9 surprising things you can clean brilliantly with Dawn Powerwash – including garden tools, barbecues, shoes and more

Dawn Powerwash, which started as a simple dish-cleaning spray, has quickly become every professional cleaner's secret weapon.

The bottle’s spray mechanism holds its superpower, as the soap doesn't require any water to form a lather. The result is pure, concentrated grease-busting foam ready for cleaning and polishing even the grimiest of home surfaces.

Here, our pros share their cleaning tips and favorite, surprising ways to use Dawn Powerwash.

9 things to clean with Dawn Powerwash

1. Garden tools

Cleaning garden tools is not the easiest of tasks, but it must be done to keep them sharp and efficient for longer. For this, Scott Schrader, professional cleaning expert at CottageCare recommends using Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, available at Walmart, to help break through dried dirt and sticky sap with ease.

'Caked-on dirt and plant residue come off easily with a quick spray of Dawn Powerwash,' he explains. 'Its surfactants cut through organic buildup and rinse clean without harming metal or rubber parts.'

Cleaning and disinfecting tools like this can also help prevent the spread of diseases around your garden.

2. Stainless steel

Stainless steel is not always as ‘stainless’ as the name suggests, and kitchen and bathroom faucets can quickly become coated in limescale, watermarks, and other deposits such as toothpaste or food particles. Dawn Powerwash soap can be used to bust through tough marks and clean a stainless steel sink or hardware in half the time it takes regular, diluted soap – all without the use of harsh, abrasive cleaners.

Ivan Ivanov, cleaning expert from End of Tenancy Cleaning says, ‘Because most household faucets are metal, corrosion through extended usage can occur. Use Dawn Powerwash and a soft microfiber cloth [such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Cloth available at Walmart] instead of a scouring pad, as this will rub off more metal and cause your faucet to rust.

‘Gently wash the grime from the faucet using the soft cloth, run the faucet, and you should notice results within seconds.’

3. Carpets and rugs

While you shouldn’t have to clean area rugs or deep clean carpets more than once or twice a year, spot-cleaning marks and stains quickly can protect your carpets in the long term, and keep them looking and smelling fresh.

Rather than using expensive chemical cleaners, however, gentle cleansers like Dawn Powerwash can be used to lift fresh stains without much effort at all.

Daniel Prendergast, carpet expert at The Rug Seller, advises, ‘Stains should always be tackled as soon as they happen – time really is of the essence when it comes to removing spillages so mop us as much as the stain as possible and never allow it to dry into the rug.'

Once the soap has been used to lift the stain, make sure to wash the suds out with water to prevent further marking or sticky patches. While you can clean a carpet without a machine, you can also use the BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner available at Amazon to quickly and effectively remove stains and odors.

Daniel warns, ‘When cleaning floor coverings, especially those that are light in color, it is always best to seek advice from the manufacturer or care label with regards to the specific products that you can use on a stain. You should always patch-test an inconspicuous area first, too.'

Be mindful too that dish soap can often be toxic to cats, so clearing the suds immediately after cleaning will help keep your furry friends safe.

4. Appliances and dishes

Given its original application as dish soap, it should be obvious that Dawn Powerwash can be used on appliances and food dishes in and around the kitchen. One of the most common applications is to use it to clean an air fryer without scrubbing.

Cleaning expert Ivan advises, ‘Using a soft sponge and some soap, remove the tray from the air fryer once cooled, and use your finger to gently scrub all available areas.

‘If your finger is too large, or the mess is a bit too stuck on, use an old toothbrush instead.' If you don't have one lying around, you can also use a small scrubbing brush, such as the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set available at Amazon.

'Use whatever works best for you, provided you’re cleaning effectively but not pushing so hard as to remove any of the coatings on the inside of the air fryer tray,' adds Ivan.

Additionally, refresh your cutting boards or clean your baking sheet or best kitchen knives with a spray of Dawn Powerwash.

If caring for a wooden cutting board, however, don't allow the soap to sit. Instead, apply the soap and gently scrub with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge, such as the Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scrub Sponges available at Walmart, before rinsing and thoroughly drying to prevent warping the wood.

You can also use Dawn Powerwash for tackling and sanitizing your pet bowls, too, which are also among the unexpected things you can clean in the dishwasher. Always rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward.

5. Shoes

One way of freshening up footwear is to wash shoes in the washing machine, but if you can't wash sneakers in the machine, then Dawn Powerwash is the perfect solution for dried-on grime, tough stains, and even bad odors.

