Purell

About Purell

Purell is one of the most recognized hand hygiene brands in the world, invented in 1988 and brought to the consumer market in 1997 by GOJO Industries, a family-owned company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. What started as a product developed for industrial and healthcare settings grew into a household name that fundamentally changed the way people think about hand cleanliness and germ protection on the go.

A Legacy Built on Innovation

GOJO Industries was founded in 1946 by Jerry and Goldie Lippman, originally to solve a real-world problem: factory workers needed a safer, more effective way to remove grease, tar, and carbon from their hands without relying on harsh solvents like kerosene. That spirit of practical problem-solving carried forward into the development of Purell, which introduced the concept of waterless, instant hand sanitization to a skeptical market decades before it became ubiquitous. It took persistence and vision, but the product eventually became a cornerstone of public health hygiene across industries from healthcare to foodservice to hospitality.

After a brief period under Johnson & Johnson's ownership following a 2006 acquisition, GOJO reacquired the Purell brand in 2010 and has since continued expanding its product lineup and innovation efforts. In 2026, Clorox completed its acquisition of GOJO Industries, further cementing Purell's place within a broader portfolio of trusted hygiene and cleaning brands.

Product Range & Formats

Purell's lineup goes well beyond the iconic small pump bottle. The brand offers hand sanitizer in gel, foam, and wipe formulations, designed to suit everything from personal portability to high-traffic commercial dispensing. Wall-mount dispensers, floor stands, touch-free systems, tabletop pump bottles, and single-use portable packets make it easy to provide hand hygiene access in virtually any environment — from garage workbenches and job sites to medical facilities and break rooms.

GOJO has also developed smart dispenser technology under the SMARTLINK™ platform, which enables facility managers to monitor sanitizer levels remotely and ensure dispensers are never empty — a significant advantage in high-traffic settings like hospitals, where hand hygiene compliance is critical.

Trusted Across Industries

Purell has earned particular trust in healthcare, where its formulations are designed to be effective against germs even under demanding conditions, while also including moisturizers and skin conditioners that help hands stay soft with repeated use. The brand is widely recommended by medical professionals and has become a standard feature in hospitals, clinics, schools, restaurants, manufacturing facilities, and beyond.

Whether you need a compact bottle for a first aid kit, a bulk refill for a commercial dispenser, or a portable packet for a tool bag or work vehicle, Purell offers a format built for the task. Its reputation for reliability and effectiveness has made it a go-to solution anywhere clean hands matter.