These Amazing Dish Soap Hacks Will Help You Clean Everything Around The House

Most people have a bottle of dish soap under the kitchen sink, and they know how great it is to clean plates and cookware. Something they might not know is that dish soap can be used in almost every part of a home, not just the kitchen.

From using dish soap in the garden to fixing squeaky door hinges, these upcoming tips, tricks, and hacks should be a go-to for everyone.

Cleans Stubborn Oil Stains

dish soap oil stains from concrete
Photo Credit: Pinterest / The Krazy Coupon Lady
Photo Credit: Pinterest / The Krazy Coupon Lady

Sick of looking at those oil stains on your garage floor or on your driveway? Dish soap can help you get those concrete stains out.

It isn't just the dish soap that you'll need though. First, sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, add dish soap and scrub it with a plastic or non-metallic brush. Let the mixture sit on the stain for a few hours then come back to it and scrub again, repeating until the stain is gone.

ADVERTISEMENT

Greasy Clothing Stains Are No More

ADVERTISEMENT
dawn clothing stain removal tip
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Karen Pembleton
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Karen Pembleton
ADVERTISEMENT

Dish soap is a proven grease-fighter but it doesn't have to be just on dishes. It can also help remove grease stains from clothing. Dish soap will cut through any type of grease including makeup, butter, and cooking oil.

ADVERTISEMENT

Simply grab a toothbrush, add a couple of drops of dish soap to the stain and gently scrub at it. Toss the clothing into the washer or just rinse it by hand in warm water and it'll be good as new.

ADVERTISEMENT

Combat Flies With Dish Soap

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dawn fruit fly solution combined with apple cider
Photo Credit: instagram / @wings.n.stings.gardener
Photo Credit: instagram / @wings.n.stings.gardener
ADVERTISEMENT

If your kitchen or office is filled with fruit flies and you cannot figure out how to get rid of them, then turn to dish soap to get the job done.

ADVERTISEMENT

Combine 4 or 5 drops of dish soap (some people swear that it has to be Dawn but that's yet to be cross-tested) with a cup filled about a 1/2 inch full of apple cider vinegar. Then place it wherever the fruit flies are and you'll be good to go.

ADVERTISEMENT

Make Your Own Ice Pack

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish soap ice pack trick
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Photo Credit: Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

If you need a makeshift ice pack or you're looking for one that's more pliable than the typical lunch box ice pack, you can use dish soap.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fill a plastic bag about one-third of the way full with dish soap then pop it in the freezer. The liquid will freeze but not completely. Then it will be cold enough to help with any bruises or bumps, but still malleable because it isn't frozen solid.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kill Fleas For Half The Price

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cat named Zilli getting bathed in turkey
Photo Credit: Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Instead of using expensive and often harsh flea prevention products on your dogs or outdoor cats, you can use dish soap.

ADVERTISEMENT

During flea season when you're giving your dog a bath, mix some lemon-scented dish soap into the water and use it to lather up your pets. It's a gentler product, it's much less expensive for you, and it gives your pup a lemony-fresh scent as an added bonus.

ADVERTISEMENT

Use Dish Soap As A Makeshift Pool Cleaner

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
kids playing in blow up pool
Photo Credit: MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you have an above-ground pool or even a blow-up pool, dish soap works as a great cleaner for a fraction of the price.

ADVERTISEMENT

Put a couple drops of the dish soap in the center of the pool. It will push all the leftover dirt, suntan lotion, or whatever else is floating around to the edge of the pool so you can clean it up easily. It's also won't do any damage to your filter and it's safe to swim in, so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's A Perfect Bubble Solution

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
kids making giant soap bubbles in berlin
Photo Credit: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

What kid (or adult) doesn't love blowing bubbles? It's a great summer outdoor activity but one kid always ends up dropping the tube or knocking it over and suddenly all the bubble liquid is on the ground.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not to fear though, dish soap is a great backup so that you don't burst your kids' bubbles. Mix 6 cups of water with 1 cup of dish soap, stir in 1/4 cup of corn syrup and voila, instant bubbles!

