Did you know that the Irish Spring Soap, known for its fresh scent and invigorating clean, has a multitude of surprising uses beyond the bathroom?
Here are unexpected ways you can utilize it around your home. From repelling pests in your garden to freshening up stinky shoes, this iconic green soap is about to become your new favorite household hack.
1. Repel Pests in the Garden
The strong scent of Irish Spring soap is unpleasant to many common garden pests like deer, rabbits, and squirrels. To use it as a repellent, slice the soap into small cubes and place them in mesh bags or old pantyhose.
Hang these bags around your garden or tie them to stakes near vulnerable plants. The scent will help deter these animals from snacking on your precious vegetables and flowers.
2. Prevent Mice & Insects
Irish Spring soap can also be used to deter mice and insects from entering your home. Grate a bar of soap and sprinkle the shavings near entry points, in basements, attics, or anywhere you’ve seen evidence of these pests.
The strong smell will make these areas less inviting to them.
3. Freshen Smelly Shoes
If you have shoes that are a bit on the smelly side, place a bar of Irish Spring soap inside each shoe overnight. The soap will absorb the odor, leaving your shoes smelling fresh and clean.
4. Lubricate Squeaky Hinges
Irish Spring soap can be used as a temporary lubricant for squeaky hinges. Rub the bar of soap directly onto the hinge and work it back and forth a few times. The soap will help reduce friction and quiet the squeak.
5. Soothe Bug Bites
If you’re dealing with itchy bug bites, wet a bar of Irish Spring soap and rub it on the affected area. The soap’s cooling and soothing properties can help relieve the itchiness and irritation caused by bug bites.
6. Clean Grimy Hands
If you’ve been working in the garden or garage and your hands are covered in dirt and grime, Irish Spring soap can help cut through the mess. The soap’s strong cleaning power and exfoliating properties can remove even the most stubborn dirt, leaving your hands feeling clean and refreshed.
7. Deodorize Garbage Cans
To keep your garbage cans smelling fresh, place some Irish Spring soap at the bottom of the can before adding a new garbage bag. The soap will help absorb odors and keep your trash from smelling too foul.
8. Remove Sticker Residue
If you have sticky residue left behind from stickers or labels, try rubbing the area with a damp bar of Irish Spring soap. The soap’s cleaning agents can help dissolve the adhesive, making it easier to wipe away the residue.
9. Keep Paintbrushes Soft
After painting, clean your brushes as usual, then rub a bar of Irish Spring soap onto the bristles before storing them. The soap will help keep the bristles soft and prevent them from drying out and becoming stiff.
10. Make Laundry Smell Fresh
For an extra boost of freshness in your laundry, grate a small amount of Irish Spring soap and add it to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. The soap’s clean scent will leave your clothes smelling fresh and invigorating.
So, the next time you reach for Irish Spring, consider these unexpected uses and unleash its full potential around your home.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.