Laundry detergent: 8 incredible alternative uses for this versatile product
Laundry detergent is one of the products most of us have at home. Formulated with enzymes and surfactants, laundry detergent's "prime directive" is to remove dirt and stains from our clothes.
That said, laundry detergent can be very useful for "emergencies", ie. when you need to clean something but you don't have the specific cleaning products available.
So, how can you use laundry detergent for other cleaning chores? Well, check out the 8 suggestions below:
1. Garden furniture
Whatever material your garden furniture is made of, laundry detergent can be an excellent solution if you are in a hurry to clean it for an occassion and you don't have any specific product available at home. Prepare a solution with warm water and a little laundry detergent and apply it to your furniture using a cloth or brush. Rinse off thoroughly and air dry.
2. Children's toys
Hard or soft plastic or fabric children's toys can easily pick up dirt and bacteria; you can easily clean the former by immersing them in warm water and laundry soap, while the latter can be cleaned by scrubbing them with a soft cloth moistened in the same solution. Some fabric toys can also easily be washed in the washing machine.
3. Removing creases
You can also use laundry detergent to quickly remove creases from your clothes: fill a spray bottle with water and add a teaspoon of laundry detergent; spray this solution on the creased garment, shake out and smooth down (with your hands or a wieghted object). Repeat this operation until the fabric is completely smooth.
4. Dishes and cooking utensils
If you run out of dishwashing liquid, you can easily replace it with laundry detergent: use a very small amount to avoid too much foam being produced (as laundry detergent is highly concentrated).
5. Driveways
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Oil stains left by your car on the driveway can be very difficult to remove but you can get excellent results by using laundry detergent: pour a small amount on the area to be treated and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. Leave to act for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing away.
6. Blockages
Sissel Karlsen/Wikimedia Commons
A blocked drain can be a real nuisance, but thanks to laundry detergent, you can easily solve this problem (if it's not too severe). Pour 50ml of laundry detergent down the drain and wait 15-20 minutes before adding plenty of boiling water. Double the dose of laundry detergent used to carry out the same operation for the toilet.
7. Floors
Have you run out of floor detergent? Replace this with laundry detergent: add half a capful to the bucket of water and your floors will be as clean as if you used the regular floor detergent.
8. Hands
Finally, laundry detergent is perfect as an alternative to liquid hand soap. Like dish detergent, laundry detergent is also perfect for removing stains, even stubborn ones. Avoid using laundry detergent on your skin if it is sensitive and moisturize your hands thoroughly afterwards.