Pine-sol and Lysol are very similar in the problems they are marketed to solve. They both offer disinfectant properties and are both powerful cleaners, so what would make you choose to use one product over the other?
Pine-sol is the trade name for a line of household products used to clean and cut through grime, grease, heavy soil, and deodorize surfaces. Lysol is a line that produces a wide range of cleaning and disinfectant products that also deodorize surfaces.
This article will be talking about the differences between both products (and a few similarities); Lysol versus Pine-sol.
Lysol Vs Pine-Sol
We are taking a point-by-point comparison approach, basing our comparison on product rage, popular products, ingredients, scents offered, and finally the cost.
1- Range of Products Comparison
Lysol (Range of Products)
Lysol has a wide range of products from laundry sanitizer to wipes, disinfectant sprays, toilet cleaners, multi-purpose surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and others.
The bleach-based cleaners have deeper clean disinfecting and surface whitening properties which is ideal for whitewashed walls or tiles and many customers like the bleach smell that is left behind.
Pine Sol (Range of Products)
Pine-Sol, unlike Lysol, only makes a Multi-surface Cleaner. This suggests that the brand might be hyper-focused on making their product as best as they can.
This multi-surface cleaner is sold in a concentrated solution that you dilute depending on the surface being cleaned. The surface cleaners are to be used on hard, non-porous surfaces such as sinks, counters, shower stalls, bathtubs, tiled floors, and others.
For tough jobs such as very greasy surfaces or surfaces with a very bad odor, you can use the surface cleaner in its concentrated form (without diluting) for a more potent cleaning solution.
Make sure you rinse it off immediately after you are done cleaning to avoid damaging the surface.
Do not let it sit for too long and use only a little to avoid forming a pool that could damage a surface, especially when cleaning carpeted or wood surfaces.
2- Popular Products Direct Comparison
Some of the Pine-sol and Lysol products are very similar to each other. This includes:
Pine-SOL Original Multi-Surface Cleaner vs the Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Both cleaners have very similar properties including:
• They both kill Covid 19
• They both kill 99% of germs and bacteria
• They both clean non-porous surfaces
• They both deodorize and have a clean fresh scent
• They both get rid of hard water stains and cut through grease and scum.
The main difference between the two is that Lysol multi-purpose cleanser comes in a ready-to-use solution, where you just spray it on a surface and wipe to clean. Pine-sol on the other hand has to be diluted and if you use it in its concentrated form, it has to be rinsed off the surface.
Pine-SOL Multi-Surface Cleaner vs Lysol Disinfectant Wipes or Spray
Both the Lysol and Pine-sol products have very strong disinfectant properties.
To use the Pine-sol to disinfect, dilute the product as instructed and spray on a surface, then follow it up with a rag or a paper towel to wipe off the excess.
For the Lysol wipes, use only one wipe per surface and discard it when the wipe begins to feel dry. While using the spray to disinfect, hold it 6 to 8 inches from the surface and leave it to disinfect and dry.
Here, the Lysol product is more advantageous because it will reduce the chances of cross-contaminating surfaces, especially if you decide to use the spray. With the Pine-sol product, there is a risk of cross-contaminating surfaces, especially if you decide to use the same rag to wipe multiple surfaces.
Note: When using Lysol wipes on granite countertops, bear in mind that they can scratch, etch or dull the surface as they contain ammonia in them.
3- Ingredients Comparison
Lysol Ingredients
The main ingredient (called Active ingredient) in most Lysol products is benzalkonium chloride and in a few other products, this main ingredient is Hydrogen peroxide. Benzalkonium Chloride may cause eye problems and should be carefully used by patients with dry eyes.
The other ingredients in most Lysol products are water, which acts as a base and makes up the foundation to mix all the products.
Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are sanitizing agents in Lysol products. Chloro-o-benzyl phenol is an antiseptic used especially in Lysol wipes and disinfectant sprays.
Alkyl (C12-C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate is a biocide. Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and lactic acid, have antiseptic properties.
Pine-Sol Ingredients
Pine sol’s main active ingredient is Glycolic acid.
Glycolic acid removes scale, scum, and discoloration from the surface and improves the deep cleaning and effectiveness of other acids like citric acid and sulfamic acid. It also enables the different components in the formula to mix well together such as fragrances, and solvents.
Generally, this ingredient is well tolerated but may cause irritation in people with darker skin.