'It’s great for cleaning rubber or synthetic soles,' says cleaning expert Scott. 'Spray, scrub with a soft brush, and rinse.' We recommend this Shoe Brush, available at Amazon, for this.

'It lifts dirt and grease without damaging the material,' adds Scott.

Make sure to test the soap on an inconspicuous area of the shoe first, as not all materials – like suede, for instance, will not fare well when exposed to excessive soap or scrubbing.

6. Kitchen grease

When cleaning a kitchen, sometimes homemade kitchen cleaners don’t quite cut through baked-on grease and tough oil marks – especially if you are a regular home cook.

The dirty hidden areas of the kitchen we forget to clean, like around range hoods and extractor fans, can sometimes suffer from a build-up of grease and fat that has traveled on cooking steam, leaving a sticky mess that is hard to get rid of.

For this, Taylor Riley, partner at GermSmart Commercial Cleaning, recommends Dawn Powerwash. 'I use Dawn Powerwash as an all-purpose cleaner for countertops, especially in the kitchen,' he says. 'The foaming action clings to the surface and helps loosen food splatter and grease easily.

'It is safe on almost all surfaces, like laminate, quartz, or granite – though on natural stone, I always follow up with a water wipe down just to be safe.'

If you're particularly worried, you can always use a specifically formulated product, such as the Weiman Granite Cleaner & Polish available at Walmart, for this.

7. Windows

You might know how to clean a window, but did you know that Dawn Powerwash is actually a great product for getting that spotless shine?

'This product cuts through fingerprints, smudges, and light grease or grime buildup,' says cleaning expert Taylor. 'Best of all, it doesn’t leave behind any streaks.

'All you need to do is get a cup or bowl of water and mix in a few sprays of Dawn. Then use a microfiber towel with the solution to scrub the windows. If you have a window squeegee all you need to do is scrape off the solution and you're done. If not, you can use a dry microfiber towel to achieve the same results.'

The MR.SIGA Professional Window Cleaning Combo available at Amazon combines the two, with a durable natural rubber blade and a thick microfiber cover.

Don't forget about cleaning your window tracks, too – they're easily one of the dirtiest places in your home. Simply spray Dawn Powerwash around the track and scrub with a small Scrub Brush, available at Amazon, or an old toothbrush.

8. Grills

Cleaning grills and cleaning grill grates can be messy, and sometimes requires hard scrubbing to remove charred food and burnt grease. The good news, however, is that the concentrated soap formula of Dawn Powerwash helps to effortlessly break down the grime.

Cleaning expert Scott advises, 'For greasy grill grates, Dawn Powerwash breaks down burnt-on food and fat quickly. Spray while the grill is warm (not hot), let sit, then scrub and rinse.'

The GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper available at Amazon is a top-rated product for the job.

9. Trash cans

Finally, cleaning expert Scott recommends a spritz of Dawn Powerwash for cleaning a trash can.

'Spray directly inside your bin, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse,' he recommends. 'It cuts odors and grease fast – no harsh chemicals needed.'

Where to find Dawn Powerwash in the US

• Target
• Walmart
• Amazon
• Home Depot

FAQs

What should you not use Dawn Powerwash on? 

When using Dawn Powerwash, you should avoid porous surfaces such when cleaning marble countertops, for example, and other soft natural stones or untreated wood. It is also best to keep Dawn Powerwash away from painted surfaces, too.

Always make sure to test new cleaning products on inconspicuous areas of surfaces first.

How is Dawn Powerwash different from regular Dawn? 

Dawn Powerwash contains rubbing alcohol, making it slightly more potent than regular Dawn dish soap. While the rest of the formula is the same, the addition of rubbing alcohol makes the spray more effective at removing stains and helps it to form a lather without adding water, allowing you to use the spray easily around the house and without diluting the soap's concentration.

Meet our experts

Scott Schrader

Professioanal cleaning expert Scott has over 10 years of experience in home and outdoor cleaning, and describes Dawn Powerwash as one of his 'go-to' products.

Taylor Riley

Taylor is a partner at GermSmart Commercial Cleaning in Brooklyn, New York,. He has also co-founded a successful cleaning business, and founded Boom Facility Service Advisors, where he provides consultation and training for cleaning business owners. He has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Clean Biz Network, and more.

'Dawn is convenient, fast, and perfect for a quick clean without needing multiple cleaning products,' says cleaning expert Taylor.

Next, why not try a dish soap window condensation hack or making a dish soap solution for streak-free windows.