Homemade Dawn Powerwash: Easy Recipe for Refills

Co-authored by Carolina Rodriguez and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 Fact Checked

If you love Dawn Powerwash, you'll be pleased to learn that it's a snap to make at home! Refill your empty Dawn Powerwash bottle with an easy DIY hack that uses ingredients you probably have on hand. In this article, we'll walk you through how to make homemade Dawn Powerwash that's just as effective as the store bought version.

Things You Should Know

Pour 13 fl oz (380 ml) of water into an empty container.
Mix in 4 US tbsp (59 ml) of blue Dawn Original Dish Soap.
Add 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of rubbing alcohol. You can include a few drops of essential oil (if desired).
Shake the container to combine the ingredients and the cleaner is ready to use.

1

Get out an empty container.

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You can use the empty Dawn Powerwash container or your own bottle. If you use your own bottle, choose a 16 fl oz (470 ml) bottle that has a sprayer. If you only have larger bottles, that's fine—just double the ingredients.^{[1]
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- If you're trying to use fewer plastic products, get a mason jar with a spray lid attachment.

2

Pour 13 fl oz (380 ml) of water into the container.

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Take your bottle to the sink and fill it to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top. It's fine to eyeball this amount, but if you want to be precise, fill a measuring cup with 13 fluid ounces (380 ml) of water and slowly pour it into the bottle.^{[2]
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- For the cleanest product, use distilled water—it's free from impurities that can leave streaks or residue behind.

3

Pour in Dawn dish soap.

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Add 4 US tbsp (59 ml) of Dawn for the main cleaning ingredient. To make classic Dawn Powerwash, use blue Dawn Original Dish Soap. Feel free to try a different type of Dawn dish soap if it's what you have on hand.^{[3]
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- Stick a small funnel in the bottle to make it easier to add the soap and rubbing alcohol.

4

Add in rubbing alcohol.

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Use 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of rubbing alcohol for stain removal. Rubbing alcohol might be something you stick in the first aid kit, but it's a fantastic cleaning product since it lifts stubborn stains. Just pour the rubbing alcohol into the bottle of water.^{[4]
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- If you don't have rubbing alcohol, substitute the same amount of white vinegar.

5

Put in a few drops of essential oil if you like.

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Customize the scent of your homemade Dawn Powerwash. Although the solution has the classic scent of Dawn liquid dish soap, you can add your own fragrance. Just mix in about 5 drops of essential oils before you use your Dawn Powerwash.
- For instance, add rosemary or pine essential oils for a strong, woodsy scent.
- Try lemon or orange essential oil to make a bright, citrusy smell.
- Add tea tree or mint essential oil for a sharp, fresh scent.

6

Screw the lid on and shake the bottle.

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Shake gently, so the product doesn't foam up too much. Just turn the bottle upside down and right side up a few times, so the soap and rubbing alcohol combine with the water. Now, you're all set!^{[5]
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- If you've used your own bottle and find that the solution is getting clogged in the nozzle, dilute your homemade Dawn Powerwash with more water and try again.

7

Use your homemade Dawn Powerwash spray.

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Try it throughout your home to lift stubborn stains and grease. You probably already reach for Dawn Powerwash when you're doing dishes, but it's handy for other kitchen tasks. Spray it on stainless steel appliances, wipe down grimy cabinets, use it as a window cleaner, and spray it on clothes with tough stains. Here are a few more ideas for using your Dawn Powerwash:^{[6]
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- Clean outdoor furniture
- Wash your bathtub or shower
- Deep-clean your stove or oven
- Treat carpet stains
- Scrub your grill grates

Expert Q&A

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Question

What is the most useful cleaning product that I can get on the market?

Carolina Rodriguez
Cleaning Specialist
Carolina Rodriguez is a Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Ecoverde Cleaning, based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ecoverde was born out of a desire to provide an eco-friendly cleaning option that competes with many traditional cleaning companies in the Washington, DC metro area. Through competitive pricing, attractive service plans, and friendly customer service. Ecoverde has built a strong residential and commercial customer base serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and has been named the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Washington DC. Carolina and her team specialize in residential and commercial cleaning services and use Green Seal Certified products. The team's cleaning technicians go through an extensive training process, learning about specific products, real-time cross-contamination, and how to use appropriate equipment for specific services. They also provide free cleanings to cancer patients through a non-profit organization, Cleaning For a Reason.

Carolina Rodriguez

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Among the myriad cleaning products available, I find multi-purpose cleaners to be the most useful. These cleaners efficiently tackle various surfaces such as countertops, refrigerator exteriors, and mirrors. When it comes to floors, I select a cleaner based on the specific type—whether it's vinyl, tile, or wood. However, for most other cleaning tasks, a reliable multipurpose cleaner gets the job done effectively.

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Question

My Dawn Powerwash sprayer will not work! What should I do to get it working?

Myhouse2345

Community Answer

The nozzle of the sprayer is probably clogged, try poking it with a pin. If that does not work, you can buy a sprayer at most supermarkets.

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Tips

If you accidentally poured the Dawn dish soap and rubbing alcohol into the bottle before the water, don't worry! Just pour the water into the bottle very slowly to minimize foaming.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Spraying Dawn Powerwash directly on ants and roaches can kill them on contact. It can also paralyze or slow down other bugs so you have time to find a swatter.
If your spray bottle gets clogged, you might have added too much soap. Just add some more water and a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the bottle.
Adding rosemary essential oil to your Dawn Powerwash can make it even more effective at killing pests.

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