Pine-Sol is an American household cleaning brand best known for its multi-surface cleaners and its distinctive pine fragrance. Introduced in 1929, Pine-Sol has become one of the most recognizable cleaning products in North America and is currently owned and marketed by The Clorox Company. Originally formulated with pine oil, the brand gained a reputation for its ability to clean, deodorize, and disinfect a wide variety of household surfaces. 1

Origins (1929)

Pine-Sol was invented in 1929 by Harry A. Cole, a chemist living near Jackson, Mississippi. During the early years of the Great Depression, Cole recognized that pine oil possessed natural deodorizing and disinfecting properties. Surrounded by extensive pine forests, he developed a cleaner that effectively removed grease, dirt, and odors while leaving behind a fresh pine scent. 2

Early Growth

The cleaner quickly became popular for household cleaning because it:

• Removed grease and grime effectively
• Left a long-lasting fresh scent
• Helped disinfect household surfaces
• Could be diluted for multiple cleaning applications

By the 1950s and 1960s, Pine-Sol had become a widely recognized household cleaner across the United States. 3

Ownership Changes

After its creation, the brand changed ownership several times before being acquired by The Clorox Company in 1990. Under Clorox, Pine-Sol expanded beyond the original pine-scented cleaner into a broader product line featuring multiple fragrances and specialized cleaning formulations. 4

Original Formula

The original Pine-Sol relied heavily on pine oil, which served as both a cleaning ingredient and the source of its signature scent. Pine oil was valued for its natural cleaning and deodorizing characteristics. 5

Formula Changes

During the 2010s, Clorox reformulated many Pine-Sol products to reduce or eliminate pine oil due to supply limitations and production costs while maintaining cleaning performance. Modern Pine-Sol products use a combination of surfactants, solvents, and other cleaning agents. Some Original Pine products continue to include pine oil. 6

Today, Pine-Sol offers a variety of cleaning products, including:

• Multi-surface cleaners
• Disinfecting cleaners
• Floor cleaners
• Kitchen cleaners
• Bathroom cleaners
• Concentrated cleaning solutions

Available fragrances have included:

• Original Pine
• Lemon Fresh
• Lavender Clean
• Sparkling Wave
• Tropical Breeze
• Other limited and seasonal scents 7

Modern Pine-Sol cleaners are marketed as products that:

• Clean grease and grime
• Deodorize surfaces
• Remove dirt from many washable surfaces
• Help remove non-living household allergens such as dust mite matter and pet dander
• Certain formulations disinfect when used according to label directions 8

Pine-Sol products are commonly used to clean:

• Hardwood and laminate floors (as directed)
• Tile
• Kitchen countertops
• Bathroom sinks
• Toilets
• Showers
• Cabinets
• Trash cans
• Appliances
• Stainless steel surfaces
• Outdoor furniture

Users are advised not to use Pine-Sol on unfinished, unsealed, waxed, or oiled wood, marble, aluminum, or copper unless the product label specifically permits it. 9

Pine-Sol has been known for memorable advertising campaigns emphasizing cleanliness, freshness, and reliability.

One of the brand’s most recognizable figures is Diane Amos, known as the “Pine-Sol Lady.” She became the brand’s spokesperson in 1993 and appeared in numerous television commercials, becoming closely associated with the brand’s image. 10

Pine-Sol products are intended for external household cleaning only. Consumers should:

• Follow label directions carefully.
• Keep products out of reach of children and pets.
• Never ingest the product.
• Avoid mixing it with bleach, ammonia, or other cleaners unless explicitly instructed on the label.
• Use adequate ventilation during cleaning. 11

For nearly a century, Pine-Sol has remained one of America’s best-known cleaning brands. Its original pine scent has become synonymous with “clean” for many consumers, and the brand has evolved from a single pine oil cleaner into a broad portfolio of household cleaning products while maintaining strong brand recognition. 12

• 1929 – Harry A. Cole invents Pine-Sol in Mississippi.
• 1950s–1960s – Becomes a nationally recognized household cleaner.
• 1990 – Acquired by The Clorox Company.
• 1993 – Diane Amos debuts as the “Pine-Sol Lady.”
• 2010s – Many formulations are updated, with reduced or no pine oil in certain products.
• Today – Pine-Sol continues to sell a range of multi-surface and disinfecting cleaners in multiple fragrances. 13

1. Pine-Sol
2. The History of Pine-Sol | Pine-Sol™
3. Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner & Multi-Surface Cleaning Products | Pine-Sol™
4. 8 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Clean with Pine-Sol
5. Pine-Sol Lady | Pine-Sol™
6. Who Owns Pine-Sol? Clorox and the Brand’s History – LegalClarity
7. The Clorox Company, Plaintiff-counter-defendant-appellant, v. Sterling Winthrop, Inc.; Reckitt & Colman, Inc.,defendants-appellees, 117 F.3d 50 (2d Cir. 1997) :: Justia
8. La historia de Pine-Sol | Pine-Sol™ en Español
9. La historia de Pine-Sol en Español
10. Multi Purpose Household Cleaners & Disinfecting Products | Pine-Sol™
11. Pine-Sol Original Scent | Pine-Sol™
12. Site Map | Pine-Sol™
13. History and purpose