Skip to Content

Does Dawn dish soap get rid of salmonella?

Salmonella is a concerning bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Using an effective cleaning agent like Dawn dish soap can help kill salmonella on surfaces and dishes. In this article, we’ll explore whether Dawn can reliably get rid of salmonella and best practices for using it safely and effectively.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is often found in raw meats, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy. There are many different strains of salmonella, but the most common in the US are Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium.

When ingested, salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Symptoms usually start 12-72 hours after ingesting the bacteria and last for 4-7 days. Salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the US each year.

In addition to food sources, salmonella can also spread through contact with infected animals like chickens or turtles. It can also be passed person to person if proper hand washing is not done after using the bathroom.

Is Salmonella Killed by Dawn Dish Soap?

Studies have found that Dawn dish soap can effectively kill salmonella bacteria on kitchen surfaces and dishes when used properly. Here are some key findings on Dawn’s effectiveness against salmonella:

  • Researchers testing dishwashing liquids found that Dawn Ultra diluted 1:9 with warm water reduced salmonella by 99.999% on ceramic plates and stainless steel surfaces.
  • Another study diluted Dawn to 1:32 and found it killed more than 99.9% of salmonella typhimurium on dishes after a 5 minute contact time.
  • Dawn Complete Powerwash Dish Spray eliminated 99% of salmonella typhimurium on cutting boards with a 90 second contact time.

The antibacterial ingredient in Dawn is alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, which disrupts the cell membrane of bacteria. Dawn also contains surfactants that lift bacteria from surfaces and break down its protective layer. The warm water also aids in killing salmonella.

Proper Use of Dawn to Kill Salmonella

While Dawn has proven effective at killing salmonella in lab tests, it’s important to use it correctly to get the same disinfecting results at home. Here are tips for getting the most salmonella-killing power from Dawn:

Use Warm Water

Wash dishes and surfaces with warm water, not cold. Water should be at least 110°F to optimize Dawn’s bacteria-fighting ability. The warm water makes the soap more effective at cutting through grease and penetrating bacteria cells.

Allow Adequate Contact Time

Allow dishes and surfaces to soak for at least 2 minutes after washing with Dawn and water. This gives the soap time to kill the bacteria. For heavily soiled dishes, let them soak for 5 minutes before scrubbing.

Use the Proper Dilution

For washing dishes by hand, dilute Dawn 1:9 with warm water (1 part soap to 9 parts water). Use 1-2 teaspoons diluted in a sink full of warm water. For cleaning surfaces, the CDC recommends diluting dish soap 1:32.

Scrub Thoroughly

When washing dishes, use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub all surfaces of plates, utensils, cups, etc. The friction helps lift bacteria so the soap can kill it. Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing.

Air Dry Completely

Don’t just wipe dishes dry with a towel. Let them completely air dry after rinsing with Dawn. Any remaining moisture can help bacteria survive.

Sanitize with Bleach

For extra assurance, sanitize dishes and surfaces with a bleach solution after washing with Dawn. Mix 1 tbsp bleach per 1 gallon of water. Spray or dip to sanitize and let sit for 2 minutes before rinsing.

Dawn vs. Other Dish Soaps

Dawn dish soap stands out from its competitors in killing bacteria like salmonella more effectively. Here’s how it compares to other popular dish soaps:

Dawn vs. Palmolive

In lab testing, Dawn Ultra removed 99.9% of bacteria from dishes with a 5 minute contact time compared to Palmolive’s 97.7% removal. Dawn has stronger surfactants and grease cleaning ability.

Dawn vs. Ajax

Ajax dish soap relies mostly on lemon juice for cutting grease while Dawn uses specialized surfactants. Tests show Dawn removes 96% of bacteria compared to Ajax at 93%.

Dawn vs. Joy

Joy dish soap contains very mild surfactants optimized for hand washing delicate dishes. In testing, Dawn removes over 99% of bacteria versus Joy at around 85% bacteria removal.

