Dawn Clears Up the Mystery: Here’s Why Dish Soap Is Blue

While testing out some of Dawn’s most unexpected uses—and putting those clever hacks to the test—we found ourselves asking, why exactly is Dawn dish soap blue?

The iconic blue Dawn Original is the classic favorite, the one you remember seeing on the kitchen counter as a child (not to mention those heartwarming wildlife rescue ads). Dawn also offers a variety of colors, from the clear Dawn Ultra Free & Clear to the vibrant Dawn Antibacterial Orange, green-hued Dawn Antibacterial Apple Blossom, the rosy Dawn Gentle Clean Pomegranate & Rose Water, and of course, the blue Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray.

With so many different options on the shelves, we couldn’t stop until we uncovered the truth behind these colors—what they signify and whether any of them do a better job of cutting through grease.

Morgan Eberhard, a senior scientist at Dawn based in Cincinnati, Ohio, tells us that when Dawn first launched in 1972, the team wanted a way to stand out from other dish soaps on the market. They chose blue because it symbolized the soap's exceptional grease-cutting power, and after testing several colors with users, blue came out on top.

What Makes Dawn Dish Soap Blue?

According to Eberhard, Dawn’s 'clear blue' color was not only distinctive but also resonated with consumers, being favored two-to-one over other shades available at the time—even when compared to competitors on the market.

That signature blue has since become a symbol of the Dawn brand, representing purity and cleanliness, a fact confirmed by a Dawn spokesperson speaking exclusively with Dinogo.

The spokesperson explains that blue is closely linked with cleanliness and freshness, qualities that are central to the brand’s mission when creating Dawn products.

Which Dish Soap Color Cleans the Best?

When it comes to tackling tough grime and taking dishes from greasy to sparkling, Eberhard confirms that the deeper blue of Dawn Platinum delivers the strongest cleaning power. It removes grease four times faster than the regular Dawn non-concentrated formula and can eliminate up to 99% of grease and food residue.

However, the color isn't what makes the difference. It's the concentrated formula of Platinum, which packs more of the key grease-busting ingredients known as 'surfactants.'

Eberhard explains that surfactants have dual properties: a water-loving head and a water-hating tail. The water-loving heads stick to the water, while the tails attach to grease. Since water and oil don't mix, the tails latch onto the grease on your dishes, allowing the surfactants to lift it off and wash it away.

Surfactants come in various sizes, strengths, and charges, all of which affect their ability to cut through grease and food residue. After significant research, Eberhard says Dawn’s scientists developed a unique blend of biodegradable surfactants that get dishes squeaky clean in less time.

Interestingly, Dawn Platinum isn't the top performer. That honor goes to Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray, which is slightly more effective, plus it excels in efficiency and water conservation.

According to Eberhard, the three cleaning boosters in Powerwash Dish Spray break down and lift grease five times faster. Just spray, wait a bit, wipe, and rinse—no need for water until the final rinse. This method uses 50% less water than traditional hand washing with non-concentrated dish soap.

Looking at the rest of the Dawn range, the clear, green, orange, and pink variants all perform equally well, ranking third in effectiveness. They're just as capable of killing bacteria on your hands and tackling tough residues like scrambled eggs or stubborn bacon bits.

Now that you know why Dawn dish soap is blue and how the different colors and formulas compare, be sure to check out our genius hack for easily removing baked-on food and the two-minute trick to prevent dirty dishes from piling up—both will make dishwashing feel like a breeze.