I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: my readers come up with some of the best ideas around! For example, I recently received an email from OGT reader DrewRose telling me about their experiments with one of my homemade cleaners, and I was so inspired by it that it became the basis for today’s blog post!
This reader told me about some new and unexpected ways that they put my Dawn and vinegar to good use in their backyard. It got my wheels turning about new ways to put this powerful cleaner to work all around the house! So I added a few ideas of my own to the list, and now I’m ready to share them with you!
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But before we get to those new and innovative uses. I thought it might be helpful to offer a quick refresher about what this cleaner is, how it works, and how to use it. So let’s get started, shall we? :-)
How Do You Make It?
When it comes to homemade cleaners, it doesn’t get much simpler than this one! Here’s what goes into it:
- 1 part Dawn dish soap (or homemade dish soap)
- 1 part white vinegar
All you have to do is heat the vinegar up with your microwave, then pour the Dawn and vinegar into a spray bottle, and give it a swirl to mix it up. That’s it!
(Speaking of spray bottles—the Dawn and vinegar formula is one of 7 cleaning recipes featured in this set of spray bottles labels in my shop. Not only are they designed to look great on my favorite amber glass spray bottles, but the labels feature both the name of the cleaner and the recipe, which saves you the trouble of looking it up again when you run out!)
How Does It Work?
The combination of dish soap and vinegar is highly effective for a few different reasons. First, both ingredients are excellent at dissolving tough grime. However, vinegar alone will simply run off of most surfaces, while dish soap is too thick to use as a spray. But when you mix them together, you get an effective, sprayable cleaner that sticks to any surface!
Just spray it on, let it sit for a while, scrub lightly, then rinse. That’s all there is to it, and you’ll be amazed at the results every time!
How Do You Use It?
I typically put this cleaner in a spray bottle as described above, but that’s not the only way you can use it. Some people prefer to keep some in a dish wand like this one so it’s always at the ready!
And one thing worth noting about this particular cleaner is that it’s both thick and sudsy . It’s best to use it on surfaces you can easily spray off, like the walls of your tub or shower. If you want to use it on other, less rinsable surfaces, I suggest adding more vinegar to your cleaner. A thinner formula (around 1 part Dawn to 6 parts vinegar) will be much easier to rinse clean, and will work best for the new uses I’ve listed below!
1. Patio Furniture
Spray the cleaner onto patio furniture like chairs, tables, the exterior of your grill, and even your patio or deck itself. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse everything well with your hose.
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2. Planters
Get your planters cleaned up before spring planting comes around. Just spray the cleaner all over them, let is sit for a while, then rinse well with your hose. (It’s best to do this when the planters are empty, because if any of the cleaner were to splash onto your flowers or plants, the vinegar would likely kill them.)
3. Garage Door
Is your garage door looking a bit grungy? Spray it down with the Dawn and vinegar cleaner, then rinse well with your garden hose or a power washer.
4. Sinks
Use the cleaner to dissolve gunk, mineral deposits, and soap scum in the bottom of your sink. Just spray it on, let it sit, then use a wet sponge to wipe it clean. No scrubbing required!
5. Toilets
Have hard water stains or rusty deposits in your toilet bowl? This cleaner will make short work of them! Turn off the water to your toilet, flush the remaining water out, then spray the cleaner liberally inside the bowl. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then scrub with your toilet brush. Turn the water back on and flush the toilet a few times to rinse.
6. Bathroom Mildew
No matter where mildew is lurking in your bathroom, you can use this cleaner to cut through it. Spray it onto your shower curtain liner, tile surfaces, or the bottom of your bathtub! Rinse well, and wave goodbye to unsightly mildew.
7. Fridge
Use the thinned out Dawn and vinegar cleaner to give the interior and exterior of your fridge a much needed facelift! It’s great at breaking up those though, sticky messes that collect on your fridges shelves and bins. (But I would not recommend using this cleaner on the exterior of a stainless steel fridge, as it could leave splotchy marks on the finish.)
8. Anything With Hard Water Stains
If you live in an area with hard water, then you’re already intimately familiar with hard water stains on your faucets and tubs. The vinegar in this cleaner makes it excellent for dissolving those mineral deposits. You can even use it to cut through hard water stains on your windows! Just let the cleaner sit on hard water stains for a while, then rinse clean.
