Dawn Powerwash is more than just your average dish soap. This unassuming product has become a staple in many cleaners’ arsenals for tackling all kinds of tough cleaning jobs around the home. From baked-on grease to grimy outdoor furniture, Dawn Powerwash’s formula helps break down dirt and grime that other cleaners struggle with.

Many people are surprised by the versatility and cleaning power of this modest bottle of dish soap. But cleaning experts and avid DIYers know that Dawn Powerwash punches above its weight when it comes to household cleaning. Read on to discover 12 surprising things you can clean with Dawn Powerwash that will have you reaching for it over other cleaners.

1. Remove Grease and Grime from Kitchen Surfaces

The kitchen is ground zero for greasy messes from cooking and baking. While you may already use Dawn Powerwash for dishes, its degreasing powers also make it ideal for cleaning greasy kitchen surfaces.

Aim Dawn Powerwash directly at sticky grease splatters on countertops, stoves, ovens, microwaves, and range hoods. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away baked-on grime and restoring your surfaces to a sparkling finish. The powerful formula breaks down even the toughest oil splatters and cooking residue for a deep clean. No other degreaser compares when it comes to cutting through kitchen grease.

2. Clean Dirty Oven Racks and Pans

Over time, oven racks and bakeware can accumulate a stubborn layer of baked-on food and grease that other cleaners just can’t seem to budge. Dawn Powerwash to the rescue!

Simply fill your dirty pans and racks with warm water, add a few sprays of Dawn Powerwash, and let them soak for at least 15 minutes. The formula will penetrate and dissolve the crusty mess. For especially dirty racks, use a plastic brush or sponge to gently scrub away residues after soaking. The Powerwash powers through even charred-on spills for bakeware that looks brand new.

3. Refresh Grungy Grill Grates

Does your grill grate look a little worse for wear after months of cooking out? Grime, grease buildup, and burnt food particles can be difficult to remove using standard grill cleaners.

Next time, try the cleaning power of Dawn Powerwash instead. Simply spray liberally over cold grill grates and use a scrub brush to work the formula into stuck-on bits. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing – you’ll be amazed at the transformation. Dawn Powerwash can make even the dirtiest grill grates look good as new in mere minutes, without heavy scrubbing or harsh chemicals.

4. Degrease Kitchen Cabinet Interiors

It’s easy for kitchen cabinet interiors to become coated in a layer of hard-to-remove grease and grime buildup over time. Everyday splatters and spills leave behind a residue that accumulates and becomes more difficult to clean.

Dawn Powerwash is up for this tough cleaning challenge. Simply spray inside cabinets and drawers and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Then wipe interior surfaces to easily eliminate grease and leave your cabinets fresh. For caked-on messes, use a scrub sponge after spraying. Dawn Powerwash breaks through and dissolves greasy buildup for squeaky clean cabinet interiors.

5. Clean Makeup Brushes and Beauty Tools

Beauty professionals love using Dawn Powerwash to thoroughly clean makeup brushes, sponges, and other tools. The formula is highly effective at breaking down and removing residual makeup, oils, and bacteria that easily accumulate on these high-use items.

Swirl brush bristles in a bowl of warm water and a small squirt of Dawn Powerwash. Use your fingers to gently work the solution into the bristles until the water runs clear. Rinse thoroughly. Your makeup tools will be completely free of pigment, oils, and bacteria – leaving them fresh and ready for use again. Regular cleaning with Dawn Powerwash can help prolong the life of makeup brushes.

6. Remove Pet Stains and Odors from Carpets and Upholstery

Pesky pet stains and odors in carpeting and upholstery can be notoriously difficult to get rid of. Where other cleaners fail, Dawn Powerwash can often succeed. Its formula helps to break down the urine, feces, vomit, and other organic compounds that cause pet stains and odors in fabric.

To clean, first blot up any excess moisture from the soiled area. Apply Dawn Powerwash directly onto the stain and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes. Use a clean, damp sponge or cloth to blot the area and lift away the dissolved stain residue. Repeat if needed for set-in stains. Let carpet or upholstery completely dry before assessing if the stain and odor has been eliminated.

7. Clean Tile and Grout

Over time, tile floors and walls can accumulate soap scum, hard water deposits, and grimy buildup, especially in the grout lines. Removing this buildup by hand can require hours of scrubbing. Let Dawn Powerwash do the hard work for you instead.

Spray Dawn Powerwash liberally over tile and grout. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before going over the area with a scrub brush or wiping with a cloth. You’ll find the formula easily breaks up and dissolves soap scum so you can remove it without extensive scrubbing. Use Dawn Powerwash regularly to maintain clean tile and prevent future buildup.

8. Remove Oil and Grease Stains from Garage Floors

Oily drips and greasy tire marks on garage floors and driveways can leave behind stubborn stains. But Dawn Powerwash has the cleaning muscle to tackle these tough stains that other cleaners simply can’t touch.

Spray Dawn Powerwash directly onto the stain. For older, set-in stains, let the formula sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate the residue before scrubbing and rinsing. Use a stiff scrub brush for especially stubborn spots. The powerful formula goes to work breaking down the oil and grease compounds so they can be lifted and rinsed away, leaving your garage floors looking spotless.

9. Clean and Whiten Shoes

Over time, your favorite sneakers are bound to get dirty and dingy with use. Get them looking crisp and bright again with the help of Dawn Powerwash. It works to safely break down and dissolve dirt on rubber, canvas, and leather shoes without damaging materials.

Remove shoelaces and brush off any loose dirt first. Then apply Dawn Powerwash, scrub with a toothbrush, and wipe clean with a damp cloth. For best results, allow cleaner to sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing. Repeat on stubborn spots. You’ll be amazed at the transformation. Dawn Powerwash can whitening soles and brighten up faded canvas for shoes that look brand new.

