Dawn Free & Clear Power Wash Pear Scent Refill
Lower concern liquid cleanser; no known PFAS risk for this category.
Dawn Power Wash is a liquid dish soap with no typical PFAS application. Brand does not disclose PFAS status, but the product category carries minimal historical concern for fluorochemicals.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, anionic/nonionic surfactants, fragrance, preservatives
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Dawn Free & Clear Power Wash Scent Refill is made of, ingredients and materials
Dawn Free & Clear Power Wash is a water-based liquid detergent formulated with anionic and nonionic surfactants that break down grease and oils. The "Free & Clear" line removes dyes and perfumes from the original formula, reducing potential skin irritants in the surfactant mixture. Fragrance (pear scent) and preservatives are present but at concentrations typical for rinse-off dish products. No intentional coating, resin, or ceramic treatment is involved, so hazards associated with cookware enamel or plastic polymer degradation do not apply.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens (residual pear scent compounds)
Even in a "Free & Clear" product, trace fragrance is typically present. Individual sensitivity varies; occupational exposure (frequent hand washing) may accumulate contact dermatitis risk in susceptible individuals.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid detergents require antimicrobial preservatives; no public disclosure on which specific agents Dawn uses in this formulation. Rinse-off exposure is brief, limiting risk, but individuals with contact dermatitis should test on small area first.
Source, ATSDR ↗Surfactant skin/eye irritation (residual on hands or splashing)
Anionic and nonionic surfactants are mildly irritating at concentrations in liquid detergents. This is expected and disclosed on product label; risk is low with rinse-off use and typical handling.
Acute ingestion risk (children or pets)
Liquid detergents are a known source of poisoning calls when ingested. Keep out of reach of children and pets per label instructions. No special formulation in this variant changes inherent toxicity of surfactants.
What’s reassuring
Inhalation of spray or aerosol mist (if product is aerosolized)
This is a liquid refill pour product, not an aerosol spray, so inhalation hazard from propellant or mist is not applicable. Pour-use carries negligible respiratory risk.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter & Gamble (owner of Dawn) has not publicly positioned this product around PFAS avoidance, but the liquid detergent category carries lower inherent PFAS risk than fabric treatments or water-repellent coatings. P&G maintains safety data sheets and compliance with U.S. EPA and FDA regulations for household cleaners. No product recalls or established safety controversies specific to this formulation are on record. The "Free & Clear" branding reflects removal of dyes and fragrance allergens, not a comprehensive reformulation.
How it compares in its category
Liquid dish detergents are generally lower-hazard than solid bars or pods (which concentrate surfactants and risk ingestion). Dawn competes in a commodity market where all major brands (Seventh Generation, Ecos, store brands) use similar surfactant chemistry and preservative systems. The omission of dyes in this variant aligns with consumer preference for reduced irritant load, though efficacy and hazard profile remain comparable to fragrance-based alternatives. Rinse-off products pose minimal skin or inhalation risk compared to no-rinse surface cleaners.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from heat or direct sunlight to prevent preservative degradation. Use as directed on the label and rinse cookware and hands thoroughly after contact. The product is designed for warm water; no need to heat it separately. If skin irritation occurs (even with the fragrance-free formulation), discontinue use and rinse with water. No special maintenance or replacement schedule applies beyond normal use until empty.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Dawn has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- plant-derived surfactants, water, botanical extracts
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Fragrance allergens (botanical origin)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens (essential oil)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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85Method Gel Dish Soap, Lime + Sea SaltCompare vs Ecos →All dish soap →How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.