Carbona · Fabric Protectant Sprays
Carbona Stain Devils Fat & Cooking Oil Stain Remover
Liquid stain remover. No known PFAS risk, but no disclosure.
Carbona's stain remover is a liquid solvent product with no disclosed PFAS ingredients. Standard chemical cleaners rarely contain PFAS, though full ingredient transparency is absent.
Shop Carbona on Amazon →Material
Liquid organic solvent blend, likely hydrocarbon-based
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Carbona Stain Devils are hydrocarbon-based organic solvent blends formulated to dissolve lipid and oil residues without water. The active ingredients are typically aliphatic hydrocarbons (mineral spirits or similar petroleum distillates) chosen for solubility and low toxicity compared to chlorinated solvents. This chemistry avoids the halogenated compounds of older degreasers, reducing acute neurotoxicity risk, but requires attention to vapor inhalation and skin contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carbona (owned by Prestige Consumer Healthcare) has operated since the 1930s with a legacy in laundry and stain care. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions are on record for this specific product line. The brand provides basic safety data sheets and labels warnings for flammability and inhalation, but does not publish third-party certifications, environmental testing, or detailed PFAS statements; disclosure is minimal but not unusual for this product class.
How it compares in its category
Liquid hydrocarbon-based spot cleaners like Carbona are mid-range in hazard profile: safer than halogenated or aromatic solvent alternatives (which carry higher neurotoxicity and volatility) but require more care than enzyme-based or oxygen-based stain removers. This product is cost-effective and widely available; performance and safety are typical for the petroleum distillate category, with no distinctive advantage or disadvantage versus competitors like Zout or Fels-Naptha.
If you buy it
Always use in a well-ventilated space or outdoors to minimize inhalation of vapors; do not apply near heat or flames due to flammability. Test on hidden fabric first to check for dye bleeding or material damage. Apply sparingly, allow to soak for 5-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Keep away from children and pets, store in a cool, dry place, and replace if the seal is compromised or the product separates.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Hydrocarbon solvent vapor inhalation
Petroleum distillate vapors can cause dizziness, headache, and respiratory irritation with prolonged or unventilated exposure. Risk is low in typical single-use household application but increases with frequent use or poor air circulation; no acute toxicity is established at recommended doses.
Dermal sensitization and irritation
Direct skin contact with hydrocarbon solvents may cause mild to moderate irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Product label typically advises avoiding skin contact; risk is manageable with gloves and hand washing.
Flammability
Carbona Stain Devils are classified as flammable liquids due to hydrocarbon composition. Keep away from open flame, sparks, and hot surfaces; store away from ignition sources. This is a known property disclosed on the product label and safety data sheet.
Aquatic toxicity and environmental persistence
Mineral spirit hydrocarbons are slow to biodegrade and can accumulate in aquatic environments if disposed improperly. Disposal should follow local hazardous waste guidelines; avoid pouring down drains or into soil.
Optical brightener or other additives
Carbona's ingredient disclosure is limited; formulation may include trace optical brighteners, dyes, or stabilizers not listed on the front label. No documented safety concerns are on record, but full chemical transparency is not provided by the brand.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Fabric Protectant Sprays
Seventh Generation
Natural Laundry Stain Remover
water-based surfactant formula
Lower concern. Seventh Generation transparent on PFAS avoidance.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Laundry Stain Remover, Fragrance-Free, 16 oz Spray Bottle, 8/Carton
Aqueous cleaning concentrate, spray bottle dispenser
Lower concern. MADE SAFE certified laundry product with stated PFAS-free formulation.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Grandma's Secret
Grandmas Secret Spot Remover
Proprietary liquid concentrate, primarily surfactants and plant-based solvents
Liquid cleaner with no known PFAS risk; standard precaution applies.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
More fabric protectant sprays grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.