The Fragrant Truth: Dawn Botanicals Versus Palmolive Spring Sensations

The result of a recent spat with my husband was dismay as I opened the door of the cupboard beneath my sink last weekend. There, staring back at me was a brand new 25 fl oz bottle of Palmolive Spring Sensations dish soap. In its shadow was my tried and true Dawn Botanicals. I learned then, that I would never again allow my husband to grocery shop--for sure not on the weeks I was in desperate need of more soap. I lifted both from the shelf and studied each one. It was then that I decided to create my own little Dawn challenge.

I called for my daughter's assistance, knowing I wanted to be sure I wasn't basing my opinions on preference rather than actual fact. She willingly agreed to help.

Blindfolded, she opened each bottle and waved them one at a time below my nose. Number one had a light, fresh scent--not heavy or over-powering; number two also had a fresh scent, but it was more noticeable and predominant.

One at a time, she placed a small dollop in the center of my palm, approximately the diameter of a pencil eraser. Dipping one fingertip into the media, I swirled it around spreading it out to a circular diameter of about a silver dollar. Number one felt silky and smooth, not gritty or sticky. It virtually glided against my skin; number two was smooth, but possessed a slight tacky feel, not gliding as nicely as number one had.

For the final test, my daughter once again placed a small amount in my palm, but then guided my finger through the running stream of warm water from the faucet. In the same circular motion, only now with a dampened finger, I again made my swirling pattern of each, one at a time. Number one had an even silkier feel. Lifting my blindfold enough to view the sink basin, I placed my palm--still rubbing my finger in the soap--under the faucet. Suds and bubbles formed instantly, even with such a tiny amount. My eyes were again covered, as the process was performed again using number two. This time, the stickiness seemed to diminish with the wetness of the water on my finger, but at the same time, the consistency or thickness of it seemed to lessen as well. Once again, the blindfold was removed and the water was allowed to rush into my palm as I swirled my finger. Suds formed, but a noticeably reduced amount compared with that of number one.

Based upon my created challenge, I chose soap number one as being best. Its fragrance was pleasing, but not strong like number two's; the feel of it on my skin was much more luxurious and not at all sticky; there was no denying the cleaning power based upon the suds created by such a tiny amount of product. Regardless of which brand it was, number one was to be my dish soap brand of choice.

With a coy expression, my daughter opened the wall cupboard she taped the number one to, and inside stood my nearly empty bottle of Dawn Botanicals. I had made the right choice for years by choosing Dawn.

In an in-store comparison, I found my preferred local grocer stocked Dawn Botanicals in the full range of available sizes. Palmolive Spring Sensations was equally stocked. Based upon the 25 fl. oz. sizes, there was a notable price difference. Dawn Botanicals sells for $3.29, whereas Palmolive Spring Sensations-in the same 25 fl oz size-sells for $3.79. With the rising costs of products today, Dawn provides not only the best quality dish soap, but also the best consumer considerate price.

Dawn Botanicals, and Dawn dish soap products in general, takes the prize over Palmolive Spring Sensations.

I went out to my grocer and purchased a new bottle of Dawn Botanicals. When I returned home, my husband's Palmolive Spring Sensations purchase was transferred to the garage for him to use himself.