9. Trash Cans
Spray this cleaner liberally into the bottom of your kitchen or outdoor garbage can. Let it sit, then rinse well with your hose. It’s the easiest way to take care of grimy residue and unpleasant odors!
One more thing: if you’re ever in doubt about what surfaces you should use this cleaner on, do a spot test first. Apply a bit of the cleaner to an inconspicuous area, wait a minute or two, then rinse it off. Check for discoloration, and if you don’t see any, you should be good to go!
Have you tried cleaning anything with Dawn and vinegar yet?
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Hi, I’m Jillee!
I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!
Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!
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FAQs
9 Surprising Things You Can Clean With Dawn And Vinegar? ›
Dish soap and vinegar work wonders for that extra smudge-cutting and cleaning mixture. Mix in a spray bottle 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 2 1/2 cups of water, plus 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap.
What is the recipe for vinegar and Dawn cleaning solution? ›Dish soap and vinegar work wonders for that extra smudge-cutting and cleaning mixture. Mix in a spray bottle 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 2 1/2 cups of water, plus 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap.
What should not be cleaned with vinegar? ›- Dishwashers. Thinking of using vinegar to clean a dishwasher? ...
- Stone countertops. ...
- Steam irons. ...
- Hardwood floors. ...
- Stone flooring. ...
- Washing machines. ...
- TV, tablet and smartphone screens. ...
- Mirrors.
Spray on your tub and shower walls, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing away. This will even take care of the bathtub ring. Let it sit on your shower floor overnight and scrub the gunk away in the morning.
What happens when you mix Dawn dish soap and vinegar? ›“Vinegar is a good cleaner because it's acidic, but when you add dishwashing liquid/dish soap to it (which is a base or neutral) - you neutralise the vinegar. You take away the very thing that makes it work well. “The dishwashing liquid works that well on its own.
How do you make cleaning solution with vinegar baking soda and dawn? ›Tired of stinky, retail cleaners? Try this: Vinegar Cleaner: 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp Dawn dish soap 1 tbsp white vinegar Directions: Fill spray bottle with water. Add Dawn. Add baking soda.
Do you have to rinse after cleaning with vinegar? ›Rinsing is not necessary! If you're simply using a vinegar and water solution to wipe and disinfect, you won't need to rinse. However, if there's also plenty of dirt and grime you're wiping away, you may also want to rinse with some extra water.
Will vinegar damage vinyl floors? ›Distilled white vinegar is a natural degreaser, disinfectant, and cleaner that is safe to use on all kinds of surfaces, including vinyl floors. The acidic compounds in white vinegar break down buildup and remove dirt without harming your floor's finish.
What does vinegar do for laundry? ›Vinegar works by loosening zinc salts or aluminum chloride, which means that dirt won't stick to your clothing. In addition to this, vinegar has antibacterial properties. Washing your clothing with vinegar will leave your clothes odorless — and no, they won't smell like vinegar.
Why stay away from Dawn dish soap? ›Is Dawn Soap Toxic? Yes, Dawn Dish Soap is toxic because it contains harmful ingredients like Triclosan, 1,4-dioxane, synthetic dye, fragrance, and the dreaded methylisothiazolinone. These ingredients can cause mild to severe health conditions like nerve and liver damage, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
Why is blue dawn different? ›
Blue Dawn® Compared to Other Dishwashing Liquids
Some have more preservatives, others more fragrance. Cheap brands will usually have more preservative ingredients.
Hot Water and Dish Soap
When the water is extremely hot, but not boiling, pour into the toilet carefully. Wait for 10-15 minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog. Once you do so, the toilet will unclog and flush freely.
After trying different commercial cleaners, we decided to mix one part Dawn dish soap and to two parts white vinegar, which I had on hand, in a bucket and mopped the floor with the soapy mixture. How it actually worked: The combo was a winner and brought the floor (almost) back to its original glory.
How long do you leave Dawn and vinegar on? ›This Dawn & vinegar cleaner will cut through soap scum, clean sinks, glass shower doors and also the toilet bowl. Just spritz it on, scrub and rinse. For tough soap scum build-up, spray the mixture on and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse.
