Problem Solving Great Products

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid – Product Review

a hand holding a bottle of dawn dishwashing liquid

I’ve been using Dawn Dishwashing Liquid for years, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best dish soaps available on the market. I particularly like it for cleaning greasy pots and pans. Read this product review to discover some unusual uses for the grease cutting power of this liquid detergent.

Cleaning Power:

The key strength of Dawn is its ability to cut through grease and grime. A little bit goes a long way, and it effectively removes even the toughest food residues — whether it’s leftover oils from frying or sticky sauces. I use a little dab of it to clean my iron skillet. Dawn Dishwashing liquid gets the oil and sticky residue out of the pan without hurting the seasoned nature of the skillet.

Scent:

The fragrance of Dawn is subtle and fresh, never overpowering. The original blue variety is nice, but they also offer other scents, like lavender or apple, that provide a pleasant yet light aroma while washing. I especially like the Apple fragrance.

Environmental Considerations:

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is known for being tough on grease but also for caring about the environment. They’ve partnered with wildlife organizations, and many of their products feature biodegradable formulas. While it’s not completely “green,” they do take steps to make the product safer for the planet, which I appreciate. The label clearly states “Contains no phosphate”.

Value for Money:

Dawn is priced reasonably, and considering how long a single bottle lasts, it’s a great value. One small drop can wash multiple dishes, so it stretches really well. The product is available in a variety of larger, more economical refill sizes than the small bottle shown in the picture.

Unique Uses for Dawn Liquid Soap

As a Stain Pre-Treatment

I use Dawn liquid to pre-treat stains on clothing, especially when I know the stain is caused by something oily spilling on my clothes. As long as the clothing item is washer-safe and colorfast, I have never had a problem with using this method. I just dot the Dawn Dishwashing liquid directly on the stain, then rub it in with my finger to make sure it is absorbed into the fiber. Usually just one treatment will remove the stain, but I’ve used it multiple times when I get a tough to remove spot.

dawn dish soap rubbed into laundry stain for removal

To learn more about removing laundry stains using Dawn Dishwashing liquid, and so see a series of pictures showing successful stain removal, please see: Best Laundry Stain Removal Product.

Another laundry related article that may be of interest to you: Stinky Washing Machine – How Do I Fix This?

To Clean My Jewelry

Sometimes jewelry tends to get dull after it is worn for a while. I’m not talking about tarnish on Sterling Silver pieces, but just general grunge. Dawn liquid is great at removing body oils and personal care products (lotions, conditioners, etc.) that can build up on necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.

I fill a small tray or shallow bowl with the hottest water I can stand to put my fingers into, put a dot of Dawn liquid on an old soft toothbrush, then softly scrub the surface of the jewelry item. I’ve even used this method on freshwater pearls and have never had an issue. Note that I would not use this method on soft, porous stones like Turquoise or on anything I suspected to be dyed. This method works particularly well with diamond or sapphire rings to get residue out of the bezel settings.

how to clean jewelry dawn dishwashing liquid

For a more detailed article about fast methods of cleaning your jewelry, please see How to Clean Jewelry – 2 Quick & Easy Methods.

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
View on Amazon
$3.94 ($0.18 / Fl Oz)

The link will take you to a 22 ounce container of Dawn Liquid should last you a long time and comes in a container that rests on the cap, making it easy to use every last drop of the product. (Sorry that my image does not currently match - the Amazon tag would not update the image for some reason).

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
05/05/2025 01:13 am GMT

Looking for Dawn Dishwashing Spray Instead?

If you’d like to see more information about easy-to-use Dawn Dishwashing Spray, please see our post on that great product.

Product links mentioned above are provided for your convenience. We may earn a commission when you follow these links, which helps us research and review more useful information for future posts.