Dawn Dishsoap

[arcticap]

Several years ago I came across several shooters discussing the cleaning of muzzleloaders on a forum. I dont recall which one. It very well could have been this one. The merits of water and dishsoap were discussed. One of the shooters swore by Dawn and praised it highly. Would that have been word of mouth or the written word? I tried it and still use it to this day. Its pretty good stuff. That was me. How did You "discover" Dawn?

Interesting question, I appreciate that you asked about something that many take for granted.
MLF folks were recommending Dawn as far back as I can remember but never knew why.
I use whatever the wife buys and will add a very tiny amount of Pine Sol.
Some of the commercial BP solvents now contain citrus, usually orange or lemon.
I recently bought a "safe" engine degreaser [Gunk brand] that didn't contain citrus before but now it does.
Does Dawn contain any citrus now days?
I don't see how using a citrus product could hurt if it helps to break down powder residue.
I also use various commercial BP solvents because some built up residue can be really thick and stubborn which depends on the type and amount of powder loaded.

 

[Carbon 6]

As I stated in last post on cleaning "Dawn " is nothing but a surfactant. Look at "Simple Green" and note the cost per oz. Dawn is $$$$ Maybe no one knows what a surfactant is, SOAP !!!

I think it would be more accurate to call both Dawn and Simple green detergents, As they both contain surfactants.

The one major difference between the two is that Simple green is 84% water whereas Dawn is a concentrate.
Dawn and Simple green take different routes to accomplish the same goal. But you shouldn't use simple green for doing dishes.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I myself am satisfied wirh Palmolive. My neice insists in having Dawn on hand. So naturally I use hers. (Cheap)
Also any soap in liquid form is a surfactant, isnt it?

I am confuse, post 1 on this thread you said you use and like dawn, on post 17 you said you like Palmolive but you use your niece's dawn. Which is it??

 

[Eutycus]

I use what I can get my hands on. I dont recall saying I use either one exclusively. Even the Dollar Store grease cutter "Awesome" is used now and then. And hey it works too.

 

[waarp8nt]

My dad used dawn, my older brother used dawn and I have used dawn since I began shooting black powder. I suppose its a family tradition to use dawn.

 

[Black Hand]

If it's good enough for ducklings, otters and pelicans - it's good enough for me...

 

[Eutycus]

I kind of fiqured that cute little fuzzy duckie on the label had a little to do with it!

 

[Black Hand]

I kind of fiqured that cute little fuzzy duckie on the label had a little to do with it!

It's advertised as being gentle - used to clean oil-fouled water creatures...

 

[Eutycus]

I really wasnt implying or suggesting anything about the duckie. But some muzzleloaders are known to have a soft spot in their hearts.

 

[omark]

I really wasnt implying or suggesting anything about the duckie. But some muzzleloaders are known to have a soft spot in their hearts.

And I think most have a soft spot in their head. LOL

 

[longcruise]

I have wondered if there is any difference between the liquid dish soaps. I use a few drops of dawn in the cleaning bucket but it's probably not necessary.

About 1/10 or 2/8 dawn/water makes a good patch lube sub for spit. It gives a little slippum to the patch. Nice for dry days when you don't want to waste your spit.

 

[Eutycus]

No one had really said yay or nay, including myself. I said its a pretty good product and I will continue using it.So dont feel like the Lone Ranger on that wondering bit.

 

[BlackHillsBob]

i use dawn in the shower ever day.i must be full of carbon. ive always had a thing about being very very clean on my body. its the only body and( hair, what left of it,) that makes me feel clean. have to try it on patches this summer.i am the dishwasher around this house also. thats all we use here.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Dawn works well and it cuts grease which may be a factor in a barrel if using a oil/grease based lube. I've used it and recently, since I clean my guns in the basement or outside depending on the weather I use whatever soap/detergent is handy. I'm too lazy to walk up stairs to get the dawn from the kitchen. I guess I could buy my own small bottle. The last time I cleaned my rifle there happened to be some Pin Sol handy and I used it. It seemed to work fine. My guess is the store brand dish soap that is in the bottle similar to dawn would work just as well too.

 

[Carbon 6]

i use dawn in the shower ever day.i must be full of carbon. ive always had a thing about being very very clean on my body. its the only body and( hair, what left of it,) that makes me feel clean. have to try it on patches this summer.i am the dishwasher around this house also. thats all we use here.

I've taken many a shower using nothing but Dr Bonner's or Kirk's Castile liquid. I used Dawn once when I was covered in oil. I've also washed clothes in it.

 

[Eutycus]

I've taken many a shower using nothing but Dr Bonner's or Kirk's Castile liquid. I used Dawn once when I was covered in oil. I've also washed clothes in it.

That part about washing clothes. We used to rub GoJo into blue jeans that were heavily oiled. We were a messy lot! It took care of the jeans. What would it (GoJo) do in a muzzleloader?

 

[arcticap]

That part about washing clothes. We used to rub GoJo into blue jeans that were heavily oiled. We were a messy lot! It took care of the jeans. What would it (GoJo) do in a muzzleloader?

Some folks do use Gojo [original creme without pumice] as a patch lube and while it might be a messy cleaner, it probably can effectively remove fouling.
It was developed to be able to clean tar, graphite and carbon off of tire workers hands and clothes without using noxious chemicals.
I've used it at the range to clean hands and it sure works good.

 

[Eutycus]

I dont have a can handy so I cant read the ingredients, but exactly is in GoJo? Its a consentrated soap isnt it? Plus the Lanolin, I think?

 

[arcticap]

I dont have a can handy so I cant read the ingredients, but exactly is in GoJo? Its a consentrated soap isnt it? Plus the Lanolin, I think?

Here's the Gojo SDA [Safety Data Sheet].
It contains mineral oil and petrolatum among other ingredients.--->>> http://images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--kR0gMB32--/f4msfq8edafos62ocmcp.pdf

 

[necchi]

No - surfactants might be added.

wow. that came from a google search.