Dettol Liquid Uses: Bath, Laundry, Cuts & How Much to Use
Dettol Antiseptic Liquid is in almost every African and Caribbean home. The brown bottle with the green sword comes out for cuts, bath water, laundry and mopping the floor. But it's a concentrate, and it must always be diluted. Here's exactly how much water to use for each job, based on the manufacturer's directions.
The golden rule: never put Dettol on your skin straight from the bottle. Undiluted Dettol can irritate or burn skin. When in doubt, add more water.
Dettol dilution chart
| Use | How much Dettol | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts, scrapes & bites | About 1 capful (20 ml) in 400 ml (about 1 2/3 cups) of water | 1 part Dettol to 20 parts water |
| Bath | About 30 ml (1½ capfuls) in a full bath | Very dilute |
| Bucket bath | About 1 teaspoon in a bucket of water | Very dilute |
| Shaving | About 2 teaspoons in a mug of water | 1 to 20 |
| Laundry, towels & linen | About 30 ml in the rinse cycle | Add to the rinse, not the wash |
| Floors & hard surfaces | About 20 ml in 400 ml of water, or a capful in a bucket for mopping | 1 to 20 for wiping |
Directions can vary slightly by country. Always read the label on your bottle first. A standard Dettol cap holds about 20 ml.
How to use Dettol for cuts and scrapes
Wash your hands, mix about 1 capful of Dettol in 400 ml of clean water (a 1 to 20 mix), and gently clean the cut with cotton wool or gauze until it's clean. Pat dry and cover it if needed. Make a fresh mix each time and throw away what's left. See a doctor for deep cuts, animal bites, burns, or a wound that gets red, swollen or painful.
How to use Dettol in the bath
Add about 30 ml (roughly a capful and a half) to a full bath and swish it in before you get in. For a bucket bath, a teaspoon in the bucket is enough. Many families add it after a long day or a trip. Do not use Dettol in bath water for babies under 9 months unless a doctor tells you to.
How to use Dettol for laundry
Add about 30 ml of Dettol Liquid to the rinse cycle, or to the final rinse water if you hand-wash. It's popular for towels, bedding, underwear, baby clothes and work uniforms. Don't pour it directly onto fabric, and don't mix it with bleach or other cleaners.
How to clean floors and surfaces with Dettol
For wiping counters, door handles, bathrooms and other hard surfaces, mix about 20 ml in 400 ml of water. For mopping, add a capful to a bucket of water. No need to rinse. Don't use it on high-gloss acrylic surfaces, and never mix Dettol with bleach, ammonia or other cleaning products.
Dettol safety tips
- External use only. Never swallow it. If swallowed, rinse the mouth, drink water or milk and call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or a doctor.
- Not for intimate or internal use. Doctors advise against douching, and antiseptics can irritate sensitive skin and upset the natural balance.
- Keep it away from eyes. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of cold water.
- Skip it on eczema or broken, irritated skin and stop if you get a rash or burning.
- Keep it away from cats and pets. Chloroxylenol, the active ingredient, is toxic to cats.
- Store it safely, tightly closed and out of children's reach.
Shop Dettol at Yado Market
In Chicago? Pick up Dettol at our store at 1651 E 87th St, or order online with fast U.S. shipping.
Dettol questions
Can I put Dettol directly on a wound?
No. Always dilute it first, about 1 part Dettol to 20 parts water. Undiluted Dettol can irritate or burn the skin.
How much Dettol do I put in bath water?
About 30 ml (a capful and a half) in a full bath, or about a teaspoon in a bucket.
Can I use Dettol in the washing machine?
Yes. Add about 30 ml to the rinse cycle. Don't mix it with bleach.
Is Dettol the same in every country?
Dettol Antiseptic Liquid is sold worldwide, but formulas and directions can differ slightly. Our Dettol is the classic antiseptic liquid many African and Caribbean families know. Always follow the label on your bottle.
Can I use Dettol on my face for pimples?
Some labels mention diluted Dettol for spots, but it can dry out or irritate facial skin. Test a small area first, or ask a pharmacist or dermatologist.
