5 Creative Ways To Use Dish Soap This Summer

If you or a pet are sprayed by a skunk, skip the tomato juice bath (which can be costly, messy, and impractical). Washing in scented dish soap will also remove the bad smell.

Because dish soap is a great de-greaser, it will also remove oil from your skin and nails. Prep your fingers or toes for a beach-worthy mani or pedi by soaking them for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water and dish soap. Removing the excess oil from your skin and nails will allow the nail polish to better adhere to your nails.

Don't like the idea of chemical-based weed control? Spray a combination of water, an all-natural dish soap, vinegar, and salt on pesky weeds instead (the dish soap acts as a binder that allows the weed-killing ingredients to stick to weeds leaves and stems).

Getting the prefect, beachy waves can leave a build-up of styling products in your hair. Don't spend money on a special clarifying shampoo. Washing your hair with dish soap on occasion will remove oil and build up just as effectively — but do this sparingly, as overuse can dry or damage the hair and scalp.

If you have fruit flies around your kitchen, set a trap by leaving shallow bowls of fruit-scented dish soap out on the counter. The smell will attract the flies, and once their wings are coated in the soap they won't be able to fly away. 

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.