At this point, many of us have probably done laundry in our sleep, it’s just something that becomes second nature. Clothes go in, detergent is casually dumped somewhere in the mass of clothes, and, hit button, done. If you’re feeling fancy, add some fabric softener. But that’s the extent of what we think about it. Nothing elaborate, nothing we ever think about.
So when someone mentioned the concept of putting Dawn soap—the actual blue stuff that you would scrub burnt spaghetti from pots with—into my washing machine? I really thought he was joking or confused. It sounds kind of ridiculous, right? But evidently… not so much. There are really good reasons it works, and once I researched it, I was surprised too.
Facebook user Shara-Lynn Morrison explained, “A friend of mine suggested that I use a drizzle of Dawn dish soap in the washing machine. She said she does it all the time and loves it! She also said it’s not recommended for those HE (High Efficiency) washers. Well I did laundry yesterday and y’all, I absolutely love the results! The whites are definitely whiter, stains are gone, the clothes have an even cleaner smell, and my washer inside is always shining clean! I’m on my second little bottle of this and I have to say I’m sad I didn’t know about it sooner but will never do laundry without it again!!!”
According to wikiHow, this information checks out. “To help cut down on costs, some people have found that using liquid dish soap can be a good replacement,” they explain. “Dish soap can cost much less than laundry detergent and can clean your clothes just as well. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you will use a lot less dish liquid than laundry detergent. Adding too much dish soap will cause your washing machine to overflow with bubbles. Other than this, washing your clothes with dish liquid won’t be any different than using laundry detergent.”
So, apparently – and this surprised me a little bit – using a touch of Dawn dish soap in your laundry isn’t just an internet myth. It’s real and it works! Not just for clothes with odd mystery stains but even for the toughest stains – oil, grease, grass – all the gross stuff. I suppose it makes sense because Dawn is designed to break down grease.
But even weirder—or cooler?—is that it not only helps your clothes but also can help your washing machine reset; a little. Over time laundry detergent, dirty water and who who knows what else actually builds up in the machine, which: okay not great, and can lead to reduced performance and less than ideal smells. A small amount—small emphasis on small—of Dawn can also assist in breaking that down, keeping things running cleaner.
That said, you can’t just slather it in there and hope for the best. You’ve got to be cautious with it and do it correctly otherwise you will have WAY too many suds and a washing machine that thinks it’s in a bubble bath.
Here are the steps to follow when using Dawn dish soap in your washing machine:
Check your washing machine: Before you begin, make sure that your washing machine is suitable for using dish soap. Some machines may not be compatible. I can never understand people who never check the manufacturer’s instructions. I never in my life purchased some kind of appliances and didn’t read its instructions. But who am I kidding. For instance, my husband never ever cares about instructions. He thinks he’ll magically understand how to use an appliance without even touching instructions. But it’s important to read instructions for your own sake. To avoid damaging the washing machine and use the right solutions for it. So, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional if you’re not sure.
Choose the right amount of Dawn. The amount you use depends on your load size and how dirty your clothes are. As a general rule, use about one tablespoon for a small load. For a larger load, use up to two tablespoons. Using too much Dawn can create too many suds. This can cause problems for your washing machine, so be sure to use the recommended amount.
Add the Dawn to the washing machine: Pour the recommended amount of Dawn dish soap directly into the washing machine. Be careful not to spill any onto your clothes or the machine itself.
Add your clothes: Once you have added the Dawn to the machine, add your clothes and start the wash cycle as you normally would.
Rinse thoroughly: After the wash cycle is complete, make sure to rinse your clothes thoroughly to remove any leftover soap residue. This will ensure that your clothes come out clean and fresh.
Don’t spray half the bottle of Dawn directly onto your favorite shirt and. That’s not how this works. Too much Dawn can ruin the clothes, whether it stains them or is too harsh on the fabric. And for sure, don’t just pour it directly on the clothes unless you like mystery blotches on everything.
If you are going to try this , then follow the rules–like actually follow the rules. A small amount changes everything, and when you follow the system, it works better than you would expect. Grease, dirt, whatever–it cuts through everything.
Anyway, that’s it. Laundry detergent is expensive, so if a few drops of dish soap can accomplish the same thing without ruining my clothes, I’m game.
