These past few days, the constant rain has made the surroundings damp and stuffy. If we don’t clean the house thoroughly and keep the space dry and well-ventilated, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and cockroaches. Not only are these pests irritating, but they also carry dangerous infectious diseases that threaten our health and even our lives. That’s why, whenever you notice mosquitoes or cockroaches appearing indoors, it’s important to act quickly and drive them away.

Using chemical sprays may seem like a convenient option, but they often do more harm than good. They cost money, leave an unpleasant smell, and can affect the family’s respiratory health if inhaled too often or in large quantities. Meanwhile, there are many simple household items that can help repel pests safely and inexpensively—so why not give them a try?

According to a feature published on VnExpress, there is an easy method to repel both mosquitoes and cockroaches: mix laundry detergent and sugar in a 1:1 ratio, then dilute the mixture with water.

1. Using the Mixture to Repel Mosquitoes

If you want to get rid of mosquitoes, pour the diluted solution into a plastic bottle with the upper section cut off. Place the bottle in corners of the house—under the bed, behind the door, near the kitchen, or anywhere mosquitoes frequently appear. Mosquitoes are attracted to the sweet fragrance, so they will fly toward the container. Once they consume the alkaline mixture, they will be instantly eliminated.

Since the mixture evaporates quickly, you should replace it once a week to maintain effectiveness.

Another option is to place the mixture beside indoor plants, as mosquitoes tend to hover around moist soil. However, be cautious if you have small children or pets, because ingesting the solution can cause poisoning and may require medical attention.

You can also mix one tablespoon of laundry detergent with four liters of water and spray it around dark corners, under furniture, or behind cabinets twice a week. This helps eliminate mosquitoes hiding in these areas, especially during rainy, humid weather when they reproduce rapidly.

2. Using the Mixture to Repel Cockroaches

To target cockroaches, instead of placing the solution in a bottle, pour it into a spray bottle. Spray it into cracks, corners, under the sink, behind the refrigerator, and along the pathways cockroaches usually travel. You can also soak a cloth in the solution and wipe down surfaces.

Cockroaches breathe through tiny openings on their body surface. The alkaline content in laundry detergent clogs these openings, making it difficult for them to survive. As a result, they’ll avoid the treated areas altogether.

Additionally, you can spray the mixture directly onto window screens, balcony doors, or insect-preventing mesh panels. This helps repel mosquitoes, cockroaches, and other insects that might enter the home from outside.

3. Extra Uses of the Detergent-Sugar Mixture

Besides repelling pests, this mixture offers other surprising benefits:

• Deodorizing floor drains:
  Laundry detergent has strong cleaning power and a pleasant scent. Pouring the solution into indoor drains helps eliminate unpleasant odors. However, this method is only suitable for household water drainage systems, not outdoor sewage lines.

• Removing yellow stains on towels and clothes:
  The solution can replace bleach and is much gentler on the skin. Soak stained fabrics in the mixture for 1–2 hours, then wash as usual. The yellow stains will fade significantly or disappear entirely.

• Cleaning greasy kitchen cloths:
  Kitchen towels and cleaning rags often accumulate oil and grime. Simply soak them for 5–10 minutes in the solution before washing—they will come out clean and fresh without harsh scrubbing.

4. A Few Additional Tips

Depending on your household needs, you can choose different pest-control methods. Experts still emphasize that, instead of relying heavily on chemical products—which often leave harmful residues—it's safer and more cost-effective to use natural or readily available household ingredients. Regular cleaning, keeping living spaces dry, and sealing potential insect entry points are also essential steps to prevent infestations.

By adopting simple habits and making use of everyday items, you can maintain a healthier, cleaner, and more comfortable home environment for the entire family.