ADVERTISEMENT

Add Some Shine To Your Life

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning jewelry with dish soap
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Linda Spurdle
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Linda Spurdle
ADVERTISEMENT

Dish soap can save you time and money when it comes to dull jewelry. Mix seltzer with any dish soap and let your jewelry soak for about 5 minutes. Pull it out, scrub off any grime or film with a toothbrush, then lay it out to dry and see the sparkle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Now you don't have to feel about all those times you told yourself you would take your jewelry to a jeweler and watched TV instead.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get Rid Of Poison Ivy

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish soap plant hack spraying dawn
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Photo Credit: Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

Though it won't help with the itch after you touch it, dish soap can be used to get rid of poison ivy in your backyard before it spreads or infects anyone else.

ADVERTISEMENT

Take a little bit of dish soap and spread it all over the leaves of any of the poison ivy plants you find. Within a few days, the plants will wither up and die so you won't have any more popping up and you're free to roam again.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ward Off Those Ants Or Spiders

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Soap
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images/Canva
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images/Canva
ADVERTISEMENT

If your kitchen (or your entire home) has been taken over by ants and they seem to be coming out of the woodwork, dish soap is here to help. It can also help you out if you have one too many spiders crawling around.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mix water and dish soap into a spray bottle, then spray it around vents, windows, door frames, or anywhere that met be letting the ants into your house. It should stop the infestation in no time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Say Goodbye To Upholstery Stains

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning the couch with vacuum
Photo Credit: Instagram / @spotlessnyc
Photo Credit: Instagram / @spotlessnyc
ADVERTISEMENT

Dish soap is good for cleaning up the mess that your car leaves on the garage floor, but it's also good for cleaning up the mess your kids make inside your car.

ADVERTISEMENT

Using a hand mixer, whip together equal parts of dish soap and water, then use a rag to clean any spots from your car upholstery. It also works for other upholstery stains that you might find on your chairs or couches.

ADVERTISEMENT

Quickly Clean Your Eyeglasses

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish-soap-clean-eyeglasses
Pinterest
Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

Because dish soap is so gentle it can be used on sensitive products that you wouldn't want in contact with anything toxic. Dish soap can be used to clean eyeglasses, too. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

ADVERTISEMENT

Start by gently running warm water over your eyeglasses. Place a single, small drop of dish soap on each lens. Gently rub it across the lens making sure not to scratch it. Rinse them clean and gently dry.

ADVERTISEMENT

It Will Keep Your Manicure Looking Fresh

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish soap manicure hack
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Photo Credit: Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

If you're looking to step up your manicure game without stepping up your budget, then dish soap can make it easier.

ADVERTISEMENT

Soak your nails in dish soap beforehand to make your cuticles softer and easier to work with. It also strips the natural oils from your fingers and will make your manicure last longer because your polish will adhere better. Before no time you'll have the nicest nails on the block.

ADVERTISEMENT

Skip The Peanut Butter And Use Dish Soap To Get Gum Out Of Your Kid's Hair

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dawn
Pinterest
Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

On top of getting stains out of your clothing, dish soap can do wonders for your kid's hair if they manage to get something stuck in it.

ADVERTISEMENT

We've all heard the trick about using peanut butter to get gum out of hair, but then that just means they have another stick substance in their hair. Use dish soap instead. It can get out gum, silly putty, Play-doh, or the peanut butter you inevitably tried first.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's Instrumental In De-Skunking A Pet

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
bathtub with Dawn detergent
Anna Weaver/Reddit
Anna Weaver/Reddit
ADVERTISEMENT

It can be tiring for a dog owner to run a tomato juice bath each time their dog gets skunked. Instead of your house vaguely smelling of rotten tomatoes, combines 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup of baking soda and a few teaspoons of dish soap to use as a solution on your pet after they get sprayed.

ADVERTISEMENT

If your pet allows it, let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing for maximum effect.

