Pine Glo vs Pine SOL: Here Are the Facts and the Winner

When it comes to cleaners and disinfectants, a common debate is if Pine SOL and Pine Glo are the same. They have very similar names, advertise a pine fragrance and are meant for similar purposes. The big obvious difference is the price. While the former is a worthwhile investment for a cleaning product, the latter is quite cost-effective. So, is there any obvious advantage when using Pine SOL or an inherent disadvantage when using Pine Glo? Let us find out.

The fragrance

This is the first clue that the two are not the same. Even though real pine oil is no longer a major constituent of Pine SOL, pine oil is still used to give Pine SOL its unique smell. As such, the smell is more pleasing and it lasts longer. It also does not deteriorate badly with time. It isn’t too strong either.

Pine Glo, on the other hand, does not use pine oil at all. Its fragrance is bought about by artificial chemicals. While they do try to make it smell like pine, the fragrance comes off as a cheap knock off. It is somewhat generic in nature and the fragrance does not really last long. If used in closed quarters, this fragrance can deteriorate rather badly as well.

Dilution

This best explains the parity in the price of these two products. While Pine SOL can be diluted for lighter applications, Pine Glo has to be used as is in all cases. Pine Glo loses a good part of its cleaning and disinfecting capabilities once it is diluted which is not the case with Pine SOL.

Health effects

Both are somewhat similar in this regard. Modern regulations governing cleaning products mean that they aren’t as dangerous as some cleaning products used to be. However, they can still cause some discomfort. Both can cause breathing issues if used in a closed area with Pine Glo being a bit more aggressive. The same applies to their propensity for aggravating allergies. Some people also tend to experience skin irritations when using Pine Glo. Pine SOL can be considered as the lesser of two evils in this case.

Cleaning capabilities

This is where the differences really shine through. The old adage of “you get what you pay for” is apt here. Pine SOL is more expensive and it has greater cleaning capabilities. This is especially true when it comes to stubborn spots. Pine Glo works fine in most cases but it will occasionally force you to put extra effort.

Disinfecting powers

This is, surprisingly, very similar in both these products. They are equally good at disinfecting in their default state. However, if you dilute them, Pine SOL would still be able to disinfect effectively while Pine Glo won’t be able to keep up. This justifies the higher price tag of Pine SOL.

Winner and Conclusion

Choosing the right cleaning products might not seem like a big deal at first but it can have a big effect both in monetary terms as well as the effort involved. Pine Glo is strictly meant for those trying to make do with a small budget. It has some flaws but still works. However, if you can get Pine SOL, then do so as the added benefits more than justify its premium price.