Lestoil vs. Pinesol Ingredients, Performance, & Price

What is the difference between Lestoil and Pine-Sol cleaners? 

1. Pine-Sol in 2018 does not contain any real pine oil.
2. Lestoil in 2018 still contains real Pine Oil.
3. Lestoil contains Stoddard Solvents, which are heavy duty dry cleaning like chemicals.
4. Pine-Sol is much less heavy duty and does not contain any heavy duty dry cleaning chemicals like Lestoil.
5. Lestoil works better for removing grease and oil from clothes. Whereas Pine-Sol makes a decent all around household cleaner.
6. Pine-Sol is both cheaper and easier to find in 2018. This is because Lestoil has become less of a household name over time, and much less money is spent on advertising Lestoil in 2018 than Pine-sol.
7. I was able to find Lestoil on Amazon and here is the link. I highly recommend it for removing soiled greasy oil stains from clothing.
8. They’re both owned by Clorox in 2018. But both have had their own histories independent of Clorox.

Lestoil Vs. Pine-Sol they’re completely different formulas:

Lestoil is the much heavier duty cleaner. Also, Pine-Sol no longer contains any tall pine oil while Lestoil still does.

Even though Pine-sol’s name would have you believe it still includes Pine Oil, that ingredient was removed due to how expensive real pine oil is.

Lestoil has between %1-5 pine oil, while Pine-Sol in 2018 no longer has any.

Pine-sol is marketed as a general purpose household cleaner and disinfectant.

Similarly, Clorox defines Lestoil as a “general purpose dilutable cleaner.”

Based on pricing from Amazon, Lestoil runs roughly around 0.16 a fluid ounce (if you buy the four 48oz bottles).

Pine-sol runs roughly .09 per fluid ounce.

Meaning, Pine-sol is cheaper, however it is cheaper to produce because it does not include pine oil whereas Lestoil still does. 

You can get a full list of ingredients, toxicity reports, and more information by reading the Safety Data Sheet for Pinesol here, and for Lestoil here.

Many people have questioned whether Lestoil’s ingredients have recently changed.

I called Clorox directly to ask. They said there had been “no formula changes” in the products history.

I wasn’t fully convinced, as some people on Amazon who have used it for years swear it has changed and works less efficiently.

However, Clorox denied any formula change that they could see that would warrant any claims as such. 

Lestoil’s Ingredients as of 2018:

1. Tall oil fatty acids sodium salts  5 – 10%
2. Stoddard solvent 3 – 7%
3. Pine oil 1 – 5%
4. Sodium hydroxide 0.1 – 1%

They are allowed to keep the exact concentrations a secret, due to laws allowing “trade secrets” to be kept confidential. That is why the percentages listed above have such a wide range.

Pine-sol’s Ingredients as of 2018:

1. Alkyl alcohol alkoxylate 3-7%
2. Glycolic acid 1-5%

Notice there is no pine oil in the current version of Pine-Sol sold in stores nationwide!

The best way to get a cleaner that still has the pine oil in its ingredients is to buy Lestoil cleaner. As of 2018 it still contains pine oil, as well as other heavier duty chemicals than Pine-sol. If you want the cheaper cleaner that does a decent job with floors, household cleaning, Pine-sol will do the job. 

But if you want a strong cleaner, that still contains real pine oil and other heavy duty “dry cleaner” chemicals get the Lestoil cleaner.

People swear by it, especially for removing oil and grease from clothing. Pre-soak your laundry in some Lestoil before washing. You can dilute it or use it full strength.

Really after reading the ingredients, talking with a representative for Clorox, and reading the reviews online the best cleaner out there for getting those grease stains out is still Lestoil in 2018.

Lestoil was invented in 1933, and it still continues as one of the strongest, best, and unchanged cleaners out there. Grab a bottle for cheap on Amazon by clicking here. 

What is the best cleaner for removing automotive grease or oil from clothes?

Just save yourself the hassle of researching all the different chemicals and ways to wash your clothes. I spent 40 hours researching this and calling the company.

Ok, maybe it wasn’t 40 hours. But it felt forever. I’ve never called a cleaning company to ask about their products.

Just buy yourself a nice big jug of Lestoil like this one on Amazon (I already found you the best price) and save yourself the time using lesser quality products.

If you haven’t already read my article on how to remove grease and oil from clothes, I ask that you go read that first (link here). It will have some other pointers and pro tips to use if you’re struggling at removing those pesky grease stains from your clothes.

What is Stoddard Solvent in Lestoil:

“Stoddard solvent is a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene. Stoddard solvent is a petroleum mixture that is also known as dry cleaning safety solvent, petroleum solvent, and varnoline. It is a chemical mixture that is similar to white spirits. Stoddard solvent is used as a paint thinner; in some types of photocopier toners, printing inks, and adhesives; as a dry cleaning solvent; and as a general cleaner and degreaser.” From the CDC page here.

• The stoddard solvent is what gives Lestoil its strong and heavy smell.
• It is also what makes it work well as a degreaser, laundry solvent, and why it has been loved by mechanics and professionals since 1933.
• If they ever remove the stoddard solvent from Lestoil I am sure it will work less well.

Pinesol Vs. Lestoil which is better?

If you’re just cleaning your house or floors from daily activities stick with any general cleaner like Pine-sol. There is nothing special about Pine-Sol and nothing really worth writing about for it.

It works well for what it is, and people like it. It is cheaper for Clorox to produce, and therefore it is cheaper to buy in the stores as well.

Is it as strong as Lestoil? Or good for the same things? No. Here’s why:

Lestoil still contains real pine oil, which is expensive to harvest, and it still contains Stoddard Solvents which are commonly used in dry cleaning.

This means Lestoil has a huge edge on many products out there, because it contains the heavy duty chemicals needed to cut through automotive grease and oils.

Don’t waste your time with Pine-sol, just go grab a bottle of Lestoil and make sure you keep it somewhere no kids will get into it! Lestoil is heavy duty, and should be treated with respect!

Make sure you run your clothes for an extra rinse if using Lestoil to help with stains. I spent 20 hours researching the best ways to get grease out of clothes. I posted my article on this website, its just a quick hop away (heres the link). If you want the pro tips on how to remove automotive grease stains read that article.