Dawn Vs Dollar Tree: We Tested If A Discount Dish Spray Dupe Holds Up To The Brand Name
If you love a dupe or money-saving option when it comes to cleaning supplies, you've likely come across comparisons on TikTok or similar platforms that review Dollar Tree brands against bigger-name items. Some of these dupes flop when put up against the well-known brands, but a few come out on top and might even edge out the preferred cleaning products in your home. The only way to discern if a Dollar Tree dupe is going to work is to try it, which is exactly what I decided to do with the Brillo Basics Dish Spray dupe, which social media users say works just as well as, if not better than, Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, and it seemed worthwhile to find out once and for all.
While it may not be Dollar Tree's own brand, the Brillo dish spray can be found on the store's shelves for the low price of $1.25 for a 10-fluid-ounce bottle, making it a bargain already at about $0.13 per fluid ounce. The Dawn dish spray at Dollar Tree costs $5 for 16 fluid ounces, or about $0.31 per fluid ounce. Saving a little money doesn't seem like a bad thing, and that's why the Brillo spray has been rated and reviewed online by those who dig a dupe. Many people note that the cleaning power, the thickness of the soap spray, and the overall product is just as good as Dawn, so I decided to test this theory out on both a pan and the sink after washing up, too.
A less expensive alternative to tough-cleaning dish soap
People use Dawn Powerwash on everything from their dishes (of course) to their sticky shelves and surfaces. While it was invented with dishes in mind, the ingredients, like denatured alcohol, which is meant to boost the soap's cleaning properties, help to cut through food, oils, and grease. It is actually extremely tough on a variety of surfaces, and the thick, viscous spray that comes out helps to coat items thoroughly so you can scrub away anything from sauces and oils to caked-on food and even dirt. Dawn really appeals to those who prefer a quick wash rather than soaking plates and cookware — and letting items soak for long periods is discouraged anyway, as germs and bacteria can hang out and multiply in your sink.
While Dawn is certainly a well-known name, the Brillo brand has been around since the early 1900s. Best known for its scouring pads, the company now offers a variety of cleaning products, including its Brillo Basics Dish Spray. With the product's 4.6-star average rating on the Dollar Tree website, and reviews raving about the spray (from oven cleanings to the nontoxic scent), it seems most consumers are sold on the budget-friendly option. Even when I went to purchase a bottle, the cashier asked me if I had tried it before and mentioned she wanted to swap out her Dawn dish spray for the Brillo brand, mainly due to how stiff the trigger is on the former.
Brillo holds up against Dawn's brand name
I purchased both the Dawn and the Brillo sprays at Dollar Tree, and once I got both home, I waited until I had cooked eggs with a decent amount of oil to test them out. I decided to spray both products on one pan, side by side. The Brillo spray came out thick, just like the Dawn spray, and the products would have been impossible to tell apart if I hadn't noted which side was which. I used a wet sponge to wipe off the grease and oil, and on both sides, all of the residue came away with one swipe. After rinsing, the pan was clean with just a quick scrub — no need for another application of soap. The Brillo bottle trigger was a lot easier to pull than Dawn's, which confirmed the Dollar Tree teller's comment.
Keeping stainless steel appliances clean with Dawn is a big trend, but I wanted to try both sprays on the sink as well to clear away any grease and food left by the dishes. For this test, I used the Brillo spray separately from Dawn, on just one part of the sink. It cut through residue and left the stainless steel clean as a whistle. The Dawn spray held up on the other portion of the sink. During this test, I noted the Brillo spray seemed a little less thick, but a second pump gave me more than enough cleaner to wipe the basin with.
Brillo is less expensive but just as good as Dawn
Not only did the Brillo dish spray hold up against Dawn, but the bottle was easier to use and the price certainly helped. The scent of Brillo is subtle, too, so it makes for a good cleaner that won't overpower the senses or leave a lingering smell. The quick clean provided by the spray makes it an easy choice, especially when we have just a few dirty dishes to tidy and don't want to bother with the dishwasher (which we rarely use as it is). There was no greasy film on any of the dishware after using the Brillo spray either, which I appreciated. While many people would rather DIY a powerful dishwashing soap to save money, just grab a bottle of the Dollar Tree dupe that gives a great clean.
When it comes to testing Dollar Tree's dupes against products like The Pink Stuff or Dawn Dish Spray, the cheaper version won't always win, but oftentimes, it's worth trying the dupe. I'll definitely continue to use the Brillo brand and save money, especially since it really cleaned every item I tested and was simple and efficient to use. And to the teller at Dollar Tree, you will definitely prefer the spray bottle should you ever read this!