FAQS

Find the answers to the most frequently-asked questions about Pine-Sol® cleaning products — including how and where to use them, which ingredients are inside, and how to save on them.

Inside Pine-Sol® Cleaners

What are the ingredients in Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner?
Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner contains: Water, C10-12 alcohol ethoxylates, sodium secondary C13-18 alkyl sulfonate, fragrance, citric acid, colorant, xanthan gum and preservative. Contains fragrance allergen(s).
Does Pine-Sol® Cleaner contain ammonia?
No, Pine-Sol® Cleaners do not contain ammonia.
Are Pine-Sol® Cleaners biodegradable?
All Pine-Sol® products contain biodegradable cleaning agents.
Can I recycle the Pine-Sol® Cleaner bottle?
Yes, Pine-Sol® Cleaner bottles are made of #1 recyclable PET.
Do Pine-Sol® products contain phosphorus?
No, Pine-Sol® Cleaners do not contain phosphorus.
What is the shelf life of Pine-Sol® Cleaners?
A Pine-Sol® Cleaner’s shelf life is one year. After that time, the color will change, but the product will still clean.
Does Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner disinfect when diluted?
Yes. Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner is registered with the EPA as a disinfectant when used as directed full strength. When used according to the instructions on the product, it kills 99.9% of germs and household bacteria on hard, nonporous surfaces. It disinfects against Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza A virus (Hong Kong strain). When using the non-concentrated formula, you must use at full-strength. When using the concentrated formula, it disinfects even when diluted — you can either dilute 1 cup of cleaner per ½ gallon of water or use at full-strength.

How to Use Pine-Sol® Cleaners

Can I use the Pine-Sol® product in a steam cleaner?
Pine Sol® products were not designed to be used in steam cleaners.
How can I use Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner to disinfect?
Apply Original Pine-Sol® full-strength on hard, nonporous surfaces with a clean sponge or cloth. Wet the surface, let it stand for 10 minutes, and then rinse. Dilution is also effective when using the concentrated formula. Mix 1 cup per ½ gallon of water and apply on hard, nonporous surfaces with a clean sponge or cloth. Allow surface to remain visibly wet for 10 minutes then rinse with water. For heavily soiled surfaces, precleaning is required. To ensure stability, prepare solutions daily. When using the non-concentrated formula, apply the disinfectant product full-strength with a clean sponge or cloth on hard, nonporous surfaces. Wet surface, let stand 10 minutes and then rinse. For heavily soiled surfaces, pre-cleaning to remove excess dirt first is required.
Where can I use Pine-Sol® Cleaners?
You can use Pine-Sol® cleaners on hard, nonporous surfaces, including floors, sinks, counters, stoves, bathtubs, shower stalls, tile, toilets, garbage cans and diaper pails. Just use ¼ cup per gallon of water. For tough jobs, use full strength and rinse immediately. On wood surfaces, do not allow puddles of product to remain. Pine-Sol® is not recommended for use on marble, aluminum, or unsealed, waxed, oiled or visibly worn wood. Here is a chart showing recommended use:
Surface Original Pine-Sol® Pine-Sol® Scented Cleaners
Acrylic √ √
Aluminum X √
Bisque tile/grout √  
Carpet √  
Cement √  
Ceramic tile √ √
Copper X √
Corian® √  
Enamel √ √
Formica √ √
Glass (windows) √ √
Granite, sealed and unsealed √ √
Laminate Wood   √
Linoleum √ √
Marble, sealed and unsealed X √
Mirror √  
Plastic √  
Porcelain tile √  
Quarry tile √  
Slate √  
Stainless Steel √ √
Textiles (Cotton, Denim, Polyester) √  
Vinyl tile √ √
Wood, sealed/painted/finished √ √
Where should I NOT use Pine-Sol® Cleaners?
Do not use on marble, aluminum, copper or wood that is unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn. Do not use or mix with bleach-containing products.
Can I use Pine-Sol® Cleaners in laundry?
For extra cleaning and deodorizing power, add ¼ cup to your load along with regular detergent. Use only on white or colorfast fabrics. Do not use the product full strength directly on fabrics.
Can Pine-Sol® be used to remove stains from clothes?
It is not recommended to use Pine-Sol® for stain removal on fabric/soft surfaces, including carpets.
Can Pine-Sol® be used in a spray bottle?
Yes, you can use Pine-Sol® in a spray bottle. Dilute ⅛ cup Pine-Sol® in a gallon of water, pour some of the solution a spray bottle to clean hard, nonporous surfaces. Prepare solutions daily.

