7 Unexpected Ways to Use Dawn in the Kitchen That Don't Involve Washing Dishes

While it's great at cleaning your dishes, did you know Dawn dish soap can also tackle laundry stains and restore the shine to your jewelry?

Most of us stick to using Dawn dish soap for dishes, but Morgan Eberhard, a senior scientist at Dawn in Cincinnati, Ohio, says you’re missing out on a whole range of other uses for this powerhouse product.

“Dawn’s grease-fighting abilities go far beyond dishes—it’s also perfect for cleaning various spots throughout your home,” Eberhard shares with Dinogo.

Both the classic Platinum dish soap and the Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray (which one Dinogo editor calls “the kitchen essential I can’t live without”) are invaluable for cleaning much more than just your sink area.

7 Ways Blue Dawn Can Simplify Your Kitchen Routine

There’s a reason that iconic blue bottle of liquid is found in kitchens across the country—both at home and in professional settings. And there are plenty of them.

With all the creative ways blue Dawn can be used, it might be time to reconsider it as just 'dish soap' and recognize its full potential.

1. Disinfect Your Countertops

According to Eberhard, the same spray feature in Dawn Powerwash that makes dish cleaning without a full sink easy can also quickly refresh your countertops after a meal. Simply spray the solution on the surface and wipe it down with a clean, damp dish towel. (Dawn confirms that Powerwash is safe for use on granite, porcelain enamel, Corian, quartz, and stainless steel surfaces.)

2. Clean Food Residue Off Jewelry

Add a few drops of Dawn to a bowl of warm water, then drop in any jewelry that’s lost its sparkle or accumulated grime. (We’re sure we’re not the only ones who forget to take off rings before kneading bread dough!) After soaking for a few minutes, your rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings should look as shiny and clean as when you first bought them. Just rinse, dry, and enjoy your rejuvenated accessories.

3. Make Oven Door Cleaning Effortless

To make glass surfaces, like your oven and microwave doors, sparkle, try this simple natural cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of blue Dawn in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the glass, then wipe it clean with paper towels or a dry microfiber cloth.

4. Keep Your Lunchbox Cool

Forget about spending money on fancy ice packs—Dawn soap can help. Fill a zip-top bag with Dawn, seal it tightly, and place it in the freezer. In a couple of hours, you’ll have a DIY reusable ice pack to keep your lunchbox or bento box cool for hours.

5. Prevent Foggy Glasses

Sick of opening your oven or dishwasher and getting hit with a foggy lens? Blue Dawn dish soap can prevent that! Rub a small drop of Dawn on both sides of your glasses, rinse them under running water, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth to keep them clear.

6. Say Goodbye to Cooking Stains

Tomato sauce, chocolate, red wine, and stubborn oil splatters don’t stand a chance against blue dish soap. Next time a spill threatens to turn into a stain, just squeeze a quarter-sized drop of Dawn on it and use your clean fingers to spread the soap over the entire mess (add more soap if needed). This should stop the stain from setting in before you toss it in the wash.

7. Make Your Stainless Steel Appliances Shine

Stainless steel appliances like microwaves, fridges, dishwashers, and toasters are magnets for fingerprints, smudges, and drips. To clean them quickly, dampen a sponge, add a few drops of blue Dawn, then gently scrunch it to spread the suds. Start at the top of the appliance and wipe with the grain of the steel down to the bottom. Use a clean, damp towel or paper towel to remove excess residue, then dry the surface completely with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.