Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How much Dawn soap do I use to put on my carpets? And does it work and how often can I use it?
By Joyce M. from Pittsburgh
I don't know about dawn soap, but I used plain old table salt. Just sprinkle generously on your carpet, let it sit for several days and vacuum. Then apply once more, let sit, vacuum. Works for us!
Linda is right. Salt is the best. Now, here is where any dish washing liquid comes in handy.
Fleas love warm climates so they will hop into a pie plate of water sitting under a night light or desk lamp. With a few drops of DWL to break up the surface adhesion they will jump in and drown.
I hope this helps too!
Sandi/PBP
They did not jump into my water that I left all night with 3 dogs with fleas!
That's because your need to spray your carpets with lemon juice and Apple cider vinegar to flush then out of the carpets and towards the liquid in the pie plate.
I bathed my new 6 week old puppy in Dawn because I heard how well it worked, but all the fleas ran to her nose. What can I do?
By Sandra D.
When you bath your puppy or dog always start as far forward towards the head as you can. You can start the bath by just doing around the ears, back of the pup's head and then the neck without putting the pup in water. What I do is mix water and dawn in a measuring cup and then soap up around the ears and neck area before putting them in any other water.
As soon as you put the animal in water the fleas will run for "high ground" which is the head. After getting the neck area soaped I then do the rest of the body making sure that they are fully wet and completely soaped up. Scrub and leave soap on for at least 4 to 5 minutes, then rinse.
This is a old thread but in case someone else comes here looking for an answer! I actually put a ring of the soap around the cat or dog's neck then soak them in the flea bath. So if the fleas run upward they get stuck in the soap ring barrier. I then take the flea comb that's dipped in the dawn bath water and brush around his/her face and other areas that aren't submerged.
I was wondering how much dish detergent and alcohol to mix together to spray my floors, my furniture, my carpets, and so on? Is it possible to use too much?
Thank you for your time it is greatly appreciated.
The best way I have ever found to get rid of fleas is with white vinegar. Mix 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in a spray bottle. You can spray this on the cats and use a flea comb to comb them off. When you do this use a bowl with pure vinegar to rinse off the comb.
You can also use the vinegar and water solution in your home and around your home to control the fleas. I would also suggest getting your cats the flea pill that lasts 3 months and continue giving it to them every 3 months.
We bought an 8 week old Malipoo and she has fleas and eggs, because every time we kill them and then check her again she will have baby fleas. Will Dawn dishsoap kill the eggs too?
By Carole
I agree with the first answer you got. However, trying to kill fleas outside is a pain, a real big one. You can choose to go buy a chemical spray for your yard, but I don't like chemicals. But, if you go to your local Walmart, Home Depot, etc...wherever they sell those chemicals, you can find those empty bottles that connect to your water hose for you to spray your own mixture. I have used that by mixing water and Dawn liquid dish soap, then spraying my yard with it.
I'm trying to figure out the same thing. I live in Florida, which seems to be a breeding ground for mutant fleas. I have used every conventional method of getting rid of the buggers, including topical medications, two different types of name brand flea collars (including the Suresto Collar which worked for about 4 months), Shampoos, and now trying an oral medication that kills not only fleas, but treats heart, ring, and hookworms. Hopefully this will do the trick. I had been bathing my dog with Dawn with much success, for that day at least. I've bombed my house, washed all of my clothes and bedding, and spray all natural flea killer and repellent spray on my carpets and furniture, but the fleas are still eating up my poor puppy. I feel bad for the little guy, he's only 11lbs, and being tortured by these pesky monsters. Hopefully the Trifexis, along with a flea collar works, because I'm spending more on the dog than my wife and myself. I'm not certain if Dawn kills flea eggs, but I know some collars do. My advice would be to wash your pet with the Dawn, then maybe with an oatmeal shampoo to avoid dry itchy skin, along with a Suresto collar. They say you can wash your pet with the collar on, but it's been my experience that it lessens the potency of the collar, reducing the original 8 month effectiveness.
