Lysol is a disinfectant and cleaning product brand originally developed in 1889 by German chemist Dr. Gustav Raupenstrauch as a disinfectant solution to combat a cholera epidemic in Hamburg, Germany. The brand was introduced to the American market in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic and has been associated with household disinfection ever since. Lysol is owned by Reckitt Benckiser (now Reckitt), a British multinational consumer goods company that also owns brands such as Dettol, Finish, and Air Wick.
Lysol's product lineup encompasses disinfectant sprays, disinfecting wipes, multi-surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, laundry sanitizer, and hand soap. The brand's flagship Lysol Disinfectant Spray is one of the most widely used household disinfectants in North America, killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on hard surfaces. Lysol products are EPA-registered disinfectants, a distinction that requires rigorous testing and validation of antimicrobial claims.
Lysol experienced extraordinary demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming one of the most sought-after household products globally. The brand partnered with public health organizations and launched educational campaigns about proper disinfection practices. Lysol has since expanded its product range with innovations including the Lysol Air Sanitizer (the first EPA-approved product to kill 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria) and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. The brand's HERE for Healthy Schools program has provided millions of dollars in products and education to schools across America. Lysol's consistent focus on science-backed disinfection has established it as the trusted standard in household germ protection.