Dawn Powerwash is one of my favorite kitchen helpers! It cuts through grease fast and smells great which makes it my go-to for not only dishes, but laundry stains, countertops, bathrooms, and more.
My husband first saw a commercial for it and said we need to try it, I was skeptical. I had just bought a big 1-gallon jug of Dawn Professional from Sam’s Club. When we went back to Sam’s I got the Dawn Powerwash bundle kit for around $9 which comes with 3 bottles total. Then I was hooked! My husband probably even more than me (you know how men soak pans and leave them soaking forever.. now he sprays them)
Dawn Powerwash quickly became a family favorite but I also didn’t want to spend $4-$5 for refills. I saw great sales on Amazon (like this one) and decided my stock-up price would be around $2.50, preferably $2 with Subscribe & Save and generous coupons from Amazon.
Homemade Powerwash Things to Know
Then I saw a TikTok video (follow FSF here) on how to make DIY Dawn Powerwash Copycat recipe and decided to try it because it looks super easy! All you need is water, Dawn dish soap, and isopropyl alcohol – all ingredients you probably already have at home. You can also add essential oil to make it smell better, but no more than 5 drops not to clog your nozzle. I haven’t tried adding essential oil yet.
When I first started using Dawn Powerwash I was stingy and didn’t spray a lot, but I am more generous with my homemade DIY Dawn Powerwash (as it’s thinner than the original), I may be even going overboard as I noticed I cough from the isopropyl alcohol if I add more than 2 oz. Doesn’t matter if it’s the 70% or 91% kind.
So please be aware of that and adjust the amount of alcohol in the refill if you need it. I’ve also read reviews of people complaining of the scent and fumes of the original Dawn dish spray. If you are sensitive to smell, as always, it would be best to use natural products for dishwashing.
How Much DIY Dawn Powerwash Refill Costs
I used Dawn Professional 1-Gallon ($15.34 at Sam’s Club – compare to $32.99 on Amazon) but any Dawn should work. One gallon is 128 ounces so I’ve paid 12¢ per ounce. I’m estimating 2 oz of isopropyl alcohol is around 30¢, so the final estimated cost of DIY Dawn Powerwash Refill would be less than 50¢!
Even if your price per ounce is slightly higher and your homemade Dawn Dish Spray is around $1 that’s still amazing savings!
How To Make DIY Dawn Powerwash Refill (Recipe)
What you need:
- 1 oz Dawn Dish Soap
- 2 oz isopropyl alcohol (I use 70%)
- 12 oz water
- essential oil (if desired)
Instructions:
Use a funnel to pour the Dawn and isopropyl alcohol into your old Dawn dish spray bottle (or use a continuous spray bottle), then slowly add the water to prevent too many bubbles. Gently shake the bottle to mix and it’s ready to use!
I’ve also tried it with 4 oz soap, 3-4 oz isopropyl alcohol, and the rest water but it makes me cough and I find myself adding water whenever I’ve sprayed a bit and have space at the top.
Ways to Use Dawn Powerwash
Dawn Powerwash can be used for multiple things, not only cleaning dishes. Its powerful degreasing suds help make the tough jobs easier.The DIY version is thinner than the original and if you prefer to use the real thing for your dishes, try the homemade spray for these:
- Remove grease stains from clothes
- Clean stovetop and oven
- Clean stainless steel appliances
- Remove grime from greasy tools
- Clean carpet stains
- Clean windowsills and tracks
- Freshen up shoes
- Outdoor patio furniture
I have never tried to make Gain Powerblast at home. I am excited to try that one next as I love the scent of it! Plus, next on my list is Dawn Foam Pump Dish Soap too – I love the foam of that one.
Let me know if you try making your own Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray!! And share your tips and tricks to save money on cleaning products!
Great
Ty love dyi tips
You’re most welcome MaryBeth! Glad you find it helpful!
Wow, thank you! I have so many empty bottles and was thinking about mixing my own, but couldn’t figure out yet what to use. Will try this recipe.
You’re very welcome Nataliya! Keep us posted on how everything turns out kay?
I love all the tips and ideas these are all great and huge savings in my wallet! Thanks everyone!!
Yay, so happy all these tips help you Jacqlene! Most welcome!
great idea!
I love this ty for the tip!!
Most welcome Lupita!
Thanks so much
You’re most welcome Elise!
First one I tried was Palmolive and I was shocked actually at the cleaning power it had. So much so that I stuck with it until they stopped caring it in my town but I did, however, keep the bottles that it came in and I found that any cleaner I chose to use in those bottles found just as well as the Palmolive dish spray such as Windex awesome Murphy’s oil soap‘s and I am adamant about keeping those bottles safe from my husband because they will end up somewhere in the yard or in the garbage but I love this recipe and I think that because some of the stuff that I clean as a professional. I am going to try this recipe and I am also going to try, awesome OXY because I love the dollar tree cleaner and down because I clean businesses homes anything that a person might need cleaning they usually call me no matter what it is so I have a variety of things that I am a run across in my daily career as a cleaner. I wonder yes taking that water and mixing it with baking soda and down with clog up the spray bottle. I don’t know I’m gonna go to the lab now and have fun catch you guys later. Thanks for the freebies and the tips.
Thank you so much for sharing all of that! You’re most welcome and let us know how it went!
wow, thanks!!!
You’re welcome Sam!
I’ve been making Dawn Powerwash dupe for about a year. I wore out the sprayer from the original container so I picked up a large spray bottle from Dollar Tree. It worked great and I make a large batch. To overcome the thinness I shake the bottle before I spray.
I picked up several more bottles from Dollar Tree. I now have a bottle in the bathrooms, garage, and gardening shed.
I also use a 50/50 ratio of Dawn Dish Soap and vinegar in the same size spray bottle for sink stains, bathroom stains, and build-up.
Happy Cleaning 🌺
Awesome! Thank you so much for the tips! How was the Dawn Dish + vinegar formula btw? I’ve also seen some recipes that use vinegar but I haven’t tried it yet because I’m afraid the smell would be too strong for me lol
I’m sensitive to the smell too. But if you add essential oil ( I’m sensitive to most too, like eucalyptus or peppermint or lemon, it works! I usually spray it. Leave the house. Then come back and wipe it down. Soo easy!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing that Daisy! I have to try it!
I used the mixture of Dawn and vinegar before for shower cleaning. It was the one that had to be mixed with hot vinegar. Oh my, the smell, and it was irritating my eyes too. It is terrible if you are using it in an enclosed area.