That bottle in your laundry room does far more than wash clothes. When a stain hits at the worst possible moment, laundry detergent can stand in for cleaners you don’t have and on surfaces you would never expect. The reason comes down to chemistry. Laundry detergent contains surfactants, specialized molecules designed to break up dirt and oil so they can be rinsed away with water. It’s the same action that lifts grease from a shirt, and it’s why just a few drops can rescue a couch cushion, a tile floor, or a set of makeup brushes. Here are some of the most useful ways laundry detergent can help around the house:
- • Carpet stains: Blot with water first, then use a mixture of water and a small spoonful of low-suds detergent. Rinse the area afterward to avoid sticky residue. It can also work in carpet-cleaning machines.
- • Grout: Mix detergent with water and scrub with a toothbrush for smaller areas or a larger brush for tile floors. Powder detergent often works best because it clings better.
- • Makeup brushes: Brushes collect bacteria, oils, sweat and dead skin. Swirl them in a bowl of gentle detergent and water, rinse well and let them air dry.
- • Outdoor patio furniture: Detergent cuts through dirt and outdoor grime on plastic furniture. Removable cushion covers can often go straight into the washing machine.
- • Floors: Add 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent to a gallon of water for tile, linoleum and vinyl floors. Skip hardwood and natural stone.
- • Walls: Mix 1 tablespoon of detergent into a bucket of warm water and wipe gently to avoid damaging paint. Follow with a damp cloth to remove residue.
- • Furniture stains: A few drops of mild detergent in warm water can help spot-clean upholstery when blotted with a microfiber cloth. Avoid using it on leather.
- • Car interiors: Works on plastic trim and cloth upholstery for quick spot cleaning. Keep glass cleaner reserved for windows.
- • Countertops: A drop of detergent in a spray bottle filled with water can stand in for multi-purpose cleaner on laminate, quartz and granite. Avoid marble and other natural stone surfaces.
