Lysol

Dr. John H. McElroy and his wife Mary created Lysol in St. Louis during 1889 as a surgical disinfectant. The name comes from the Greek word lysis, which means loosening or dissolving, describing how the formula broke down organic matter to kill germs. During World War I and the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, doctors relied on the product to sanitize hospitals and prevent infection spread.

The company shifted focus to household use after the wars, introducing aerosol sprays in the 1940s that became a staple in American kitchens. Reckitt now owns the brand and manages global operations from Slough, United Kingdom, while maintaining major manufacturing hubs in Ohio and New Jersey. In North America, consumers know it as Lysol, but the same technology appears under names like Dettol in Europe and Sagrotan in parts of Africa.

Reckitt announced a $600 million investment plan in 2026 to expand U.S. manufacturing capabilities, including a new 145,000-square-foot research facility in Nutley, New Jersey. The company also integrated generative AI into its creative development, reporting an 80% reduction in production costs for marketing campaigns. Recent product launches include limited-edition Air Sanitizer scents like Apple Cinnamon and Winter Woods for the fall season. [edit]