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How to Clean Your Tire Rims with Dawn® Powerwash Dish Spray

A person wearing blue rubber gloves spraying Dawn Powerwash dish spray onto the rim while wiping it with a green sponge

Dirty tire rims can dull the look of any vehicle, but Dawn® Powerwash Dish Spray is specially designed to tackle burnt-on grease and grime. Follow these steps to get your rims shining like new:

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need:

  • Dawn® Powerwash Dish Spray

  • Hose or bucket with water

  • Soft sponge or rag

  • Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush (for tight spots)

  • Soft, clean towel

Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray is suitable for use on the following rim / hubcap types:

  • Plastic

  • Coated Steel

  • Chrome Plated Alloy Steel

Rim / hubcap types to avoid with Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray:

  • One-of-a-kind or limited edition rims / hubcaps

  • Unfinished cast aluminum (aluminum can be sensitive to cleaning products, we recommend spraying and immediately rinsing any finished aluminum items)

Always check the manufacturer's recommended cleaning instructions before washing. Before using Powerwash, spot test with a small drop in a less visible area to make sure the rim will not be damaged.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Instructions:

  1. Play It Cool Before you start, make sure your vehicle is parked, turned off, and the rims are completely cool. Cleaning hot rims can cause damaging streaks or stains.

  2. Give ’Em a Quick Spray Generously spray your tire rims and wheels with Dawn® Powerwash from about 3-6 inches away. Make sure to coat all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas where grime and brake dust hide. Let the suds sit for 3–5 minutes for toughest soils — this is when Powerwash gets to work breaking down stubborn messes.

  3. Scrub Away Grime Using a soft sponge or rag, scrub the outer edge of the rims to remove grease and dirt. For tight spots and crevices, use a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush, gently scrubbing away baked-on brake dust.

  4. Rinse Thoroughly Rinse the rims and wheels completely from top to bottom with water to wash away all suds and dirt.

  5. Dry and Shine Immediately dry the rims with a soft, clean towel to prevent water spots and streaking. Now you’re ready to roll with clean, shiny rims!