Spills, mystery stains and everyday messes always seem to show up at the worst possible moment — usually right when you realize you’re out of the cleaner you actually need. Before making a store run, take a look in the laundry room.
Laundry detergent is designed to break down dirt, oils and grime, which means it can do far more than wash clothes. In a pinch, that bottle beside your washer can help tackle messes all around the house — if you know where to use it.
What Can Laundry Detergent Clean Besides Clothes?
Laundry detergent can clean carpets, grout, makeup brushes, patio furniture, tile floors, walls, upholstered furniture, car interiors, kids’ toys and countertops — basically anywhere dirt, oil or grime needs to be lifted off a washable surface. The reason it works so widely comes down to chemistry.
Detergent contains surfactants, which Irina Ganopolsky of Arm & Hammer described as “specialized molecules designed to break up dirt and oil so they can be rinsed away with water,” according to MarthaStewart.com. That’s the same action that pulls stains out of a shirt, and it transfers to most hard and soft surfaces in your home.
The trick is matching the detergent to the job. A gentle, low-suds, fragrance-free formula with fewer chemical additives is the most flexible option, and it’s the safest choice when you’re cleaning something other than laundry.
Powdered detergent tends to outperform liquid on textured surfaces like grout, while liquid is easier to dilute for spray bottles, mop buckets and spot-cleaning. Always test a small, hidden area first before going after a visible stain.
How Do You Use Laundry Detergent on Carpet Stains?
To spot-clean carpet, blot the stain with plain water first, then blot again with a mixture of water and a spoonful of low-suds detergent. Afterward, go back over the area with clean water to remove any leftover soap. Skipping that final rinse is often what leaves carpet stiff or causes it to attract dirt later.
Can You Use Detergent in a Carpet Cleaning Machine?
Yes. If you’re out of carpet cleaning solution, a small amount of laundry detergent can work as a substitute. Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids, told Southern Living to add about 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent to the machine’s solution container and fill the rest with water before using it normally.
Can Laundry Detergent Remove Furniture Stains?
Laundry detergent can help spot-clean many upholstered furniture stains. Mix a few drops of mild detergent into warm water and gently blot the stain with a microfiber cloth rather than scrubbing. Finish by blotting with clean water to remove residue. This works on most fabrics but should be avoided on leather furniture.
Does Laundry Detergent Work on Grout?
Yes. Mixing detergent with water creates an effective cleaner for dirty grout lines. Use a toothbrush for smaller areas or a stiff scrub brush for larger tiled spaces. Powder detergent often works especially well because it clings to grout longer than liquid formulas.
Can Detergent Clean Patio Furniture and Concrete?
Laundry detergent works well for removing everyday dirt and grime from outdoor furniture, especially plastic surfaces and washable cushion covers. Removable covers can often go directly into the washing machine. The same detergent-and-water solution can help clean patios and driveways, although it won’t remove deep or old concrete stains.
Can Laundry Detergent Replace a Multi-Purpose Cleaner?
In some cases, yes. A drop of liquid detergent mixed into a spray bottle of water can work as a substitute for general cleaning sprays. It can be used on many washable surfaces, including laminate, quartz and granite countertops, along with plastic and upholstery.
Can You Mop Floors With Laundry Detergent?
Yes, but only certain types of floors. Add one tablespoon of liquid detergent to a gallon of water and use it on tile, linoleum or vinyl flooring. Avoid hardwood and natural stone floors, which can be damaged or left with residue.
Is Detergent Safe to Use on Walls?
Laundry detergent can help lift fingerprints and grime from painted walls. Add a tablespoon to a bucket of warm water and gently wipe the wall rather than scrubbing. Follow with a damp cloth afterward to remove leftover residue and help protect the paint finish.
Can You Clean Makeup Brushes With Laundry Detergent?
Yes. Makeup brushes collect bacteria, dead skin, oils and product buildup over time. Swirl brushes through a bowl of diluted detergent and water, rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry before using them again.
Can Laundry Detergent Clean Kids’ Toys?
Laundry detergent can help clean fabric and plastic toys in larger batches. Fill a sink with hot water, add a tablespoon of detergent and let toys soak before rinsing them thoroughly. This can be a useful backup if you run out of dish soap or toy cleaner.
Can You Use Laundry Detergent Inside a Car?
Yes, for certain surfaces. Diluted detergent works well for spot-cleaning plastic trim and cloth upholstery inside a vehicle. However, it’s better to stick with dedicated glass cleaner for windows and mirrors.
What Type of Detergent Works Best for Household Cleaning?
“Not every laundry detergent is created equal, but some are remarkably versatile, especially if you know they will rinse 100%,” Taylor Sutherland, president of Charlie’s Soap, told The Spruce. Detergents that rinse clean and produce fewer suds generally work best because they leave behind less residue.
What to Avoid When Cleaning With Laundry Detergent?
“Not every laundry detergent is created equal, but some are remarkably versatile, especially if you know they will rinse 100%,” Taylor Sutherland, president of Charlie’s Soap, told The Spruce. That rinse-clean quality is what separates a good substitute multi-purpose cleaner from one that leaves streaks or buildup.
Skip laundry detergent on natural stone like marble, hardwood floors, unfinished wood, leather and glass. Detergent can dull stone, swell or warp wood, dry out leather and leave streaks on glass — so for those surfaces, stick with cleaners formulated for the material.
The safest detergent to keep on hand for non-laundry jobs is low-suds (HE), fragrance free, clear in color and made with fewer chemical additives. Highly perfumed or heavily dyed formulas can leave residue or transfer color onto lighter surfaces.
Always do a spot check in a hidden area before tackling a visible stain, especially on fabric or porous materials.
When in doubt, dilute more than you think you need. Detergent is concentrated by design, and a little goes a long way once you’re outside the washing machine.