ADVERTISEMENT

Keeping Your Outdoor Furniture and Toys Worthy Of Your BBQ Guests

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning patio furniture with dish soap
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Karen Pembleton
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Karen Pembleton
ADVERTISEMENT

Obviously, patio furniture or a kid's playground is going to get dirty when it's sitting outside all day, but you still want to impress your guests and you need to clean it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dish soap will have your furniture looking brand spanking new. For things like a kid's pool or a slide, it will wipe all the grime and dirt off without drying out the plastic (which would cause it to break down faster) and it'll have your patio table clean enough to eat off.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's A Powerful Shower And Bathtub Cleaner

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dawn-shower-floor-picture-38705
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Pauline Atkinson
Photo Credit: Pinterest / Pauline Atkinson
ADVERTISEMENT

Cleaning the tub is one of those household tasks that people tend to dread. It doesn't have to be back-breaking labor if you know this trick, though! Dish soap is a great all-purpose cleaner that works wonders in the bathroom. Let it take care of that built-up grime for you.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just pour a layer of soap over the floor of your shower or your tub, leave it overnight, then scrub away all the grime that built up overnight. Use a long-handled brush to save your back.

ADVERTISEMENT

Be Gone, Squeaky Hinges

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Detail of an old wooden door with rusted hinges
Paul Grogan/PhotoPlus Magazine/Future via Getty Images
Paul Grogan/PhotoPlus Magazine/Future via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Dish soap is a better, safer alternative for fixing squeaky sliding doors and doorknobs that always get stuck. You've tried every aerosol spray money can buy and yet, you can't get your bedroom door or your front door to stop squeaking. The sprays work for a few days or maybe even a few weeks but then it always comes back.

ADVERTISEMENT

The dish soap solution lasts longer than aerosol sprays, and it's better if you have children running around touching those doors and knobs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unclog the Toilet

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish-soap-cleaning-hack
Pinterest/Cradiori
Pinterest/Cradiori
ADVERTISEMENT

If you don't have a plunger (or don't want to use it) you can remedy a clogged toilet using dish soap. Pour a generous amount into the toilet bowl, about half a cup, and then let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't flush-- instead, slowly pour warm water into the toilet bowl. Make sure not to overflow it! You should see the soap and clog slowly drain down.

ADVERTISEMENT

De-Fog Your Car With Dish Soap

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
car windshield that's foggy
Photo Credit: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Yes, you read that right. Dish soap can be used to de-fog your car if you're one those people who still haven't quite figured out if you should turn your windshield de-fogger to hot or cold air.

ADVERTISEMENT

Squirt some dish soap onto a clean, dry cloth and work it into the glass until the soap disappears. It'll create a layer over the glass that will prevent it from fogging up in the future! You can also use that trick for glasses lenses.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Perfect Grill Cleaner

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
grillbucket
DIY Network/Pinterest
DIY Network/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

Once summer hits, it's time to break out the grill. And if you love grilling, then you probably know how much of a pain it can be to clean it. With dish soap, that pain can be a thing of the past.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fill a bucket with water and add some dish soap. Let the grill racks soak in the bucket for around 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse and all your problems should be gone.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get Rid Of That Grimy Grout

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Welsh dresser in kitchen in Villa San Michele
Do Agostini/Getty Images
Do Agostini/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Cleaning dirty tile floors can be a real... chore. We know it's not fun, but it can be made a little easier with dish soap. This hack is pretty easy, too.

ADVERTISEMENT

Put a cup of vinegar in the microwave and zap it for one minute. Once it's heated through, put it in a spray bottle with one cup of dish soap. Spray the mixture on your tile floors and wait for a few minutes before scrubbing the grime away.

ADVERTISEMENT

Easy And Affordable Insect Repellant

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
School Nurse At Pennsylvania Elementary School Prepares For School Year During Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic
Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you have an insect problem, we have a possible solution for you! Take a spray bottle and mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and mouthwash together. Once mixed together, spray the problem area.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you have unwanted insects, that means spray any cracks they may be coming through. Let the solution sit on the affected area for around 15 minutes before wiping away and smiling in relief.

ADVERTISEMENT

Revive Your Hair With Dish Soap

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dawn shower pic for shampoo
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Photo Credit: Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

After you manage to get the gum out of your hair, you can also use dish soap as an overall hair mask instead of buying a fancy expensive one from the drug store.

