Recipe

DIY Dawn Powerwash Spray

A fast-mixing, grease-busting dish spray you can make with simple pantry staples and use for low-drama cleanup.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.7

A clear dish spray bottle filled with pale blue soapy solution sitting on a bright kitchen counter next to a sponge and a greasy skillet

If your kitchen has ever looked at you after taco night like, good luck, this is for you. Dawn Powerwash is famous for that spray-and-melt-the-grease magic, and while the original is great, I also love having a quick DIY refill in my back pocket. It is simple, it is cheap, and it makes cleanup feel less like a punishment.

This recipe gives you a Dawn Powerwash-style spray using three basics: Dawn dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water. The alcohol helps cut grease and helps the spray sheet and spread. Dawn does the heavy lifting. You do a few swirls and then pretend you always live this organized.

Dawn dish soap, a measuring cup of rubbing alcohol, and a bowl of water arranged on a clean kitchen counter

Why It Works

Helps cut grease fast: great for stovetops, range hoods, backsplash splatter, and that skillet you swore you would soak.
Easy spray coverage: the mix clings just enough to stay put, but still rinses clean for most everyday messes.
Flexible strength: you can make it gentler for daily dishes or slightly stronger for the chaos zones.
Refill friendly: make one bottle, then top it off as needed without thinking too hard.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Where to keep it: Store your DIY spray at room temperature, ideally under the sink or in a cleaning caddy away from kids and pets. Keep it away from heat sources and open flames.

How long it lasts: For best results, remix about monthly. If you notice the mixture separating excessively, smelling off, or the sprayer getting funky, dump it and remix.

Swirl before each use: Not aggressively, just a few gentle flips. Soap likes to settle and it is dramatic about it.

Label it: A quick contents and date label makes the whole under-sink situation feel way less chaotic.

Bottle note: If you are refilling an original Powerwash bottle, rinse it out occasionally so the nozzle does not get gunky.

Common Questions

Is DIY Dawn Powerwash the same as the real one?

Not exactly. The store version uses specific surfactants and solvents designed for spray performance. This DIY version is a Powerwash-style degreasing spray that works really well for most home messes, but it is not a perfect chemical match.

What is the best ratio for a DIY Powerwash refill?

A reliable everyday ratio is:

2 tablespoons Dawn
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol (70% is common)
10 to 12 ounces warm water

This usually lands you in the sweet spot where it sprays nicely, clings to grease, and tends to rinse without leaving much soapy film.

Can I use 91% rubbing alcohol?

Yes. If you use 91%, you can slightly reduce the amount, or keep it the same and just be mindful on delicate surfaces. Either way, do a spot test if you are spraying something finished, painted, or unknown.

What should I NOT use this on?

Natural stone like marble, granite, or soapstone, especially if unsealed. If sealed, use sparingly, do not let it sit, and rinse well.
Unfinished wood or butcher block you have not sealed
Cast iron or carbon steel that you are trying to keep seasoned
Some painted surfaces and specialty finishes

When in doubt, spot test and do not let it sit.

Is it safe for nonstick pans?

Generally yes for washing, but do not let it soak for a long time and avoid abrasive scrubbers. Spray, wait a minute, wipe, rinse.

Can I mix it with vinegar or bleach?

Skip both. Do not mix this with bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or random cleaners. This recipe is designed to work with just Dawn, rubbing alcohol, and water. If you are dealing with hard water buildup, use vinegar separately as a rinse or wipe, then rinse with water, rather than combining it in the bottle.

How do I keep it from being too foamy or not spraying well?

If it is too foamy or clogs the sprayer, use a little less soap next time and mix by gently swirling, not shaking. If it feels weak, let it sit on the grease for 30 to 60 seconds, use warmer wash water, or bump the soap up slightly.

A hand holding a spray bottle misting a greasy skillet in a sink with warm light from a nearby kitchen window

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Clean spray bottle (or an empty Powerwash bottle)
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Funnel (optional but saves your sanity)
Sponge or dish brush

I am a big believer that cooking should be fun and that cleanup should be… tolerable. The first time I used Powerwash, I watched baked-on grease loosen up like it got a sudden personality change. So of course I tried a DIY refill, because I love a kitchen shortcut almost as much as I love crispy edges.

Now I keep a bottle under the sink for the everyday messes, like sheet-pan drips and stovetop splatter. It is not glamorous, but it is one of those small home moves that makes you feel like you have your life together, even if dinner was boxed mac and cheese with extra butter.