How do you clean a shower with Dawn? ›Dawn dish soap and vinegar – Mix equal parts of vinegar and blue Dawn dish soap into a spray bottle. Run the shower for a few minutes on hot to heat up the shower space. Spray to coat the surface of the shower walls evenly with the mixture. Let sit for 5 minutes then use a damp cleaning rag to wipe away.
What is the best homemade shower cleaner? ›1 cup white vinegar. ⅓ cup washing up liquid. 8 drops essential oil of your choice (we like to use peppermint). This is to leave your bathroom smelling nice after the vinegar smell has faded.
Can you mix Pine Sol and Dawn dish soap? ›A: We do not recommend mixing any Pine-Sol® product with other cleaning products or chemicals. Mixing cleaners can result in the release of hazardous gases.
How do you clean with hydrogen peroxide baking soda and dawn? ›Mix together two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of dish soap. Spread the mixture over any stain; let it sit for a bit and then launder as directed.
Why put vinegar on your floor? ›Vinegar's power to clean lies in its acidity. With a pH of around 2.5, vinegar is effective at dissolving grime and mineral deposits like hard water and rust stains.
Can you mop floors with vinegar? ›Create a mopping solution of ½ cup of vinegar and one gallon of warm water. Proper dilution is important, since vinegar's acidic, abrasive properties can have a stronger effect on some materials than others—tile being one of those. When mopping, less is more; make sure to wring out your mop thoroughly after each dip.
What happens if you use vinegar and laundry detergent together? ›
Before going further, we have to warn you: adding vinegar or baking soda to the wash along with your laundry detergent increases the risk of poorer cleaning performance, as detergents are optimized for a specific pH level, which is altered by the presence of these two household additives in the wash.
Does vinegar clean grout? ›Cleaning Grout with Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a safe, natural cleaner and disinfectant you can use all around the house. Pour or spray undiluted vinegar onto your grout and let it sit for 10 minutes before using a toothbrush, scrubbing in a circular motion. Next, rinse away the dirt and mildew.
One way to clean grout without scrubbing is by mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and mix into a paste. Follow with a teaspoon of dish soap. Apply the mixture to your floor grout and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
What does vinegar do to wood? ›Because vinegar is acidic, it can corrode wood and stone, it can destroy wax, kill plants, and cause other damage.
Can I put vinegar in the detergent dispenser? ›If you have automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensers, place distilled white vinegar in the dispensers to dissolve any residue buildup that may limit performance. Use vinegar to clean more frequently to help freshen a front load washer with musty odors.
How do you deodorize laundry with vinegar? ›Using white vinegar to get rid of odors
Dr. Karen recommends creating a mixture of 1/4 of white vinegar and 3/4 of cold water before soaking your clothes in the solution overnight. In the morning, the items are ready to go and 'rendered scentless. '
Dish soap has been shown to kill other lawn insects as well, and even dries out and kills fungus in lawns. Some other common garden pests that a dish soap kills include: Fleas. Grasshoppers.
Is it OK to put dish soap in the toilet? ›As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner. Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl.
Can you use Dawn to mop floors? ›Mop up dirty vinyl, linoleum, or tile floors.
You can mop these types of floors with a simple solution of one to two tablespoons of Dawn and a gallon of warm water. Your floor will look good in no time!
To clean the toilet tank, you'll want to use a mild cleaner such as dish soap or a window cleaner with a toilet brush and scrub the inside of the toilet of any stains and rust you find. Avoid using heavy-duty toilet cleaners, as this may ruin the components of the toilet.
Does Dawn clean bathtubs? ›
That's right: Grab your dish soap and a broom, and you might be as pleasantly surprised as we were to learn that Dawn is apparently just as effective at banishing bathtub scum as it is at removing all that grime and grease from your dishes and pans.
Which Dawn is the strongest? ›Your toughest everyday messes are no match for Dawn Platinum Heavy-Duty degreasing dishwashing liquid dish soap. With 4 times MORE Grease Cleaning Power per drop, Dawn Platinum is our best dish detergent.
What does putting a bar of soap in toilet tank do? ›One way to prolong the time between cleanings is to put something directly in the tank that will wash away the crud, remove stains, and keep mold from building up.