ADVERTISEMENT

Once a month, swap out your shampoo for dish soap and lather away. It'll strip away all of the oil build-up and residue from the other hair products you've been using in the past weeks, and leave you with squeaky clean shiny hair.

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Your Brushes And Combs With Ease

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Haarbürste mit Haare
Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The more you use your favorite brush or comb, the more oil and grime builds up between the bristles. One quick and easy way to give them a deep clean is with a soap bath!

ADVERTISEMENT

Combine hot water with Borax and dish soap. Once the ingredients are combined, soak your brush and comb. After a few minutes, wash them off, dry them, and marvel at the miracle that is a clean hair comb!

ADVERTISEMENT

De-Ice Your Driveway In A Pinch

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
FvS3gYt
Paleran/reddit
Paleran/reddit
ADVERTISEMENT

As winter settles in, depending on where you live, having ice on your driveway is a serious safety concern. Anyone looking for a new, cheap method to de-ice your driveway should consider trying this.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Then add that to a half-gallon of warm water. Once combined, pour the mixture over the iced area. Not only will it melt the ice that's there, it will also help prevent your driveway from re-freezing!

ADVERTISEMENT

Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Daily Life In Jammu And Kashmir
Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Why waste money on toxic chemicals to get rid of pests in your garden when there is an easier way? Use dish soap instead. Mix the soap together with water and gently spray your plants.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, this won't be a cure-all. While it will keep most insects and pests away, it won't work against all of them. But, we think it's still worth trying if you're looking for a pesticide alternative.

ADVERTISEMENT

Freeze Liquid Dish Soap For A Tiny And Mighty Cleaning Tool

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dish-soap-hack2
Twitter/brumagem
Twitter/brumagem
ADVERTISEMENT

People have been taking to Tik Tok to share their home cleaning hacks and this is one of the most popular hacks making the rounds. Tanyahomeinspo shared that she fills an ice tray with liquid dish soap to create a tiny and mighty cleaning tool!

ADVERTISEMENT

One the soap freezes, she puts on gloves and uses the cube to scrub away the grime on her oven rack. "It just slides off" she shares. Try the hack on your oven rack and other dirty surfaces in your kitchen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cleaning Your Tools Couldn't Be Easier

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Tools...
Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images
Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Why spend so much sweat scrubbing the grease off of your tools when it seems impossible to remove? Sweat no more thanks to this incredible dish soap hack. The first step -- mix a tablespoon of dish soap into a gallon of hot water.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rinse your tools in the solution and watch as the grease just slips away. Not only is this easy, but it will save you money in the long run!

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Excess Color From Your Hair

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
TAIWAN-THEME-HAIR
Mandy Cheng/AFP via Getty Images
Mandy Cheng/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Did you just dye your hair and realize it came out darker or brighter than you wanted? Instead of fretting trying to find solutions or dying your hair all over again, consider this dish soap hack.

ADVERTISEMENT

Use dish soap in the shower instead of shampoo. As you wash your hair, it will gently pull away any excess color. Once you dry off, you'll be left with the picture-perfect hair you wanted.

ADVERTISEMENT

Use It As An Alternative Car Cleaner

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
No unnecessary water consumption
Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images
Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Don't have time to make it to the car wash but still need to wash your car? Using dish soap is a quick and easy hack that will make you ditch the car wash for the rest of your life.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with a gallon of water. Make sure the solution gets nice and mixed and then dip a soft sponge or cloth in to soak it up. Now all you have to do is wipe down your car and you're good to get on the road!

ADVERTISEMENT

Wash Your Floors And Walls

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Cleaning walls at a university
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Did you know you could use dish soap to clean your floors and walls? Is there anything dish soap can't do? This hack needs a little more than just soap to work, but once you try it once you'll never clean your walls with anything else!

ADVERTISEMENT

Mix a half teaspoon of dish soap with one teaspoon of ammonia, two gallons of warm water, and a half cup of Borax. Put on cleaning gloves, then dip a soft rag or brush in the solution and start scrubbing down your walls!

