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Dawn has been my preferred dish soap since I started blogging in 2011, which made my decision to create a DIY Dawn Powerwash recipe a no-brainer. Dawn Powerwash dish spray is a brilliant product, but my copycat Dawn Powerwash recipe is much more affordable.
With just water, a bit of dish soap, a splash of vinegar or alcohol, and some lemon essential oil, you can make a homemade dish spray that works just as well as the original!
Table of Contents
What Is Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray?
While Dawn dish soap needs to be added to water or a wet sponge for it to work properly, Powerwash dish spray is pre-diluted and starts breaking down grease and grime right away. Just spray it onto dirty dishes as you put them in the sink, and you can reduce the time and effort required to wash them later.
I loved the idea of this dish spray both in theory and practice, but I was less enthusiastic about the price of the refills. Once the bottle was empty, I decided to do what I do best: create a homemade version that works just as well!
DIY Dawn Powerwash Recipe: What’s In It?
| Ingredient | Properties |
|---|---|
| Dish soap | Breaks down grease, oil, and food residues |
| Water | Powerful solvent, makes for an easy-to-use spray |
| Vinegar (optional) | Counters the effects of hard water and kills bacteria |
| Alcohol (optional) | Dissolves impurities and kills bacteria |
| Lemon essential oil (optional) | Powerful degreasing agent with a fresh, clean scent |
“[Instead of alcohol,] I used four pumps of SANELL 63% hand sanitizer, which the bottle states also contains moisturizers and vitamin E. I imagine each ‘pump’ was about 1/2 oz. When I tried this solution it replicated the original [product] perfectly.”
– OGT Reader Molly P.
How To Make Homemade Dawn Powerwash
Ingredients:
- Liquid dish soap
- Water
- White vinegar or rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Lemon essential oil (optional)
Directions:
Remove the spray top from a continuous spray bottle (or an empty Dawn Powerwash bottle) and add 1 tablespoon of dish soap (classic blue Dawn, Dawn Platinum, and homemade dish soap are all great options). Fill the remainder of the bottle with water.
Add a splash of distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to offset the effects of hard water, if desired, or a few drops of lemon essential oil for its fresh scent and grease-cutting action (or both!)
Replace the spray top on the bottle, then gently shake it to mix.
If you don’t have an empty Powerwash bottle or continuous spray bottle at home, you can use a standard bottle, but you might have some issues with the thick foam clogging up the spray nozzle. Just something to keep in mind!
Jillee’s Take:
How To Use This DIY Dish Spray
Keep your DIY dish spray next to the kitchen sink, and as you prepare your meals, generously spray dirty dishes before placing them in the sink. The soap and other cleaning agents will start breaking down tough food residues right away.
Once you’ve finished eating and are ready to clean up, the dish spray will have worked its magic! Whether you wash the dishes by hand or load them into your dishwasher, your dishes are sure to end up sparkling clean.
More Ways To Use Homemade Dawn Powerwash Spray
Dawn dish soap is a powerfully effective ingredient in several of my favorite homemade cleaning products, including a homemade shower cleaner, DIY cleaning wipes, a homemade granite cleaner, a DIY window and mirror cleaner, and much more!
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You can also use this homemade Powerwash spray to clean more than just dishes. Here are some other things you can clean with this DIY dish spray:
- Microwave oven
- Stainless steel appliances
- Fridge interior
- Kitchen countertops
- Spills and splatters
- Cupboard doors
- Tabletops
- Countertop appliances
- Clothing stains
- Tools
- Tile backsplashes
I bought a 2-pack of continuous spray bottles, and I’m glad I did! I made one spray with vinegar for use in the bathroom, and the other with alcohol for use in the kitchen and on our new stone countertops. Both formulas are great for everyday cleanup!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This DIY Powerwash In A Regular Spray Bottle?
Yes, but you might experience issues with the spray nozzle clogging up due to the foam created by the spray.
Is Powerwash Just Diluted Dawn?
The main ingredients are Dawn and water, but the label does list a few other ingredients, including alcohol.
Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol In Dawn Powerwash?
Absolutely. A splash of alcohol helps break down tough grease and grime.
Do You Have To Rinse Dawn Powerwash?
The answer depends on how you plan to wash the dishes. You don’t need to rinse the spray off before washing dishes by hand, but you do need to rinse the spray off before loading them into your dishwasher.
How Long Can I Store Homemade Powerwash?
The spray will keep for about a year stored in a cool, dark place.
Conclusion
This Dawn Powerwash hack is a brilliant way to save time and money in the kitchen. Plus, using it outside of the kitchen makes it even more useful!
Have you tried using a dish spray like Dawn Powerwash in your own kitchen?
DIY Dawn Powerwash (Recipe)
Equipment
- Continuous Spray Bottle or empty Powerwash spray bottle
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp dish soap
- 9 oz water
- 2 tbsp white vinegar or rubbing alcohol
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Add the dish soap and water to your spray bottle.
- Add the vinegar and lemon essential oil to the bottle, if using.
- Replace the spray top and gently shake the bottle to mix.
Video
Notes
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