Dawn Ultra Apple Blossom
Liquid dish soap with no known PFAS use; lower concern.
Dawn Ultra is a conventional liquid detergent with surfactants. No PFAS disclosed or typical for this product type; no third-party testing available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, sodium lauryl sulfate, cleaning agents
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Dawn Ultra Apple Blossom is made of, ingredients and materials
Dawn Ultra Apple Blossom is a liquid dish soap formulated primarily with water and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a surfactant that breaks down grease and oils. SLS is widely used in consumer cleaning products and is approved for food-contact surfaces in the United States. The 'Apple Blossom' scent is a fragrance blend; no formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or 1,4-dioxane contamination is documented for this product line. Liquid dish soaps in this category typically contain small amounts of dyes and fragrance compounds, but these are rinsed away immediately during use.
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.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) skin irritation
SLS is a known irritant at high concentrations; however, in liquid dish soap formulations it is diluted by users and rinsed immediately, substantially reducing exposure risk. Individuals with eczema or very sensitive skin may experience mild irritation with prolonged contact.
Fragrance allergens (Apple Blossom blend)
Fragrances in consumer products are proprietary blends and not fully disclosed by manufacturers. Common allergens in fruity scents include limonene and linalool; no specific sensitization incidents documented for this product, but fragrance-sensitive individuals should test on hands first or choose unscented variants.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of formaldehyde releasers or formaldehyde itself in Dawn Ultra formulations; modern liquid soaps typically use safer preservative systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Liquid dish soaps are subject to FDA food-contact substance regulations; any colorants used must meet approved safety thresholds. No documented heavy metal contamination in this product line.
Source, FDA ↗1,4-dioxane contamination (manufacturing residue)
1,4-dioxane can be a trace byproduct in ethoxylated surfactants if manufacturing controls are poor; no independent testing or reports of 1,4-dioxane in Dawn products are on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter and Gamble (Dawn's parent company) does not publicly disclose PFAS-specific testing data for Dawn products, but no PFAS presence has been detected or reported in independent or regulatory testing of liquid dish soaps in this class. The brand has faced historical scrutiny over ingredient transparency but currently complies with FDA labeling and safety standards. No recalls related to chemical contamination have been issued for Dawn Ultra formulations in recent records.
How it compares in its category
Liquid dish soaps are among the lower-risk consumer products because they are designed for immediate rinse-off and do not remain in contact with skin or food. Dawn Ultra is formulated at higher surfactant concentration than basic versions, making it more effective per drop but chemically similar. Plant-based or EWG-verified alternatives exist but offer no documented safety advantage for this rinse-off application; sodium lauryl sulfate is the industry standard for degreasing performance.
If you buy it
Use as directed, dilute in warm water for hand dishwashing, or load directly into automatic dispensers. No special storage precautions are required; keep at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve fragrance stability. Rinse all dishes thoroughly under running water to remove soap residue. For individuals with fragrance sensitivity or sensitive skin, consider unscented or hypoallergenic variants; otherwise, standard usage poses no known chemical concern.
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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- 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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