Low on funds? Have you ever used dish detergent as your washing liquid?

@cream97 (29087)
United States
August 2, 2009 11:41am CST
I have. I tried that this year. In the past I would add some Antibacterial dish detergent liquid in my clothes as it is washing. This added more suds and bubbles. But, now, when we are low on funds, we will buy Dawn Dish Detergent to wash our clothes in. It works too. And it makes the clothes smell very fresh and clean. I never knew the dish washing liquid could bring such great results. But, I love it. Someone told my spouse about this idea and he has tried it. But we still use regular liquid detergent when we can afford it. The Sun Bleach Sunsensations smells so good. It smells very sweet and uplifting. Have you ever used an cheaper alternative to washing your clothes before?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@relundad (2310)
• United States
2 Aug 09
I have never had to resort to using an alternative for detergent. However it seems that its just a different form of soap, so it seems likely that it would be able to serve the purpose of cleaning something.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes, I feel the same way. Once I tried it, I realized it acted as if I was using washing liquid.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 09
No I have never used dish detergent as laundry soap but I have used it to clean my floors. It works really well. I have read sites where people make their own laundry soap really cheap though. I am sure you can find it online. They use soap, washing soda, and borax.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Hi, cindy! I also have used it to clean my floor with too. The only thing that I disliked about it is the suds. It is so much of suds that is in the bucket until it is funny. And it is also neat that people make their own soaps... I would love the smell of a rose soap or a cherry smelling soap..
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
13 Aug 09
There have been a few times that I've forgotten to buy laundry soap or have run out when I really needed it and I've had to use dishsoap in a pinch. I also use Dawn and love it. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
14 Aug 09
Hey, you know, that's a very good idea! Thanks for the tip, girl! Did you know that you can also use Palmolive dish detergent to wash your hair? It helps in a pinch if you run out of shampoo. Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@yogambal_64 (1014)
• India
3 Aug 09
I have never tried this method of washing cloths with dish detergent, but I have a doubt if the texture of the cloth will be able to withstand the dish detergent, may be the cloth may get worn out or discolored soon, We can use the cloth detergent powder for cleaning dishes. We get low cost detergent soaps and powder to wash cloths too now a days.
@jimntam (93)
• United States
13 Aug 09
This brings back memories. I have not only used dish soap to wash my clothes, but I've also used laundry soap to do my dishes. I can remember using Ivory bar soap to wash our socks back before I had a washing machine and couldn't afford to go to the laundry mat. I've used bar soap to wash my hair before as well. Not recommended though.
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
3 Aug 09
Well i have never tried that and i doubt the effects yea .
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes, I've done that a time or two. We've even eaten MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat - military) when we were low in food and used the toilet paper that comes with the packages. Using dish detergent is ok, after all, it is detergent, it cleans so it'll work for clothes. You do what you have to do to survive.
@suzzy3 (8341)
2 Aug 09
What a good idea I would have never thought of this myself.I will give that a go myself and see how it goes.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Yes I have and I love the results. I use Dawn dish soap as a spot remover because it really gets the stains out. For work clothes I've always used dish soap as an additive to get all the grimmy stuff out of the clothes. I have used some cheaper dish soap before when low in funds and found it works just fine and don't have to use as much. There is a saying that you should change brands of soap to wash the soap residue out of your clothes. Another thing I've done to conserve is use 1/2 the amount of any ditergent and put in 1/2 cup of viniger. Viniger is a wonderful cleaner on it's own and found it keeps my towels and sheets fresh smelling longer so less wash to do there too.
@ledydien (85)
• Indonesia
3 Aug 09
I have and always. I've used it since 3 months ago always. I used to combined it with my liquid detergent. I like to combine it, because it'll get more clean and added more suds n bubbles... and it smells really nice n fresh.
@tutor19us (455)
• India
3 Aug 09
No, never. I always have 2 separate liquids/detergent powder for washing clothes and utensils. I may use the one used to wash clothes to clean utensils but not vice versa.