There are plenty of useless products out there, but when I saw a commercial for the Dawn Power Dish Brush, I realized that a nadir had been reached in the kitchen cleaning industry.
Let’s immediately dispense with the obvious comparisons to… well, look at the picture and you’ll know. I’d rather not say it in mixed company.
Now, let’s discuss the utter uselessness of the product. What is this little device and what does it have to offer? Basically, it’s a dishwashing brush with batteries. Yup, that’s pretty much it. Keep in mind that you still have to hold this brush, it’s just that it… vibrates… for you.
Now, I can show a little tolerance towards stupid products that are made to satiate the truly lazy, but good Lord, if you have enough motivation to stand at the sink and wash dishes, are you really going to save much energy or effort by letting the brush vibrate instead of doing a little bit of scrubbing on your own? And is it really going to do a better job? How does the fact that it moves on its own help it clean corners better than a human could? I highly doubt this is worth the $8 it costs plus the four AA batteries required to power it.
Now if they had a vibrating toilet brush, that would be another story…
Posted in Consumer Commentary
wendi January 15, 2007, 6:58 pm
I bought a pack of replacement heads for $1 from my neighbor’s garage sale 7 months ago, never having ever heard of the thing. Thought it was just Dawn’s brand of a soap-filled scrub brush. figured I’d pick up the handle at Safeway for a couple bucks. The word “power” in the name didn’t tip me off that it was a battery-operated,scrubber. YEah, call me ignorant! My first clue should have been that she had about 150 of them that she’d been trying to sell on Ebay, and was now liquidating them, below cost, in her driveway! Well, I’ve kept my eyes open for a handle whenever I go shopping, and have never seen one yet.
I came across the unopened package again this morning while looking for a new sponge under my sink. With renewed determination I strode to my computer and Googled it. Your link intrigued me, so I checked it first. What a string of contradicting, yet intriguing, comments! Now, regardless of hassle or expense, I must find a handle, try it for myself, and *ping* you back to give my opinion. My quest in renewed. My one dollar investment shall be justified and my curiositiy satisfied. thank you for the needed inspiration.
wendi January 15, 2007, 8:02 pm
OK, screw it! I”ve called every retailer in my town, and nobody carries the handles! I’d have to pay a minimum of $8.49 on Ebay, (the least expensive online price), and then $2 – $4 extra in batteries. I think I will just get a regular cheapie $2.50 brush at Target and call it good.
Wendi.
PS Anyone out there want an unopened 2-pack of brush heads? They’re really cheap!!!
Sharon April 22, 2007, 4:29 am
I love the thing and would like replacement heads. Wendi–How can I get your unopened two-pack?
Michael June 18, 2007, 2:50 am
You people complaining about this brush really need something to do with your time. This brush actually works very well. I am a guy, and I like this product because I don’t own a dishwasher at the moment. The brush keeps my hands out of the dishwater and turning them into prunes, and it keeps me from having to wear gloves which I find very uncomfortable after a while. I also find this brush is great for cleaning the bathroom sink.
Al September 10, 2007, 5:14 am
OK so you guys do not like the power brush, I do! It does not vibrate -it rotates. I will also add that this thing uses a very well built DC motor and planatary gear set up to drive the brush. It is made to last —– and does. For what it is good for. Cleaning the bottom of those glasses with dried on milk in them and my pet Sugar Glider’s food boles that are always dried on. I use rechargable batteries in mine and since it has about the same motor in it as a battery screw driver , it almost can’t be stopped from turning . Useless product? Maybe if you are using it the way they did on TV!!!! Looked very stupid. Have you ever jambed you hand down into a glass trying to clean the bottom — broke it and got cut in the process? Well there you have it. the battery brush wins with me . I am going to find a couple of extras befor they are gone forever. Mine gets used a bit for something as we do the dishes every day.
Oh yah, 2 people don’t nned to run a dish washer for just a few items!!! Al G.
Al September 10, 2007, 5:29 am
I forgot to mention one thing about this brush. If you need more power (it is to easy to stop turning) Use rechargable batteries in it!!! You won’t stop it then! The motor is a voltage and current device. The speed the motor turns at comes from the voltage of the batteries and the stopping power (torque) come from how much current(amps) the batteries can supply. That is why most electric screw drivers use rechargable batteries in them. A normal AA sized alkiline battery may be good for about 1 amp for a short time but a rechargable AA battery can put out well over 20 amps for a short time before it gets very hot. Use rechargable batteries in your Dawn brush and you will be surpized at how much umph the little motor can put out to the brush!!! Al G.
steve bond March 17, 2008, 7:48 pm
This is the best thing that we’ve bought for the kitchen. Perfect for guys who don’t want to do it unless there’s a motor attached.
Bman March 18, 2008, 10:41 pm
This product is awesome. but i use it for my Fish tank as it is completely waterproof. The product does a great job getting into corners that would normally frustrate me! Useless for dishes? maybe Try thinking outside the box though.
gloria October 15, 2008, 1:43 am
I have had one of these brushes for about a year , it is great. It cleans pots fast and easy. Sadly I can no longer find the brushes in the stores, that is why i looking on the computer. MY daughter-in-law is crazy about my dawn brush. I am getting her one tonight. Too bad i have to order 10 of them….try it you will like the brush…..
Rich June 26, 2009, 2:52 am
OK I love the damn thing, the batterys are going and I can’t figure how to get to them. Does the top slide or screw off? I don’t want to break it.
Thanks,
Rich
bobalony December 7, 2009, 4:40 am
Great Product. I’m a strong guy, no injuries, I use it because I can rip through dried food like rice and egg yolk in a quarter of the time.
I modified one of the worn heads by sawing off all the bristles. I then glued a piece of velcro to it (hook end). Now I can use it to polish small things with a brilliance that was unobtainable before. A small piece of cloth stays in place and you can really lay into the motor. Great for the hobbiest.
hugo October 16, 2010, 8:08 am
I found this brush today at a thrift store, it still worked, but slowly, i knew it would be perfect for cleaner my coffee cups, that have hard stains, that take a lot of scrubbing to get out. We have many glasses that I won’t use because the bottom is stained. Also it can be used in the garage where cleaning is half the problem of working on cars. Getting into tight places that I could never reach before, I love it!
Now, why was this a useless product?
and the price is very reasonable!
just need to find more brush heads!
ilmarkll January 4, 2011, 7:01 pm
Being disabled and not able to generate the same amount of power for scrubbing, this has been a wonderful tool in both my kitchen and (a separate one for) my bathroom.
Juan Benito June 11, 2011, 3:37 pm
Yes, may be it is the most useless thing for many people, but it is unbelievable useful tool to clean the rims of the car. for that it is actually GRATE, the only problem is I can not find it any where any more, I gad checked all the store and the internet.
Cheers
Joe Mama November 28, 2016, 12:57 pm
Mine finally broke I used it for everything. I need a new one. Now I have three extra brushes and can’t find a replacement. Anyone know where on is at?