6 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean With Shampoo, Cleaners Say

If you’re in a pinch, there’s an unexpected hair product you can use to clean things around the house: shampoo. In the same way that it lifts built-up dirt and grease from hair, shampoo can be used to clean grimy surfaces and treat grease stains.

Whether it’s dirty makeup brushes, dust-covered indoor plants, or a dull-looking chrome faucet, the pros say shampoo provides a quick and easy fix. To stay on the safe side, they recommend using baby shampoo for cleaning, which is typically free from dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals. And while experts don’t recommend using shampoo for heavy-duty cleaning, they say it’s a great solution for quick, everyday cleaning tasks.

Read on to learn about the six things in your home you can actually clean with shampoo.

Grease Stains on Clothes and Upholstered Furniture

Shampoo works well as a quick substitute for cleaning greasy food stains on clothes or furniture since it’s designed to break down hair oils, says Kathy Turley, marketing director at Home Clean Heroes.

The expert recommends adding a small amount of shampoo to a clean cloth, dampening it with water, then dabbing—but not scrubbing—the stain until the grease has lifted. If needed, you can repeat the process until the stubborn stain is gone.

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Area Rugs and Carpets

If you don’t have a specialized carpet cleaner on hand, use shampoo to remove dirt and treat small stains on area rugs and wall-to-wall carpets. Petya Holevich, house cleaning expert and supervisor at Fantastic Services, says that while shampoo shouldn’t be used for heavy-duty cleaning, it’s effective when you’re in a pinch because it’s essentially a mild detergent designed to break down oils, sweat, and buildup without being too harsh.

“When you’re in a pinch, you can dilute a small amount of shampoo in warm water, apply it sparingly to the stained area and gently blot it with a clean cloth before rinsing it with water,” Holevich says.

The cleaning pro explains that shampoo contains surfactants that lower the surface tension of water so that it gets into fibers more easily to remove grime and grease. Additionally, many shampoos are formulated with conditioning agents that leave surfaces looking refreshed instead of dull.

Tile and Linoleum Flooring

For an added boost, Turley recommends adding a couple of drops of shampoo to water when you are mopping tile or linoleum flooring. The expert says it provides an extra boost that helps lift dirt and grime when you need a quick fix.

Indoor Plant Leaves

If you notice a layer of dust on indoor plant leaves, Turley recommends using shampoo to restore their luster. Add a couple of drops of shampoo to a spray bottle with water, spray the leaves, then gently wipe away the dust using a clean microfiber cloth.

The expert notes there’s an added bonus to this cleaning hack: it can help keep pesky bugs away from your indoor plants.

Stainless Steel and Chrome

Shampoo works wonders on dull and dirty stainless steel and chrome surfaces. Whether it’s a sink or kitchen faucet, use Turley’s cleaning hack and remove fingerprints, water spots, and soap scum with a mixture of shampoo and water.

Makeup and Hair Brushes

Dirt and grease build up on makeup and hair brushes over time and shampoo provides an effective way to cut through the grime.

“For makeup brushes especially, I recommend using a baby shampoo, since baby shampoo is specially formulated for a baby’s delicate skin and not to irritate their eyes, so you know it will be gentle on sensitive skin,” Turley says.

For both types of brushes, she recommends washing or swirling them in a mixture of shampoo diluted with water, then rinsing them clean with water and letting them air dry.