Dawn Powerwash Spray Fresh Scent
Lower concern. Liquid cleaner with no known PFAS-prone features.
Dawn Powerwash is a spray cleaner containing surfactants and fragrances. No water-resistant coating, nonstick surface, or stain-resistant treatment applies, reducing PFAS risk typical of some household products.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, surfactants, fragrance, dyes
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Dawn Powerwash Spray Fresh Scent is made of, ingredients and materials
Dawn Powerwash Spray is a water-based liquid cleaner formulated with surfactants (detergents), fragrance, and approved colorants. The active cleaning agents are anionic surfactants derived from petroleum or plant sources, which break down grease and allow water to rinse it away. No silicone coatings, heavy metal pigments, or halogenated flame retardants are inherent to this product class. Fragrance and dyes are the primary chemical additives requiring scrutiny in cleaners.
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 and respiratory irritants
Spray format aerosolizes fragrance compounds; Fresh Scent typically includes limonene, linalool, or other volatile organics that may trigger respiratory sensitivity in users with asthma or fragrance intolerance. Exact fragrance blend is not disclosed on label.
1,4-dioxane in fragrance or surfactant ethoxylates
Anionic surfactant ethoxylates (common in cleaners) can contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of manufacturing. FDA and EPA do not mandate disclosure of trace contaminants under current labeling rules. P&G's Safety Data Sheet does not confirm presence or absence.
Skin and eye irritation from surfactants
Anionic surfactants are mild irritants at concentration in cleaners. Accidental spray contact with eyes or prolonged skin exposure can cause redness and temporary discomfort. Product label includes standard warning for eye irritation.
Trigger and spray mechanism material degradation
Plastic pump triggers and spray nozzles may degrade over 12-24 months of exposure to surfactants and water, leading to leaks or failure. No public data on trigger material safety (BPA/BPS status) is available for this specific product.
Acute toxicity if ingested
Liquid cleaners with surfactants pose moderate risk to children and pets if swallowed. Symptoms include nausea and gastrointestinal upset. Product label includes poison warning and calls for contact with Poison Control if ingestion occurs.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter & Gamble (Dawn's parent) publishes Safety Data Sheets for this product and complies with EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List standards in the US. Dawn products are not known to have triggered consumer safety recalls related to chemical hazards in recent years. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS-free certification but has faced no documented PFAS allegations in spray cleaners. P&G maintains transparency on fragrance components in some products but does not itemize all fragrance ingredients on labels.
How it compares in its category
Spray cleaners in this segment typically contain 1-5% surfactants, water, and fragrance blends. Dawn Powerwash is a mainstream product with an established safety profile comparable to Scrubbing Bubbles, Windex, and store-brand alternatives. Concentrate-based or bar cleaners reduce packaging plastic but require dilution; spray formats prioritize convenience at the cost of higher water content and trigger mechanism complexity. Few spray cleaners in mass market undergo third-party toxicity testing, making brand transparency the primary differentiator.
If you buy it
Use in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of aerosolized fragrance and surfactant particles. Do not spray on skin, eyes, or open wounds; if contact occurs, rinse with water. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent pressure buildup and trigger degradation. Keep away from children and pets. Do not mix with other cleaners, especially bleach or ammonia, as surfactants can amplify off-gassing of toxic fumes.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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
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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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