Homemade Dawn Powerwash: Easy Recipe for Refills

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Tested

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.

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 aa mason jar with a spray lid attachment.

2

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Community Q&A

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.