ADVERTISEMENT

No More Weeds In Your Yard

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
bottles of dawn dish soap with flowers
Photo Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

It can be frustrating to watch weeds popping up on your driveway. And no matter what you do, they always seem to come back.

ADVERTISEMENT

To fight the weeds without chemicals, combine dish soap, salt, and vinegar into a spray bottle. Then spray it all over the spots where you've just pulled weeds from, or from spots where your weeds usually pop up. It will deter them from growing back as quickly and will kill some of them off altogether.

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Ink Stains From Clothes

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
removing-clothes-stains-55955
YouTube/eHow
YouTube/eHow
ADVERTISEMENT

It's nearly impossible to rub ink out of clothing. At least, it would be if we didn’t have hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored clothing, you can soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and dab it on the infected area. Then wash your clothes as normal.

ADVERTISEMENT

If this doesn’t work, your fabric may need a heavy-duty recipe. Create a solution of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% ammonia. The ammonia catalyzes the peroxide to work better. Only use clear ammonia, and don’t use it on wool or silk since the ammonia will eat through the proteins on both fabrics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Time For Teeth Whitening

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-129378525-78896
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

According to a 2004 study in the Journal of Dentistry, hydrogen peroxide effectively bleaches teeth. To whiten your teeth, create a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, or as long as you can stand. Spit the solution out if it hurts your mouth, and don't swallow it.

ADVERTISEMENT

The higher the concentration, the brighter the whitening. However, a 2006 study from the same journal reported that higher concentrations could harm the enamel. If you use a higher concentration (25% or 35%), shorten the amount of time that the peroxide is in your mouth.

ADVERTISEMENT

Help Your Plants Grow Big And Strong

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
helping-plants-43663
YouTube/Daisy Creek Farms with Jag Singh
YouTube/Daisy Creek Farms with Jag Singh
ADVERTISEMENT

Hydrogen peroxide works by releasing oxygen. Because plants use oxygen to absorb nutrients from the soil, they love this extra oxygen molecule. This promotes healthier, more vigorous plant growth for your garden.

ADVERTISEMENT

To encourage garden growth, mix one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per one cup of water. After you pour the mixture into a spray bottle, mist your plants. If you want to cover an entire garden, increase your dosage to 35% hydrogen peroxide. You can also use this to pre-treat seeds. Since peroxide kills fungi, it also wards off potential diseases such as root infections.

ADVERTISEMENT

It Can Save Your Dog's Life

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-73808444-25625
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Dog owners understand the risk of accidental poisoning. As soon as your dog eats a lot of grapes or chocolate, you're on the clock. You can safely induce vomiting by feeding your dog a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide creates a mild reaction but not extreme enough to cause harm.

ADVERTISEMENT

To induce vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide (any higher concentration is toxic). Feed your dog one teaspoon per five pounds of their body weight. The vomiting works ten to 15 minutes after eating, and it can last for up to 45 minutes. Afterward, follow up with your vet.

ADVERTISEMENT

Remove Labels or Glue

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
incredible-secret-cleaning-hack-60763
Facebook/FCT Surface Cleaning
Facebook/FCT Surface Cleaning
ADVERTISEMENT

It can be difficult and frustrating trying to remove a label or a sticker from a product you purchased. More often than not, the label or sticker will break apart into irritating small bits that take way too much work to get off. Plus you end up getting the label or sticker stuck under your nails, and it makes a big mess.

ADVERTISEMENT

An easier way to remove labels and stickers is by using hydrogen peroxide. Set the product on a flat surface and spray the label or sticker with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit. After about 10 minutes, the label should easily come off with a little light scrubbing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Re-Beautify Your Makeup Brushes

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning-makeup-brushes-34890
Pinterest/Jill Nystul | One Good Thing by Jillee
Pinterest/Jill Nystul | One Good Thing by Jillee
ADVERTISEMENT

"Through daily use, makeup brushes can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, says dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer, who co-founded the Dermatology Associates of New York. Dirty makeup brushes can result in staph infections if they aren't cleaned properly. Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide sufficiently disinfects them.