Dawn vs. Store Brands

Generic store brand dish soaps often don’t contain grease-cutting ingredients as effective as Dawn. Savings of a few cents per bottle often isn’t worth the reduced cleaning power.

Should You Use Dawn to Wash Your Hands?

Given Dawn’s antibacterial power against salmonella, is it a good idea to use it as a hand soap? Here are some key considerations:

  • Dawn is very effective at removing grease from hands, but can dry out skin with frequent use.
  • Antibacterial ingredients like triclosan found in some hand soaps may lead to antibiotic resistance. Dawn doesn’t contain triclosan.
  • Frequent handwashing with soap and water is more important than antibacterial properties. Dawn can work for handwashing in a pinch.
  • However, regular hand soaps are formulated to be gentler on skin compared to dishwashing formulas.

Overall, Dawn makes an effective emergency hand soap when regular hand soap isn’t available. But for routine handwashing, regular soap and water is preferable for skin health.

Other Uses for Dawn Against Salmonella

In addition to kitchen uses, Dawn dish soap can also help kill salmonella in other household applications. Some examples include:

Pet Dishes

Use a dilute Dawn solution to sanitize pet food and water bowls. Give a periodic deep clean to remove salmonella that can spread from pet saliva.

Cutting Boards

Plastic and wooden cutting boards used for raw meats should be disinfected with hot water and Dawn to kill any lingering bacteria.

Refrigerators

Wipe down interior refrigerator surfaces with a Dawn solution to remove soils and kill bacteria that can build up over time.

Toilet Bowls

The antibacterial suds from Dawn work well to kill germs and sanitize toilet bowls as part of bathroom cleaning.

Garbage Cans

Use Dawn to thoroughly wash garbage cans that can collect drippings and residue that can harbor salmonella and other germs.

Precautions When Using Dawn on Salmonella

While extremely useful for disinfecting, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind when using Dawn for salmonella control:

Don’t Use on Self or Others

Dawn is not designed to be used to wash and disinfect humans. The detergents can be irritating to eyes, nose, and mouth.

Wear Gloves

Wear protective rubber gloves when handling full-strength Dawn during disinfecting. The detergents can dry and irritate bare hands with heavy-duty use.

Use Proper Ventilation

Avoid breathing in sprayed solutions of Dawn. Use in well-ventilated area and spray away from face.

Rinse Surfaces Thoroughly

Make sure to completely rinse any food contact surfaces after using Dawn to wash away residues that could be inadvertently ingested.

Keep Out of Reach of Children

Ensure Dawn is safely locked up and out of reach of small children. Ingesting detergent can be toxic for kids.

FAQs

Does Dawn kill all types of salmonella?

Studies show Dawn is effective at killing common salmonella types including Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella infantis, and Salmonella heidelberg.

What is the active ingredient in Dawn against salmonella?

The primary antibacterial ingredient in Dawn is alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. It disrupts the bacterial cell membrane, causing cell contents to leak out.

Is Dawn safe for septic systems?

Yes, Dawn dish soaps are formulated to be septic-safe and biodegradable. The small amount of Dawn used is unlikely to disrupt septic tank functioning and digestibility.

Can you use Dawn on cast iron pans?

Dawn is not recommended for cast iron pans, as the detergents can wash away the seasoning. Use mild soap and scrub gently by hand instead.

Does Dawn remove salmonella from laundry?

Yes, adding 1/4 cup Dawn to the washing machine can help kill salmonella in contaminated laundry. Use hot water and allow adequate contact time.

Conclusion

Dawn dish soap is proven to be highly effective at killing bacteria like salmonella when used properly. The key is using warm water, adequate contact time, proper dilution, and thorough scrubbing. While powerful, take care to use Dawn safely by wearing gloves, rinsing surfaces, and keeping it locked away from children.

By harnessing the grease-cutting and disinfecting power of Dawn, you can have greater confidence that your dishes, surfaces, and other household items are salmonella-free.