People Dawn is SAFE for animals. Do your research. Have you never seen the commercials?? You can use it regularly on your cats, dogs, and many other animals. Just go get down for a dollar at Dollar Tree or WalMart. Leave it on them for like five minutes and then rinse it off. You all keep asking the same stuff over and over because you are not reading. Just read what everyone has said please before repeating a question.. Also Dawn isn't like other crap you get at the store. Other stuff is unsafe. Only Dawn.
Some types of Dawn contain ammonia, which is not safe for animals. Be sure to read the warnings on the back of the bottle to be sure.
Does it matter which Dawn I use to bathe my dog? Blue, scented, etc.?
By Bev from MA
I'd use the plain blue, but put a few drops in a large plastic glass or container and dissolve it before putting in on dog. It's very concentrated and hard to rinse out and left over soap could make your dog itch.
I gave my 2 cats a bath in Dawn soap and then I put flea medicine on them as soon as I got them out of the tub. Will the flea medics work?
I hope you dried them well but yes, the flea meds should still work if they were applied correctly - as directed on the package. The meds may not last as long as stated so you should keep track (write down the date meds were applied on your calender) and see if fleas return before the time meds normally are effective. You may have to reapply sooner than normally expected.
I have heard they are effective. You will also have to treat carpets and upholstery
First, congratulations on giving your cats a bath! That's quite a feat - and I'm a lifelong multi-cat owner...several have lived into their twenties!
I have read that Dawn is an excellent flea killer in itself. Try to let the cats dry by toweling them off well and air drying before applying the flea meds after a quick brushing.
If you've gotten past all that with cat(s) and survived without having one hanging from your neck or skin of your nose (or worse---all of which I've endured after lovingly protecting a few cats of mine over the years!) you deserve a trophy, as well as do your cats! Kudos!
I have heard of using Dawn blue dish detergent for fleas. What do I do, and does it work fast for relief? My Chihuahua was given Capstar yesterday, and it made him worse. Please help.
By Josie M
I use capstar all the time for my dogs and cats. It does make them act like they are going crazy for awhile then they are alright. I put dawn in a sprayer and spay the yard and my 10X20 cat kennel. I keep a bowl of water and dawn in it with a flea comb and my 3 inside cats always let me know when they want me to comb them with it. I have had a bad year with fleas due to yard next to my cat kennel has not mowed their grass in years and with all of the birds and squirrels coming to my yard they bring the fleas with them. I go around the yard about every 2 days with the sprayer
Josie M,
Here is the website I found that gave specific instructions on how best to use dawn on your pet to kill fleas. Just be sure to only use it sparingly, and in a pinch, so you do not strip your pet of essential oils in his or her coat. Good Luck!
www.ehow.com/
I have elderly service dog (Lhasa Apso). He has seizures that are not conducive to pesticides sold for flea and tick prevention. don't give pesticides! He also developed tumors all around area of application! First, try sprinkling carpet and floors with salt for 24 hrs and vacuum like mad but keep pet away. salt kills many insects by scratching outside and then dessicating them. also, try tea tree oil, lavender oil, dawn dish detergent. I use lavender fabuloso on kitchen floor and counters and have no ants, or creepy crawlies. Due to his health issues, I am experimenting with dawn, cedar oil (or tee tree oil)...it can be used on bedding but must be diluted. Poisoning my baby has never been loved, but works (Advantix). I would never put a pill inside to kill, cuz it is then in your pet! eeeks. if your vet is worth his salt, he can help you with the flea issue, but don't forget they sell pesticides....conflict of interest for some who don't love your pet as you do. it is well worth trying natural methods to keep fleas and bugs off your dog. Watching my guy heal from eleven wounds from cysts and tumors, watching grand mal seizures after application of pesticides is heartbreaking. Some are even using vinegar in drinking water, I have never tried. I have read much about Dawn blue original dish detergent...which I will use when stitches are out. if ok, i will add 8 drops of tea tree or cedar essential oil to the bottle of shampoo. take care...hope this helps and is cost effective, but mainly leaves you with happy, healthy dog to enjoy for a long time. don't forget to treat your lawn also. Fleas and ticks carry/cause diseases that can kill your dog. wish you all the best.