ADVERTISEMENT

Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl of warm water. Soak your brushes in the mixture for ten minutes. Swish the brushes around every now again. Afterward, remove your makeup brushes, rinse them with cold water, and let them air dry. If there’s any remaining residue, you can wash it off with soap.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wash Your Fruits And Vegetables

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
fruit-and-vegetables-21866
Pinterest/Hometalk | DIY Home & Garden
Pinterest/Hometalk | DIY Home & Garden
ADVERTISEMENT

It's essential to wash your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home. You never know who touched them or which pesticides they came into contact with. But instead of paying $8 for a veggie wash, why don’t you use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide?

ADVERTISEMENT

To create a veggie cleaner, fill your sink with cold water and add 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Don’t use a higher concentration since it’s not food safe. Wash your fruit and vegetables in the mixture, and then rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. According to Poison Control, hydrogen peroxide isn’t toxic, except in large amounts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Here's How To Safely Remove Wax From Your Ears

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-179790610-71688
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

A 2015 study from Australian Family Physician supports ear irrigation as the most effective way to remove ear wax. Ear irrigation involves a liquid that softens the wax and dislodges it. Since hydrogen peroxide makes the wax bubble and weaken, it's a safe way to clean your ears.

ADVERTISEMENT

Start by lying on your side. Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your upward-facing ear. Wait five minutes, then sit up and use a tissue to absorb any excess liquid. Then do the same on your other ear. Remember to consult your doctor before trying these home remedies.

ADVERTISEMENT

Disinfect Your Walls, Windows, Mirrors, And Countertops

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Home-cleaning-18156
Twitter/@Gala_Cleaning
Twitter/@Gala_Cleaning
ADVERTISEMENT

Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. That's why many household cleaners include this ingredient. If you’re running low on kitchen cleaners, use 3% hydrogen peroxide instead. Store it in a spray bottle and use as you would any other household cleaner.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, it takes time to work. You might want to leave the solution on your countertops or walls for a minute before wiping. A mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and plain soap makes an efficient cleaning solution for windows and mirrors.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Natural Deodorant

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-586119342-23312
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When bacteria breaks down sweat, it creates body odor. Because our armpits sweat more than any other area, they're the main culprit of body odor. Some people use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill these germs, and hence halt the B.O.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hydrogen peroxide is not an antiperspirant, so it won’t inhibit your sweating. But neither do deodorants. Swipe or spray some hydrogen peroxide wherever you’re sweating for odor relief. And it’s certainly cheaper than paying for a deodorant that could contain harmful substances like aluminum.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reshine Your Rusty Tools

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
rust-removal-83365
YouTube/DT
YouTube/DT
ADVERTISEMENT

When is the last time you cleaned your gardening shovel, screws, or hammer? Probably never. If your tools begin to rust, it's time for a scrub. Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the rusted area and rub it with steel wool or a brush. If you need a stronger solution, mix the peroxide with borax.

ADVERTISEMENT

Before you dive into this DIY, test a small of hydrogen peroxide. H202 may react with some metallic irons, although it shouldn’t affect stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. Double-check what your tools are made of before experimenting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lighten Your Hair At Half The Price

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
lightened-hair-97577
YouTube/ROSEBUD
YouTube/ROSEBUD
ADVERTISEMENT

Hydrogen peroxide makes up 6% to 10% of most blonde hair dyes. To save money, you can use the liquid chemical to lighten your hair instead of a lengthy routine. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, an alkaline chemical that will lower the acidity. Spread the paste through your hair and leave it on from 15 to 60 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with cold water.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the solution won't turn your hair bleach blonde, it will lighten the color noticeably. Be careful handling hydrogen peroxide, because it easily irritates the eyes. And if you use too much, it can damage your hair and skin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Have Discolored Nails? Try This

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
nail-bath-14866
Twitter/@Lifestyles1031
Twitter/@Lifestyles1031
ADVERTISEMENT

Why spend your money on spa foot treatments when you have so many other things to pay for? If you have cracked, rough callouses on the edges of your feet, hydrogen peroxide can soften that skin by breaking down the tissue around it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dilute two cups of hydrogen peroxide into two cups of hot water. Soak feet for 30 minutes. After you dry them off, scrub off all the dead skin. Then lather your feet with lotion, pop on some warm fuzzy socks, and hit the hay. Your feet will feel super soft in the morning.

