7 ‘Unexpected’ Things You Can Clean with Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a powerful cleaning agent. But did you know that it can do much more than just clean your clothes? The stuff can be multifunctional in your household. For example, you can use both the liquid and powder version for your drain, oven or car. We have listed seven things that you can clean with laundry detergent.
1. Unclogging the drain
Is your drain clogged up? Don’t call a plumber just yet; try this trick first. Pour about 60 millilitres of laundry detergent into the sink and then (slowly) pour a litre of boiling water down the drain. The hot water and the liquid detergent work together to flush out the blockage. That saves you another visit from the plumber.
2. Making all-purpose cleaner
It is also perfectly fine to use laundry detergent to make all-purpose cleaner. To do this, mix 80 millilitres of bleach, 4.5 litres of water and a teaspoon of laundry detergent together. It works surprisingly well on walls, in the bathroom and on almost any other surface in the house.
3. Removing stains
When you think about it, it makes sense that the same stain-fighting properties that help clean your clothes, also work on upholstery and carpet. Apply powder detergent to a stain and rub it gently with a wet cloth to work the detergent into the stain. Wait five minutes, then wipe off the excess powder and repeat until the stain is gone.
4. Washing the car
Laundry detergent is ideal for cleaning the outside of the car. It removes dirt with ease. Makes sure to dilute the detergent fist. Just one tablespoon of laundry detergent per bucket of water should be enough. A solution that is too concentrated could damage the paintwork of your car, which is something we want to avoid! Of course, you can also use laundry detergent for the interior of the car, as described above.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.3% Inside!
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23.7% On top!
Mr Minit in Chartwell: Be wary
Hi all,
Just sharing my experience. I had the battery for my car key replaced in March 2025 at Mr. Minit in Chartwell. I was given a one‑year warranty, which seemed impressive at the time.
However, the battery stopped working early Mar 26. With the warranty card, I brought the key back to have it checked and replaced. What I didn’t realise was that the battery was *not* actually replaced. He only tested it with a meter. When I asked whether he had replaced the battery, he said “yes,” but that wasn’t true. He then said he had tested the battery level and there was no need to replace it. When I asked to see the meter, it showed the battery was in the green zone which means it was ok.
I was then advised that I might need to replace the entire key unit. I asked whether he had properly troubleshot the issue to confirm it was the battery and not the key itself. His reply was that he normally doesn’t do that, but I was a “special case.” That means, the warranty card was a misrepresentation and there was no real intention of replacing the battery when it was faulty.
After he finally replaced the battery with a new one, my key worked perfectly again.
**Lesson learned:**
Make sure you take a photo of your warranty card. I feel like the warranty is mostly for show — if I had lost it, I would have been charged another $20+ for a battery. Worst still, I would have to pay more to change the key unit unnecessarily.
Make sure you witness that they replace your old battery with a new one if it's still under warranty.
Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕
Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!
Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫
What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇
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