergent, but Dawn creates far too much suds for the machine.
The foam can spill out onto your kitchen floor and leave you with an even bigger mess to clean up. Stick with dishwasher detergent made for automatic dishwashers.
Related: How to Make Dishwasher Powder at Home – An All-Natural Recipe
16. Cleaning Fabric and Upholstery
Dawn may help lift greasy spots from certain washable fabrics and upholstery. Mix a tiny amount with water, apply it sparingly, and blot the area with a clean cloth rather than soaking it.
Check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before trying this on furniture or fabric. Test a hidden spot first, especially on colored upholstery, and let the material dry fully.
17. Removing Sticky Price Tags
Peeling off a price sticker only to find sticky residue underneath can be annoying. A little Dawn may help loosen the leftover adhesive on some washable surfaces.
Apply a small amount to the residue, let it sit briefly, and wipe with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse or wipe the area clean, and test a hidden spot first if you’re working with a delicate finish.