The other ingredients, listed according to the quantity used are:
– Water (Just acts as a base)
– Fragrance
– Caramel (To make the product appear better when in action)
– C10-12 alcohol ethoxylates (For Grease cutting)
– Sodium C14-17 secondary alkyl sulfonate (For Grease cutting)
– Dimethicone/silica/PEG Di stearates (For Defoaming)
– Xanthan gum (A thickener)
4- Scents Comparison
Lysol Scents: Lysol products also come in a variety of scents including lemon and lime blossom, cherry blossom and pomegranate, early morning breeze, sunflower and lemon, orange blossom, mango and hibiscus, and even bleach.
Pine Sol: The pine-sol surface cleaners come in Original, lemon, lavender, and sparkling wave scents.
5- Cost Comparison
When compared apples to apples, the Lysol All purpose cleaner is cheaper per fluid ounce than the Pine-sol Multi-purpose cleaner.
Pros and Cons
Pros of Lysol
1- Lysol Products Come in a Variety of Forms
The products come in liquid, gel, foam, sprays, and powders. The variety of product forms caters to different needs that the customers may have.
For example, the automatic toilet bowl cleaner comes in form of a gel in a plastic casing ensuring that the product is used slowly and is released only when in contact with water, i.e. when you flush. The foam sprays are very good when cleaning mirrors, glass shower doors, and glazed ceramic tiles.
The liquid and powder form clean multiple surfaces such as floors and sinks for a deep clean.
The sprays (disinfectant sprays) come in handy when disinfecting large areas. You just spray the disinfectant on the surface and leave it alone to work without having to wipe the product away.
2- Lysol Products Are Effective Cleaners and Disinfectants
The wide range of Lysol products is effective in cleaning surfaces and solving problems they are advertised towards.
For example, the Lysol mold and mildew remover does a very good job at tackling the problem advertised, and the disinfectant wipes and sprays effectively clean and disinfect surfaces.
3- Lysol Products Are Niched Down
Lysol products are targeted to tackle specific problems. This means that instead of the cleaner coming in one solution that tackles all problems, they have various solutions to deal with different problems.
For example, if your toilet has tough stains, you get a cleaner specifically for tough toilet stains. If you need to get a stain out of laundry, they have a product specialized to cater to laundry stains. You don’t have to strain or research when looking for a product.
Cons of Lysol
1- The wide range of products may be confusing to customers. Having a wide range of products can be a disadvantage especially when one product comes in multiple forms.
For example, the line has multiple toilet bowl cleaners that may make a customer have to spend time doing research to find out which product will work best for them.
Pros of Pine-Sol
1- Pine-sol comes in a concentrated solution form that you dilute with water when needed, giving you value for your money. You end up getting more products from one concentrated solution.
2- It comes in a range of scents that cater to the different likes of customers. The reviews from customers on the pine-sol official site talk about the pine scent being a big part of why they purchase the product.
3- The product is an effective cleaner. Pine-sol is very efficient at cleaning tough stains and removing odor without having a harsh chemical smell. Pine-Sol is also made of safe ingredients and can even be mixed with other cleaners such as fabuloso.
4- It can be used to clean multiple surfaces such as finished hardwood, cement, ceramic tile, glass, plastic, carpet, granite, and linoleum. Instead of having to purchase different products for your cleaning needs, Pine-sol will cater to cleaning various surfaces without damaging them, if you follow the instructions given on the label.
Cons of Pine-Sol
1- Their range of products is limited. They only have a variety of four surface cleaners that come in different scents. This can put you off from purchasing the product, especially if your preferred scent is not offered.
2- The one fits all multi-surface cleaner that pine-sol has may not attract customers that prefer having a different niched product for each surface they clean. For example, some customers may want to purchase a floor cleaner, dish soap, or laundry detergent instead of having one product that can do all this in one bottle.
3- Pine-sol cannot be used to clean dishes. This is because the chemicals in the product could remain and cause problems to a person when ingested.
4- Pine-sol cannot be used on surfaces such as cars, aluminum, copper, or marble. It is also not recommended to use on unfinished wood.
Final Verdict!
For people that prefer to use multiple niched products for their different cleaning needs, Lysol offers a wide range of products, at affordable prices, to cater to their different cleaning needs.
If you prefer to use one product to clean most surfaces, Pine-sol provides multi-surface cleaners which work very well, while also enabling you to save money that you would have otherwise used buying multiple products.
We also did a comparison of Pine sol with Fabuloso.
