Most brands have started to make a variety of cleaning products to clean, sanitize and disinfect surfaces. However, the all-purpose cleaners or multi-purpose cleaners are quite standard offerings.
Lysol and Formula 409 are both known brands offering cleaning products and so it is quite natural to be confused as to which one to use.
To help you compare both the brands, we have shown the range of products that both offer, ingredients used for the most popular products, and the surfaces each brand can tackle. Then, we give a bird’s eye view of the differences in a comparison table, and finally the pros and cons of each brand.
Lysol vs. 409
Let’s look at the key differences:
#1- Lysol vs 409 (Range of Products)
Lysol
Lysol has a range of products which include:
● Disinfecting wipes: The wipes can be used to clean various surfaces. You can use it on your kitchen counter, toilet seats, smartphone, etc.
● Disinfectant sprays: Lysol has four different disinfecting sprays. They have one for removing pet odor and others for several other problems you may have.
● Bathroom cleaners: Four products in this category focus on cleaning your toilet and bathroom.
● Lysol smart kits: This consists of smart multi-purpose cleaners that help to clean your household, e.g., floor, walls, bathroom, and toilets too. It is made to use 75% less plastic and can be refilled. You can buy their refill cartridges to enable you to use the bottle multiple times.
● Multi-purpose cleaners: They have four different multi-purpose cleaners, including one bleach.
● Laundry sanitizer: Specializes in cleaning your fabrics without damaging them. They have products that can work with washing machines too.
409
409 has a smaller range of products which include:
● Multi-surface cleaner: This can be used to clean multiple household items. It is also perfect for removing grease and germs. You can feel free to use it on numerous surfaces and be sure it’ll perform without damaging anything.
● Natural stone and steel cleaner: It is specially made to clean steel and stones such as marble, granite, quartz, etc.
● Carpet spot and stain cleaner: This can take care of spots and stains on your carpets and even house and car interiors that are not leather.
Lysol has products for various surfaces. Some are for similar purposes, though. They come as sprays, wipes, or liquids. On the other hand, 409 does not have as many products but is also effective. Both brands also have different sizes for their products. However, Lysol wins in versatility. However, Lysol wipes can harm your granite countertops, if used too frequently.
#2- Lysol vs. 409 (Ingredients)
Each brand has a range of products, so this ingredient comparison is only for their multi-surface cleaners. In the US, cleaning brands are not required to reveal the ingredients in their product. As a result, most brands include an incomplete product list or a vague one on their products.
Lysol All-Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner
Lysol has divided its ingredient list into active ingredients, fragrance components, intentionally added ingredients, and non-functional components. According to the owners of the Lysol brand, Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, the active ingredient in their multi-surface cleaner is Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.
Some of the fragrance components may cause allergic reactions. Some others are also capable of triggering asthma. According to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, one of its components, sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate is classified as carcinogenic by the European Union. Another, CI Direct Blue 86 has oral and inhalation exposure hazards.
On the Reckitt site, you can view the full ingredient list in order of weight or by category. The Multi-Surface Lysol Cleaner’s safety data sheet also identifies two of its ingredients as being either potentially harmful to the health and environment. They are:
● Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated (1 – 5%)
● Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-16-alkyl dimethyl, and chlorides (1-5%)
According to Reckitt, the exact quantities of these chemicals are not stated to give room for variations in different batches and confidentiality purposes.
Formula 409 All-Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner
The Clorox Company, which owns Formula 409, does not fully disclose this product’s ingredient composition. Neither does it state the precise quantity for the disclosed ingredients as with Lysol. The exact quantities are hidden as trade secrets.
On the product’s safety data sheet, there are two ingredients:
● Lauramine oxide – (0.5 – 1.5%)
● n-Alkyl (40% C12, 50% C14, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (0.2 – 0.4%)
Lauramine Oxide is also known as N N-Dimethyldodecan-1-Amine Oxide. It is a commonly used chemical compound in cleaning products such as detergents, disinfectants, etc. It is also used in personal care products and some cosmetics.
According to the EPA, it is one of the safer chemicals with very little cause for concern about its effects.
The second ingredient, N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC), is a Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC), also referred to as Quats. This is a chemical group that has excellent antimicrobial effects.
As a result, they are widely used in many cleaning products. Exposure to QACs may have many adverse effects, particularly the one used in this product. The ammonium chloride in it is not very safe for the environment.
Products containing ADBAC can cause eye irritation and skin corrosion. They can also trigger asthma and other respiratory problems. The EPA considers it toxic if consumed.
The other ingredients that make the majority of Formula 409 multi-surface cleaner are unknown. According to the safety data sheet, it is very toxic to aquatic animals and has lasting effects on them.
The product also contains a small percentage of ingredients with an unknown level of toxicity. The best way to use this product is by following the instructions to the letter.
