Is Dawn Dish Soap pH Neutral?

When it comes to reliable cleaning products, especially dish soap, one that springs to mind right away is Dawn Dish Soap. But what can you expect from Dawn in terms of its basic levels and acidity? Is it anywhere close to neutral, or does Dawn lean in one direction or the other?

So, is Dawn Dish Soap pH neutral? No, Dawn Dish Soap is not entirely pH neutral. However, it comes close to that level, given that Dawn has a pH level of 8-9, and 7-8 is considered to be pH neutral. This means that Dawn Dish Soap is slightly basic, but it is very close to neutrality.

But what does pH neutral even mean, and why is this something to pursue in a cleaning product? In this article, we will address everything that you need to know about pH levels and why they matter, including how you might find out if your dish soap is pH neutral. Let’s get started!

What Does pH Neutral Mean?

pH neutral is a phrase that describes an entirely neutral liquid item- we consider water as the most neutral substance. pH levels are designed to measure the acidity and base components of a liquid substance, and you may want to know why pH levels matter the next time you clean something!

Having a product that is higher on the pH scale means that it has more basic qualities and is likely alkali in origin. On the opposite end of the scale, some substances that are low in pH are considered acidic- something you don’t necessarily want in your cleaning products.

Some examples of basic liquids that are high on the pH scale include:

  • Soap
  • Drain cleaners
  • Bleach
  • Ammonia
  • Baking soda

Some examples of acidic liquids that are low on the pH scale include:

  • Lemon juice
  • Coffee
  • Vinegar
  • Milk

Check out our detailed article that includes a full list of pH Neutral cleaners: List of pH Neutral Cleaners (The Ultimate Guide)

Is Dawn a Neutral Detergent?

Technically speaking, Dawn is not a neutral detergent. However, it comes close, given that it has a pH level of roughly 8-9, depending. Since a true neutral product would need a pH level of 7 and no more than 8, Dawn is close to being a neutral detergent!

Why Would You Want a Cleaner to be pH Neutral?

Desiring a pH neutral cleaning product isn’t out of the ordinary. In fact, pH neutral cleaning products are prized in a variety of settings because they are likely to leave behind less residue than other types of cleaners. This also means that pH neutral cleaners are less likely to damage or corrode specific surface types, such as wood or metals.

Not only does this mean that pH neutral cleaners are easier to clean up and less likely to cause slippery or sticky situations. It also means that your pH balanced cleaner is less likely to irritate the skin, eyes, and more. It is a more reliable cleaner for this reason- if you frequently have allergic reactions to products, you may want to seek out a more pH balanced product!

How Do You Know If a Detergent Is pH Neutral?

Chances are, your favorite cleaning company isn’t advertising that their detergent or cleaning product is pH neutral. However, a quick internet search of the specific product you have should reveal the answer! You can also take a guess at the neutrality of your cleaning product based on the list of ingredients. Some ingredients may jump out at you as either basic or acidic, and you can use this common knowledge to determine pH level.

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In addition, you can also purchase pH test strips and test your product at home. I highly recommend these simple strips from Lab Aide® they are easy to use and highly affordable! All you have to do is dip the paper into the desired product for testing, and watch as the strip changes color to the most accurate pH level!

Final Thoughts

While Dawn Dish Detergent isn’t entirely pH neutral, it certainly comes close! This means that Dawn Dish Soap doesn’t leave very much residue behind and it is a great product for people suffering from skin allergies. It’s easy to find the pH levels of a variety of products online so that you can keep your home clean, healthy, and safe!

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