10. Remove Gunky Buildup on Outdoor Furniture

Dirt, mildew, pollen, and other gunk can accumulate on outdoor patio furniture over the seasons. Get outdoor furnishings looking like new again with the cleaning power of Dawn Powerwash. It quickly breaks down organic buildup that sticks to outdoor furniture and leaves behind a fresh, clean surface.

Spray Dawn Powerwash liberally over surfaces and use a scrub brush to work into stuck-on grime. Let sit for up to 15 minutes before rinsing clean. You’ll find patio furniture stripped of seasons’ worth of dirt, stains, and residue with minimal effort thanks to Dawn’s hardworking formula.

11. Clean and Deodorize Garbage Cans

It’s no surprise that garbage cans easily become grimy and smelly from holding waste. While bleach is effective, the fumes can be overwhelming. Dawn Powerwash offers a safer method for tackling dirty garbage cans.

Spray cans thoroughly with Dawn Powerwash – concentrate on the interior and underside of the lid. Let sit 5 minutes. Use a scrub brush and rinse to remove food waste and eliminate odors. Repeat periodically for maintenance. The grime-fighting formula destroys bacteria on contact for garbage cans that are clean and odor-free.

12. Remove Tree Sap and Bug Gut from Cars

Tree sap drips and splattered bug guts on car paintwork are notoriously difficult to remove safely. Harsh solvents can damage clear coat finishes. Dawn Powerwash offers a more car-friendly cleaning solution that powers through these messy residues.

Simply spray Dawn Powerwash liberally onto problem areas. Allow 2-5 minutes for the formula to penetrate and dissolve the sap or splatter. Then use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe it away without scratching the paint. You’ll find this unassuming product can conquer car cleaning challenges without damaging surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Dawn Powerwash as a Cleaner

Dawn Powerwash has become a secret weapon among cleaning enthusiasts for its versatility and cleaning power. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creatively using this unassuming dish soap as an all-purpose cleaner:

What surfaces can I use Dawn Powerwash to clean?

Dawn Powerwash is safe for use on most washable hard surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, appliances, grills, and more. It can also be used to spot clean carpets, upholstery, and auto interiors when dealing with soap scum, greasy stains, and more. Avoid using it on natural stone and etched or hand-painted finishes which may be damaged by prolonged exposure. Always spot test in an inconspicuous area first.

How should I apply Dawn Powerwash for cleaning?

Most often, Dawn Powerwash is applied directly to the soiled surface and allowed to sit for several minutes to penetrate grime before wiping or scrubbing and rinsing. For baked-on messes, let it soak for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing. For maintenance cleaning, simply spray, wipe, and rinse. Shake bottle before using.

What makes Dawn Powerwash good for cleaning?

The Dawn Powerwash formula contains detergents and degreasers that work to break down residue from grease, oils, food, dirt, cosmetics, and more at the molecular level. This allows grime to be lifted and rinsed away easily. It also contains bacteria-destroying ingredients to eliminate odors and help remove organic stains.

What stains does Dawn Powerwash remove?

Dawn Powerwash can tackle many tricky stains including grease, burnt and baked-on food, coffee and tea stains, cosmetic residues, lipstick marks, oil drips, tree sap, insect splatter, pet stains, and more on a variety of surfaces. Its cleaning agents help dissolve and lift away these stubborn stains other products struggle with.

Can Dawn Powerwash be used in hot or cold water?

Dawn Powerwash can be used effectively in both hot and cold water. Hot water can typically accelerate cleaning times for dried, baked-on, or aged stains and buildup. But the formula works with cold water as well. Avoid extreme high heat when using on plastics which may warp.

Is Dawn Powerwash safe for cleaning around food?

When used properly, Dawn Powerwash is generally considered food-safe for cleaning in the kitchen. As with any cleaner, thoroughly rinse surfaces after use especially before food preparation. Avoid use on dishes, cookware, and cutting boards. Only use hand dishwashing liquid on anything that touches food directly.

Does Dawn Powerwash need to be diluted or can it be used full strength?

Dawn Powerwash is formulated to be used full-strength for most household cleaning purposes without dilution required. For regular maintenance cleaning, you may dilute 1-2 teaspoons with water in a spray bottle. But for tackling messes and stains, apply full strength and let sit before wiping away.

What makes Dawn Powerwash different than original Dawn dish soap?

Dawn Powerwash contains extra grease-cutting and degreasing agents beyond what is in the original Dawn formula. It also has additional bacteria eliminating ingredients. The solution is thicker for clinging to vertical surfaces. Overall, it’s formulated to be more heavy-duty for tough cleaning needs beyond dishes.

Should I rinse surfaces after cleaning with Dawn Powerwash?

Yes, surfaces should be rinsed with clean water after using Dawn Powerwash. While it can be used full-strength for cleaning, you don’t want any excess residue left behind on food preparation areas or children’s items. Rinsing will remove all traces of cleaner.

Conclusion

Dawn Powerwash may seem like an unassuming product, but it packs some serious cleaning power that avid DIYers have come to rely on. With its grease-dissolving formula and bacteria-busting ingredients, this versatile dish soap can tackle cleaning challenges all over your home.

Give Dawn Powerwash a try the next time you need to power through tough grease and grime on surfaces ranging from ovens and cabinetry to garage floors and outdoor furniture. You’ll be amazed at its cleaning capabilities and reach for it over traditional cleaners going forward. Just a small bottle holds the solution to so many household cleaning woes. Let Dawn Powerwash make your dirty work a whole lot easier.