Lysol is more transparent with its ingredients than Formula 409. Although this does not necessarily make Lysol ingredients any safer, it makes the products more trustworthy.
#3- Lysol vs. 409 (Cleaning Surfaces)
Lysol
Lysol has a much more comprehensive range of products than 409, and you can use such different products on various surfaces. Lysol encourages users to clean all hard surfaces in their house with the product according to the instructions on the container.
Some surfaces it works on include porcelain (such as sinks), wooden floors, stainless steel sinks, door knobs, electronics, tables and countertops, tiles, and so on. You can also use the product in the classroom to disinfect surfaces and keep them sanitary for kids.
Formula 409
Although 409 has only three products, the products clean an extensive range of surfaces. Formula 409 groups the surfaces that its products can clean into 6 categories:
● Floors: Granite, Laminate, Limestone, Linoleum, Marble, No-Wax, Pergo®, Quartz (Silestone), Sandstone, Slate, Travertine, Tile (Glazed), Wood (Painted)
● Counters: Corian®, Tile (Glazed), Formica®, Granite, Quartz (Silestone), Vinyl, Marble
● Appliances: Glass Microwave exterior, Oven Door Exterior, Stove Hood and Top/Range, Stainless Steel Refrigerator
● Tables: Glass, Plastic Wood(Painted), Fiberglass, Acrylic
● Outdoors: Car Interior, Patio Furniture, Nontinted Windshields
● Other Surfaces: Metal and Plastic Blinds, Painted Wooden Cabinets, Light Fixtures, Walls, Window Sills, Ceramic Sinks and Tubs, Glass Mirrors, and Windows
Note: You cannot use any of their products to clean a microwave interior and car exterior. The only two surfaces their Carpet Spot and Stain Cleaner can clean are carpets and car interiors.
You can clean the other surfaces listed above with either their Antibacterial All-purpose Cleaner or Natural Stone and Steel Cleaner. Their website has a guide on which product can clean which surface. They recommend that you only use their product on non-porous surfaces.
Both Lysol and 409 can clean a vast range of surfaces. While Formula 409 has a clearly defined set of places you can use its products, it appears you can use Lysol more dynamically. If you are looking for products for specific surfaces, you may look to Formula 409. Otherwise, Lysol products seem to offer more dynamic usage.
Why & Why Not!
Lysol – Pros
● Has a broader product range
● The ingredient list is more transparent
● Can be used for more types of cleaning activities
● Comes in more forms than Formula 409
● Offers coupons
● Two of its products are EPA certified to kill coronavirus
Lysol – Cons
● More expensive
● Contains some harmful chemicals
● The wide range of products makes it hard to choose which is best
409 – Pros
● Product is cheaper
● Lesser product range makes it easy to choose
● Comes in a refillable bottle option
● Each product is suitable for specific surface types
● Has a no-bleach formula and does not have bleach products
409 – Cons
● Limited product range
● Unknown level of effectiveness against coronavirus
● No coupon offers on the website
● Contains some harmful chemicals
Comparison Table
| Lysol | Formula 409 | |
| Product Range | Has a wide range of products and comes as sprays, wipes, or liquid. | Has three products that come as either spray or liquid in refillable bottles. |
| Effectiveness | Sanitizes and disinfects all hard surfaces. Two of its products have also been approved by the EPA for killing the coronavirus on surfaces. | Cuts through grease and cleans 99.9% germs. |
| Availability | Available online and in local stores. They also have a tool on their website to help you locate stores selling their products around you. | Available in local stores and online |
| Incentives | Coupons are available on the website. | None |
| Customer care | You can contact Lysol Customer Care by phone, email, or mail. They have a comprehensive FAQ section on their website. They also have Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube Socials. | You can contact Formula 409 by call or email. In addition, you can check their FAQ page or About Us Page for information. |
A Few Similarities!
● Ease of use: Lysol and formula 409 have no complex usage methods. They can be used easily even if you have a short amount of time at hand.
● Safety: They are safe to use on the products they are meant for if you follow the product’s instructions. Otherwise, their products should not enter or come in contact with the body. Also, some ingredients in both Lysol and 409 are not environmentally friendly.
● Availability: Both Lysol and 409 are available in many online stores. Most of these stores deliver to various places, so it’ll be easy for you to get their products. Lysol has a tool on its website for helping you find nearby sellers for their products.
● Effectiveness: The Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to be used against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Lysol has also been found to kill over 100 illness-causing germs, and they claim to kill 99.9% of germs.
Formula 409, on the other hand, claims to kill 99.9 % of household germs. It is also proven to cut through grease and dirt while keeping the household clean.
Final Thoughts!
Choosing between different brands is not just a matter of reviews but also your personal requirements and the kind of work you need to get done.
Also, consider the safety of the family members and pets when choosing between different products.
You might want to check this comparison between Lysol and Fabuloso or Lysol and Pine Sol.
