Washing up liquid is effective at clearing away grease, stains and dirt, but it can also help to kill bacteria on dishes and cutlery. This is because it is an antiseptic, which enables it to kill germs. It is effective for dishes, but if you need to sanitise or disinfect surfaces such as worktops or floors, a more specialist of heavy-duty cleaning product may be needed.
You can also find washing up liquid with added antibacterial power, which can be particularly good for keeping sponges and cleaning implements germ-free.