When we first got in contact with Pine-sol a few years ago about its laundry uses, we were told that the original Pine-sol was safe to use in all machines, including HE machines. In the last few months, we have been getting a lot of conflicting answers from Pine-sol, from “yes, it’s safe to use in all machines” to “it’s not safe to use in any machine.” The bottle on the original formula still list laundry as a use for it, and so does the Pine-sol website.
Due to all the confusion from the different responses from the Pine-sol team, we are changing our stance on the use of Pine-sol in the laundry to be proceed with caution. Without being able to get one concise answer from the Pine-sol team, we do not feel comfortable endorsing this use of it, much like we can’t officially recommend using windex on soft surfaces or mixing dawn and vinegar. Hopefully soon we can get an official answer from the Pine-sol team, but until then, use at your own risk.
Instead of Pine-sol, you can try using Pinalen. It has the HE symbol on the bottle, and also has instructions for laundry use on the original formula. Follow steps 1-6 below for Pinalen as you would for Pine-Sol.
Thank you for understanding.
-The Laundry Love & Cleaning Science Admin Team
Pine-Sol in the wash? Sounds crazy right? But, people have used Pine-Sol in the wash for years! You can also use Pinalen OR another brand of Pine Cleaner as long as it has laundry instructions on the label. The same steps apply to those as stated below.
Pine-Sol in the wash:
1. Only the Original Multi-Surface Pine-Sol is laundry safe for colorfast items only (materials that don’t bleed). The other scents are not formulated to be used in the wash. The scented versions can create suds, and those suds can get to areas where they are not supposed to go, ruin any electronics inside, and can mess up your drain pump. **🇨🇦 Please note that the Canadian version of this Pine-Sol does NOT have laundry instructions on the label. It is, however, perfectly safe to use in the wash. 🇨🇦**
2. When used in the wash Pine-Sol helps deodorize, and soften clothing, towels, etc. It is also ideal for grease stains. You can rub it on the stain, and add it to the wash in general.
3. 1/4 – 1/2 cup of Pine-Sol is plenty. Use it in addition to Detergent. You can add it directly to the drum, or in the detergent drawer with detergent. Do NOT add it in the Fabric Softener dispenser. Pine-Sol is safe for all types of washers, including HE machines.
4. Pine-Sol does NOT Disinfect, or Sanitize in the wash, only on hard non-porous surfaces used at full strength.
5. Do NOT use Pine-Sol in the Bleach dispenser. Mixing Bleach and Pine-Sol in specific proportions release toxic chlorine gas. Chlorine is extremely poisonous and quickly causes loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, and death when inhaled. These cleaning products must be used separately, and not in the same load whatsoever.
6. Even if you don’t use Bleach, Pine-Sol only recommends it being added to the drum or the detergent drawer. Adding it to the Bleach compartment or fabric softener area does not ensure it is rinsed away fully, and you could have a reaction, as well as damage to your machine over time.
Source:
https://www.pinesol.com/products/original-pine-cleaner/
By: Lexi Watts