ADVERTISEMENT

This Can Alleviate A Painful Canker Sore

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-151042170-56350
BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images
BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Anyone who has had a canker sore knows that it hurts. While hydrogen peroxide can't make a canker sore disappear, it can speed up the healing. The peroxide kills growing bacteria in your mouth, which may ameliorate some pain.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water–no more than half and half. Apply the mixture to your canker sore. Either dip a cotton ball in the solution and press it to your sore, or swish the liquid in your mouth. Either way, make sure not to swallow any of the peroxide. Oh, and it might sting a bit.

ADVERTISEMENT

Protect Your Shower From Mildew

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
yeet-18906
YouTube/Sandra J Schultz
YouTube/Sandra J Schultz
ADVERTISEMENT

Nobody likes cleaning their shower. That's why it’s best to clean a shower and shield it from future mold at the same time. Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spritz the walls of your shower and let it work its magic for 10 minutes. Then, wipe the mildew away.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to a 2013 study in BMC Research Notes, hydrogen peroxide effectively kills microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It also demolishes budding yeast systems, so you won’t have to clean your shower for a while longer.

ADVERTISEMENT

If You Have Carpet Stains, Check This Out

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
coffee-spill-56952
Twitter/@AbingdonCarpets
Twitter/@AbingdonCarpets
ADVERTISEMENT

Commercial carpet-cleaning products contain sodium percarbonate, which is a powdered form of hydrogen peroxide. That's why cleaners often have "Oxy" or “Oxi” in the name. Why don’t you skip the extra charge and use hydrogen peroxide instead?

ADVERTISEMENT

Before you start pouring, dilute the peroxide. Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Spray it on the dirty spot and wait for a couple of minutes, and then scrub the stain away. You might want to test it on a small area first.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kill Mold Without Using Harsh Chemicals

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning-mold-51100
Twitter/@NIOSH
Twitter/@NIOSH
ADVERTISEMENT

Mold can develop within 24 hours. Leaving it unattended can result in respiratory illnesses; it's a hazard to those with allergies. While it’s important to kill mold quickly, most people don’t want to spray chemicals everywhere. Here’s a way to eradicate mold without those dangerous cleaners.

ADVERTISEMENT

Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle. Saturate the mold-infected walls with the solution, and leave it there for ten minutes. Over time, the anti-fungal liquid will destroy the organisms. After ten minutes pass, scrub the area to remove all the stains. Then wipe the surface to dislodge any remaining mold stains.

ADVERTISEMENT

Finally, An Easy Way To Clean Your Retainer Or Mouthguard

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
How-To-Clean-Retainers-and-Night-Guards-0-53-screenshot-78676
YouTube/Teeth Talk Girl
YouTube/Teeth Talk Girl
ADVERTISEMENT

That tiny plastic mold that you have to stuff into your mouth every night is hard to keep clean. But you can clean your retainer for little-to-no money by using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water.

ADVERTISEMENT

Place your retainer into a jar and submerge it in water. Add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a sprinkle of baking soda. Leave the retainer in there for about ten minutes. Afterward, take it out and rinse all the residue off. Make sure to rinse your retainer thoroughly before popping it back in your mouth.

ADVERTISEMENT

Here's How To Clean Your Toothbrushes

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
toothbrush-26516
Pinterest/@thesavvycouple
Pinterest/@thesavvycouple
ADVERTISEMENT

Have you ever thought about how many germs gather on your toothbrushes? The reality is that they attract plenty of bacteria, and yet most people never clean their toothbrushes. According to the Children's Oral Health Institute, hydrogen peroxide is a safe method of disinfecting your child’s toothbrushes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a cup, and place your toothbrushes into it bristles-down. Leave the toothbrushes in there until the liquid stops bubbling. Afterward, rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before use. Another method is to swish your toothbrush through a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide before use.