Photo: Kelly Tippett (Shutterstock)
Although the COVID-ignited sanitary panic of 2020—when people still pretended to wash their hands for 20 seconds, and disinfectants were flying off the shelves—has passed, industry experts at the American Cleaning Institute expect that most people will retain at least some of their pandemic cleaning habits.
And though we now know there’s a relatively low risk of COVID transmission via surfaces, there are still plenty of other circulating germs that you don’t want in your living space. Unfortunately, if you’ve purchased and use certain Pine-Sol products, you may actually be introducing new potentially harmful bacteria into your home.
That’s why Clorox has issued a massive voluntary recall on approximately 37 million of their Pine-Sol products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports. Here’s what to know.
Why are the Pine-Sol products being recalled?
Routine product testing revealed that several types of Pine-Sol cleaning products contained potentially harmful bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is commonly found in soil and water.
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While people with functioning immune systems can usually handle this bacteria, those with weakened immune systems or external medical devices are at-risk of developing a serious infection (including pneumonia) that may require medical treatment if they’re exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
In addition to entering the body through a cut or other break in the skin, the bacteria can also get in through the eyes and if inhaled, according to the CPSC. Fortunately, to date, no illnesses related to use of the recalled Pine-Sol products have been reported.
So, to try to keep it that way, Clorox is recalling approximately 37 million bottles of various sizes, varieties, and scents of Pine-Sol.
Which Pine-Sol products are included in the recall?
First of all, fans of Original Pine-Sol can rest easy: None of the classic pine-scented products are included in the recall. Clorox is, however, recalling all sizes of the Pine-Sol products in the following scents that were manufactured at its Forest Park, Georgia facility prior to September 2022.:
Pine-Sol scented multi-surface cleaners
Lavender CleanSparkling WaveLemon FreshCloroxPro Pine-Sol all-purpose cleaners
Lavender CleanSparkling WaveLemon Fresh Orange EnergyClorox Professional Pine-Sol
To determine when a Pine-Sol product was manufactured, check the date code printed on the side of the bottle in black lettering (see image below). The recalled products all have date codes beginning with the prefix “A4,” followed by a five-digit number less than 22249.
Each of the products listed above are sold in bottles of 28, 48, 60, 100, 144, and 175 fluid ounces. The recalled products were sold online at Amazon.com, other retailer websites, and at major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Dollar General, Target, Home Depot, BJ’s, Kroger, Dollar Tree, Lowe’s, and Publix for between $2.50 and $12.50.
What to do if you’ve purchased any of the recalled Pine-Sol products
If you discover that you’ve purchased any of the recalled Pine-Sol products, stop using them immediately—but before you throw anything out, snap a few photos of the 12-digit UPC code and the date code. Here’s where to find the UPC code:
Once you’ve done that, complete this form to submit your photos and process your reimbursement (note: at the time of writing, the page containing the form was blank, but that should change). If you have any questions, you can contact Pine-Sol by phone at 1-855-378-4982, or by email at PineSolRecalls@inmar.com.
Additional information on the recall can be found on this dedicated recall website, or by visiting the Pine-Sol website and clicking on the link in the orange banner at the top of the page that says “Recall Information.”
According to the CPSC, those with their receipt will receive a full refund of the purchase price, while those without a receipt will be refunded the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. To avoid any potential contamination, leave any recalled Pine-Sol products in their original container, and dispose of them in your household trash.