Can I mix Dawn and water and do the inside of my house using a garden sprayer?
By Bosco
I think it would kill the fleas, but you would end up with a really big mess. That soap is difficult to remove, and it would get sticky then attract dirt. If you could find a way to spray it around then remove it, it might work.
Baking soda...on carpets ....smoothers the little suckers
Does it dry out their skin because my dog has very dry skin?
By Tina
Dawn removes oil and grease from dishes and it will also remove oil from a dog's body. So do not use Dawn on your dog. If you want to kill fleas and prevent future problems, check with your vet on what to use to avoid dry skin problems for your dog.
I know I can use it to give my dog a bath, but would it be effective at all as a spray as well?
By Elizabeth
I would not use Dawn dish soap as a spray for fleas. What I use as a spray to kill fleas is original Skin So Soft bath oil from Avon. You do have to mix it with five (5) parts water to one (1) part SSS. Kills fleas on contact.
Doesn't putting Dawn in your carpet cleaner to help get rid of fleas make the carpet very "soapy" and sticky? Do you have to re-clean the carpet to rinse it?
By Catherine L.
I to tried dawn in the steam cleaner only to find I had soapy carpet. I had to rinse it after I was done.
Try just putting a little flea soap like you would use on the animal in your steam cleaner. There is no need to rinse and it kills all the fleas and eggs.
We were so over run with fleas that I would have tried anything and my friend said that's how she got rid of the fleas that had invaded her carpet. So I tried it and it worked like magic.
In order to kill the fleas in a room do you use both Dawn and apple cider vinegar in a dish and put it under a light, or is it just Dawn in the dish with water?
By Catherine L.
You can just use water with a little bit of Dawn. Put on a plate and put a small light over it or a lit candle in the middle of the plate. Make sure the room is as dark as possible so the fleas will be attracted to your trap. You can also buy traps that come with sticky replaceable liners that work great also. Traps do work, but other measures will be needed to completely eliminate fleas. I use the traps, diatomaceous earth, Dawn on my cats and flea treatments. It is a job getting rid of these suckers!
What is the amount of the mixture of Dawn and water?
By Bert
I never bothered diluting at all. If you wish, half and half should be OK. Get 2 to 2 and a half cups dry Borax into each average size carpeted room. Leave for 2 weeks for life cycle. Vacuum. For the yard use natural, inexpensive Cedercide granules. 5 pounds lasts more than a year.
Can I use Ultra Dawn on my 10 week old puppy? I can't seem to control the fleas. I have sprayed my rugs, etc. Is Ultra Dawn OK? It is all that I have.
By Becky
I see how Dawn can work, it also takes the oil off of flea's larva. But my question is, will using Dawn deplete my dog's natural oils that his coat needs.
By Steve
What is the amount of Dawn liquid soap I should use on my dog to kill fleas?
By Helen from Acworth, GA
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Will Dawn get rid of fleas on my dog? If so, how long will they be gone? And how long between treatments will I need to bathe her?
We just moved from Ohio and found my cat seems to have developed an allergy to the fleas here. They bother him so much that in just a few days he has dug out patches of fur and left open sores from digging.
I read that you can give your pet a bath in original Dawn soap to kill fleas. I just did it right now and a lot fell off.
Does dawn dish soap really work on dogs that stay outside all the time? What is the best thing to use on my yard because the fleas have been bad here and Sevin Dust did not work.
If fleas are a problem for your pet, wash them with Dawn dishwashing soap. It kills them instantly.
I read the thread about using Dawn for washing the dogs to get rid of fleas. This is kind of a silly question but does it matter which kind of Dawn you use.
