Dry patches in your lawn are most commonly caused by thatch buildup and foot traffic, which leads to compacted soil, uneven water absorption, and brown, flaky grass.

Dish soaps have surfactants to break down dense, decaying matter on dishware, which can cut through old gunk in your grass, helping water flow through the thatch into the soil.

First, fill an inline fertilizer dispenser with dish soap. Adjust the dilution settings to dispense about 3 ounces per 1 gallon of water, making the concentration safe for plants.

Attach the dispenser and watering hose to a sprinkler, and let it water the lawn until thoroughly soaked. If you don't own a sprinkler, you can water the lawn by hand.

Alternatively, mix your soap with water in a large watering can and pour it around the lawn. Follow up with plenty of plain water to help the soap soak in.

After watering thoroughly, check your yard for soap bubbles that could leave a harmful residue on the grass. Spray them down until they're no longer visible.

Avoid using dish soap with harsh chemicals, antibacterial ingredients, or bleaching agents. You should only use biodegradable soaps and gentle cleansers.

Using dish soap also helps soften the soil and keeps plant-eating insects away from your lawn. Always monitor your lawn's response before repeating, and use any soaps sparingly.