The history of
Pine-Sol®
From the simple green and yellow label your grandma recognized to the bright and cheerful look you see in your home today, the power of Pine-Sol® Cleaners lasts. Discover the historic roots of your family’s favorite cleaner.
![](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pinesol-history-hero-image.png)
- Who invented Pine-Sol®?
- At the beginning of the Great Depression, a man named Harry A. Cole was looking for a way to improve his family’s fortune. A chemist by trade, Mr. Cole knew that pine oil was a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. He seized the opportunity, rolled up his sleeves and created Pine-Sol®.
- When was Pine-Sol® invented?
- Just after the start of the Great Depression in 1929, Mr. Cole got the idea for a pine oil cleaner when he found himself living in miles of pine forest near Jackson, Mississippi.
- Who makes Pine-Sol®?
- In 1990, The Clorox Company acquired Pine-Sol and set about innovating the formula and extending the line, bringing the power of Pine-Sol® to scented products that offer the same time-honored benefit of real clean.
- What is Pine-Sol®?
- The Pine-Sol® of today is a multi-surface cleaner that deodorizes, cuts through grease, removes grime, tackles dirt and removes 99% of allergens (non-living dust mite matter and pet dander). The Original Pine scent also disinfects high-touch surfaces in your household.
Pine-sol through the years
![1957 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1957.jpg)
1957
![1967 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1967.jpg)
1967
![1969 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1969.jpg)
1969
![1970 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1970.jpg)
1970
![1973 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1973.jpg)
1973
![1979 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1979.jpg)
1979
![1988 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1988.jpg)
1988
![1989 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1989.jpg)
1989
![1990 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1990.jpg)
1990 - The Clorox Company acquires Pine-Sol® cleaner
![1991 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1991.jpg)
1991
![1995 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/1995.jpg)
1995
![2001 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/2001.jpg)
2001
![2009 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/2009.jpg)
2009
![2014 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/2014.jpg)
2014
![2019 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/2019.jpg)
2019
![2024 Pine-Sol Image](https://www.pinesol.com/wp-content/themes/electro/img/history/2024.jpg)
Today
PINE-SOL® BY THE NUMBERS
-
2X concentratedTackle more messes per bottle.*
formula* -
5x cleaningOdor, grease, grime, dirt & allergens.‡
action -
removes 99% of allergens§Destroy dust mites & pet dander.
- * vs. unconcentrated Pine-Sol® Pine/Scented Formula when used as directed
- ‡ When diluted as directed vs. unconcentrated Pine-Sol® Pine/Scented Formula
- § Non-living dust mite matter and pet dander