Can Dawn unclog a shower drain? ›Homemade drain cleaner can break up even the toughest clogs in your sink. Baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dish soap along with boiling water can safely unclog a drain. Baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dish soap along with boiling water can safely unclog a drain.
Will vinegar dissolve toilet paper? ›Use Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Hot Water
Just like with clogged kitchen sinks, these three products can work wonders when dealing with clogged toilets.
Oils such as Lavender, Wild orange, Lemon, Tea Tree, Pine, and Peppermint have effective cleaning properties and will leave your home smelling good. Grapefruit, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Thyme essential oils in your mop water will effectively clean your floors, leaving a pleasant smell in your home.
What is the ratio of Dawn to vinegar for cleaning? ›Dish soap and vinegar work wonders for that extra smudge-cutting and cleaning mixture. Mix in a spray bottle 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 2 1/2 cups of water, plus 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap.
How do you make homemade cleaner with Dawn and vinegar? ›Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures. After spraying on the fixture, rub and wipe it with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching.
How do hotels keep glass shower doors clean? ›In order to avoid these problems, hotels often use a shower filter that removes these minerals from the water. However, you can also clean your shower door regularly with a vinegar solution to help remove any built-up deposits.
How do you remove stubborn hard water stains from shower doors? ›- Soak Glass in White Vinegar.
- Wipe Down Shower Door.
- Rinse With Distilled Water.
- Check Your Water Quality.
- Wipe Down Glass After Use.
What is the fastest way to clean a glass shower door? ›
Ammonia can help give glass shower doors a streak-free finish. Combine 2 tablespoons ammonia with 2 quarts of warm distilled water in a large spray bottle. Spray the door and wait three minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Does cleaning vinegar and Dawn really work? ›First, both ingredients are excellent at dissolving tough grime. However, vinegar alone will simply run off of most surfaces, while dish soap is too thick to use as a spray. But when you mix them together, you get an effective, sprayable cleaner that sticks to any surface!
How to get rid of fruit flies with white vinegar and dish soap? ›Vinegar and dish soap trap
If you find your fruit flies impervious to your plastic wrap or paper cone traps, try adding three drops of dish soap to a bowl of vinegar and leave it uncovered. The soap cuts the surface tension of the vinegar so the flies will sink and drown.
There are 4 simple ingredients you can safely use to clean away mold in your home: white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent or soap.
How do you clean a shower with Dawn and vinegar? ›Dawn dish soap and vinegar – Mix equal parts of vinegar and blue Dawn dish soap into a spray bottle. Run the shower for a few minutes on hot to heat up the shower space. Spray to coat the surface of the shower walls evenly with the mixture. Let sit for 5 minutes then use a damp cleaning rag to wipe away.
What are the 5 basic ingredients making a homemade cleaning solution? ›- 2 cups water.
- 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar.
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 70% concentration.
- 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)
To create an all-purpose cleaner for windows, counters, and kitchen fixtures: Combine 1/4 cup cleaning vinegar and 2 1/2 cups water in a spray bottle. Add 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Shake well to mix and label the bottle. To use, lightly spray the soiled surfaces and wipe away grime with a lint-free cloth.
What is the simplest cleaner of all? ›- WATER: Water is the simplest cleaning agent and some form of dirt will be dissolved by it, but. ...
- DETERGENT: Detergents are those cleaning agents, which contain significant quantities of a group of. ...
- ABRASIVES. ...
- DEGREASING AGENTS. ...
- ACIDS AND TOILET CLEANSERS. ...
- ALKALIS:
The reason? Dawn contains petroleum. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works. Vinegar removes residue and imparts shine.
What are the tiny black flying bugs in my house? ›Fungus Gnats: If the flies are small, black, and flying around windows or potted plants; then they are probably fungus gnats. These flies are the most common small fly in houses. They are small, delicate black flies that are weak flyers and often collect at windows.
What do flies hate? ›
Flies hate the smell of essential oils like lemon grass, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus – put a few drops in a spray bottle and use around the house daily. They also hate the smell of camphor (a traditional moth deterrent) which you can buy online, cloves and cinnamon.