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Formula 409's flagship product was invented in 1957 by Morris D. Rouff, whose Michigan company manufactured industrial cleaning supplies. Formula 409 was originally developed as a commercial solvent and degreaser for industries with particularly difficult cleaning problems.
The brands namesake product's moniker is a point of contention with many opposing theories. The inventor's son has stated that it was named for the birthday of the inventor's wife, Ruth, on April the 9th or 4 09. The Formula 49 company, however, claims that it was named as the 409th compound formulation tested by the inventors. Other claimed origins for the name include 409 being the telephone area code where it was invented however area code 409 was not introduced until 1983. Other possible origins include the birthday of some other person significant to the inventor, such as the inventor's daughter; or a reference to a powerful Chevrolet car engine used in the 1960s. Safe to say, the original origin of the name is lost to history and will remain a point of public interest and debate.
In 1960, Rouff sold Formula 409 to Chemzol, a New York firm, for some undisclosed amount between $100,000 and $1M. In the early 1960s, entrepreneur Wilson Harrell, along with his life-long friend David Woodcock and TV personality Art Linkletter, bought Formula 409 from Chemzol. They bought it for just $30,000 and soon took it nationwide. Linkletter promoted the product in television advertisements, leading to Formula 409 gaining a 55 percent market-share in its category of products. Six years later, Harrell, Woodcock & Linkletter sold the company to Clorox for $7 million.
In early 2020, Formula 409 became hard to find in stores and disappeared from the product listings on Clorox's website, causing some to speculate Clorox had discontinued the product. In October 2020 a spokesperson said that production of 409 Multi-Surface cleaner had been temporarily suspended to prioritize production of more potent anti-viral products but as of January 2021, Formula 409 products has been resupplied and can be found nationwide. Fans of the brand might be surprised to learn that Formula 409 is well known in the United States, but virtually unknown in other places.
Since Formula 409 was purchased by Clorox, it has become one of many products in the Clorox Company's product portfolio. Through an aggressive period of expansion back in the 1970s through 1990s, Clorox was able to acquire a variety of well known brands, including Formula 409, becoming a global and wide reaching conglomerate providing a variety of household, health, and food products. Here's a list of Clorox Company brands that are sister brands to Formula 409:
Brita - A water filtration company operating mainly in the US.
Burt's Bees - A line of natural personal care products made without harsh chemicals.
Fresh Step, Scoop Away, Ever Clean Cat Litters - Producer of various cat litters making pet ownership more sanitary and convenient.
Glad - A manufacturer of disposable garbage bag liners and plastic wrap films and kitchenware.
Green Works cleaners - Producer of powerful natural cleaners that are safe for the environment.
Hidden Valley Dressing - The salad dressing company that popularized the iconic Ranch flavor.
Kingsford Charcoal - A company first started to make use of the lumber waste produced by Ford's lumber mills, Kingsford Charcoal was acquired by Clorox in 1973.
KC Masterpiece Sauce - A barbeque sauce originally developed and popularized in Kansas city, was brought to worldwide fame thanks to Clorox's acquisition of the company 1986.
Pine-sol - A cleaning detergent originally made with pine sap, which was acquired by Clorox in 1990.
You are undoubtedly already familiar with Clorox's most popular products, even if you didn't realize they fall under the Clorox umbrella of companies. Whether it's a household cleaning detergent, natural health care products, or goods for your pets or for your kitchen, you can rely on Clorox products to be of the highest quality.
One of Formula 409's flagship products, the best selling Formula 409 Multi-Surface Cleaner is the all over the house cleaner for cutting out grease, and cleaning surfaces and killing 99.9% of germs. Available in both Original and Lemon scents, Formula 409 will clean almost anything.
Kitchen surfaces like marble, granite, limestone and other natural surfaces see a lot of messy spills, splatters and splotches. This spray cuts through those greasy messes to leave your natural stone and steel surfaces sparkling clean and streak-free. Features Smart Tube Technology, so you can spray every bit of the cleaner until it's completely gone; no waste!
Nothing will ruin a good time like a bad spill or stain on your carpet. Smart homeowners know to have a good supply of Formula 409 Carpet Spot & Stain Cleaner on hand to tackle everything from wine or beer to pet accidents. Even better, it features Stainblock technology to help prevent future messes from setting in.
Perfect for use in commercial kitchens, schools and office break rooms, Formula 409 Cleaner and Degreaser dissolves grease, grime and food stains. Not many people realize that Formula 409s original use was primarily a degreaser, but once you try it you'll see there's no better cleaning solution to have in a commercial kitchen than Formula 409 Degreaser.
Formula 409 Glass & Surface Cleaner powerfully cleans many surfaces, including glass, mirrors, and stainless steel. Formulated for streak-free, crystal clear surface cleaning, Formula 409 Glass & Surface Cleaner is safe and effective on all kinds of surfaces. This powerful cleaner can be used on most surfaces which makes it perfect for use in commercial kitchens, offices and schools.
What company owns Formula 409?
The Clorox Company owns Formula 409 and in the US falls under its parent organization the Henkel North American Consumer Goods company.
Why is it called Formula 409?
According to the Formula 409 website, it took the inventors 409 attempts to arrive at the product we know as Formula 409 today.
Is Formula 409® Carpet Spot & Stain Cleaner harmful to kids or pets?
No, it isn't. Follow the instructions and use it as directed, and you are safe using it around your kids or pets. As with most cleaning products, keep this stuff away from kids at all times.
What is Smart Tube® Technology?
That's the name for Formula 409's bottle design, which helps you get every last drop from the bottle and makes it 33% easier to spray. It's also used in other Clorox brand product bottles.
What is the shelf life of Formula 409® Carpet Spot & Stain Cleaner?
Formula 409's shelflife is one year. After a year it might not clean as effectively and it's Stainblock
Can I mix Formula 409® Multi-Surface Cleaner with other products, like bleach?
No, we don't recommend mixing with anything that's not water. Mixing cleaning products can result in toxic fumes or chemical reactions, don't do it!
Does Formula 409® Multi-Surface Cleaner disinfect?
Yes, it's a registered disinfectant that kills 99.9% of bacteria.
Can I refill a Formula 409® bottle?
Yes, have a look at our Formula 409 refills to save money buying cleaning supplies:
What is the most effective multi surface spray degreaser?
Formula 409 Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant wipes away stubborn grease stains in minutes. It's also an EPA-registered disinfectant and sanitizer that's formulated to kill salmonella, staph, E. coli and athlete's foot fungus on non-food-contact surfaces. See it on our site here:
Has Formula 409 been discontinued? Is there a shortage?
In 2020 Clorox briefly paused the production of Formula 409 to focus on the production of stronger disinfectants and cleaners to help with the COVID 19 outbreak. It has since returned to production and is available in most stores.
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1. Lease. Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP ("GP") leases to undersigned ("End User") certain enMotion® dispensers ("Dispensers"). All Dispensers remain GP's property. Lease begins when GP delivers a Dispenser to End User and continues for 5 years, unless terminated as provided herein, and will extend automatically annually thereafter without further charge.
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