Getting and Saving on Pine-Sol® Cleaners

What scents do Pine-Sol® Cleaners come in?
Original Pine, Lemon Fresh, Lavender Clean® and Refreshing Clean.
Do you have discounts or coupons on Pine-Sol® Cleaners?
We often have promotions, like coupons or sweepstakes. Check out our Facebook Page and our Homepage for what we are featuring now.

Pine-Sol® Cleaner Safety

Is it safe to use Pine-Sol® to wash a car?
We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® to wash a car, as it could damage the car's finish.
Is it safe to use Pine-Sol® on other surfaces?
Yes! Pine-Sol® is safe to use all around your home, from your playroom and dining room to your bathroom and kitchen. A list of surfaces that Pine-Sol® cleans and how to clean them are here.
Is Pine-Sol® toxic or dangerous to people?
All of our products meet federal safety regulations. Please consult label instructions and cautionary text for safe use and handling of the product. For additional safety information, you can look up the safety data sheet for further information. As a general rule, you should keep all cleaning products out of reach of children and pets.
Is Pine-Sol® safe to use on vinyl floors?
Yes, it is safe to use Pine-Sol® on vinyl floors when used as directed.​
Is it safe to use Pine-Sol® cleaners around dogs, cats and other pets?
Yes, all Pine-Sol® products are recommended for use in pet areas. Please note that we do not recommend using Pine-Sol® products as a pet shampoo.
Is the scent of Pine-Sol® cleaners harmful to babies or pregnant women?
All of our products are designed to be safe and meet federal safety regulations when label instructions and cautionary text are followed. As a general rule, you should keep all cleaning products out of reach of children.
Can you mix Pine-Sol® with other products (like glass cleaners, bleach, etc.)?
We do not recommend mixing any Pine-Sol® product with other cleaning products or chemicals. Mixing cleaners can result in the release of hazardous gases.
Are Pine Sol® cleaners septic safe?
Yes! Following the recommended use of any Pine-Sol® product will not harm your septic system.
Is Pine-Sol® safe to use on hardwood floors or on wood?
Yes! Pine-Sol® is safe to use on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Is Pine-Sol® safe to use on dishes?
We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® on dishes. It is not approved by the EPA to be used on food-contact surfaces.
Is Pine-Sol® safe to use on painted surfaces?
We recommend testing a small inconspicuous area before using a Pine-Sol® cleaner on any painted surface.

Pine-Sol® COVID-19

If I dilute Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner, is it still effective against the COVID-19 virus?
No. In order to disinfect against viruses and bacteria, you must use Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner at full strength (in its concentrated form). Apply the disinfectant product full-strength with a clean sponge or cloth on hard, nonporous surfaces. Wet surface, let stand 10 minutes and then rinse. For heavily soiled surfaces, pre-cleaning to remove excess dirt first is required.
Why aren’t your other Pine-Sol products approved by the EPA to kill the COVID-19 virus?
Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner is our signature powerful disinfectant killing 99.9% of germs (Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza A virus). Our scented Pine-Sol® multi-surface cleaners, including Lemon Fresh, Lavender Clean® and Refreshing Clean, are powerful cleaners and deodorizers that cut through tough grease, grime and dirt, but don’t disinfect.
What Pine-Sol products are approved by the EPA to kill the COVID-19 virus?
The Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner now has an EPA-registered kill claim against the virus that causes COVID-19.
What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?
Disinfecting is complete kill of both bacteria and viruses, while sanitizing is only a reduction of bacteria. Cleaning removes dust, debris and dirt from a surface. Disinfectants are the only products approved by the EPA to kill viruses such as SARS-Cov-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, on hard surfaces.
Is Original Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner effective against the new, variant COVID-19 strains?
Yes. Original Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner is EPA-registered against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is included on the EPA’s List N because it meets the criteria to use against SARS-CoV-2 based on the EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Policy, which examines a product’s ability to kill a more challenging virus than SARS-CoV-2 and are expected to kill all strains of SARS-CoV-2. Pine-Sol completed third-party testing that confirmed the disinfectant’s efficacy against the three most prevalent variant strains of SARS-CoV-2, supporting the scientific understanding that disinfecting products that kill COVID-19 are effective against prevalent strains of coronavirus on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Why don’t I see a kill claim for the COVID-19 virus on my Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner label?
EPA-approved kill claims against the COVID-19 virus can be used in marketing communications, such as on our website and in our advertisements. Before a kill claim can be printed on a disinfecting product label, approval of the change must be registered in all 50 states. As a result, it may take a few months before this process is completed and the claim begins appearing on our product packaging.
If I already have Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner at home, can I use this against COVID-19 virus or is it a new version of the product?
We haven’t made any formula changes to the product to receive the EPA-approved kill claim. If you’ve purchased Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner within the past two years (the recommended shelf-life of a Pine-Sol® Cleaner) it’s effective against the COVID-19 virus.