Gojo · Hand Soap
GOJO Cherry Gel Pumice Hand Cleaner
Lower PFAS concern; a simple gel-and-pumice cleaner unlikely to require PFAS chemistry.
GOJO Cherry Gel Pumice is a standard mechanical hand cleaner combining gel with abrasive pumice, categories where PFAS use is not typical or documented. No waterproof, nonstick, or stain-resistant claims suggest minimal PFAS trigger points.
Shop Gojo on Amazon →Material
Gel cleanser with pumice; no Teflon-family coating or waterproofing coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
GOJO Cherry Gel Pumice is a water-based gel cleanser blended with ground pumice stone particles for mechanical abrasion. The gel matrix typically contains surfactants, humectants, and preservatives; the pumice provides the scrubbing action without requiring synthetic coatings or Teflon-family coating. This simple formulation, detergent plus inert mineral, poses minimal chemical hazard compared to hand cleaners relying on solvents, microplastics, or complex binders.
The brand's record and disclosure
GOJO Industries has a long history as a leading hand hygiene manufacturer (also makers of Purell hand sanitizer). The company does not publicly issue detailed ingredient or safety disclosures specific to this product beyond standard labeling. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for Cherry Gel Pumice. Brand transparency on specific chemical composition is limited, but the product has been in wide commercial and consumer use for decades without documented adverse safety events.
How it compares in its category
Pumice-based hand cleaners occupy a middle ground in the hand soap market. They are less chemically complex than solvent-based mechanics cleaners (which may contain naphtha or citrus extracts) and simpler than formulations using plastic microbeads or synthetic scrubbers. Versus bar soap or basic liquid hand soap, this product trades gentleness for cleaning power on heavily soiled hands; it is more abrasive but avoids microplastics and microbeads banned in many jurisdictions.
If you buy it
Use as directed on wet hands and rinse thoroughly. Pumice is mildly abrasive; avoid use on broken, irritated, or very sensitive skin. The gel formula is water-soluble and requires no special storage beyond keeping the dispenser closed and dry. For individuals with very dry skin, follow up with hand lotion to counteract the drying effect of mechanical scrubbing. No special disposal or maintenance concerns apply.
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.”
Skin irritation from pumice abrasion
Ground pumice is mechanical abrasive and can cause minor cuts or irritation on sensitive or compromised skin, especially with frequent use or aggressive scrubbing. This is a use-dependent hazard, not a chemical one.
Preservative allergens or irritants
Gel hand cleaners require antimicrobial preservatives; common ones include methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or parabens. No specific preservative is disclosed for this product, but some individuals report contact dermatitis to standard preservatives used in mass-market cleaners.
Fragrance allergens
The product contains cherry fragrance, which may be synthetic or natural. Fragrance compounds can trigger allergic contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals, though clinical prevalence is low at hand soap concentrations.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservative system
While some cosmetic and personal care products use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin), no public documentation confirms their presence in GOJO Cherry Gel Pumice. Not flagged as an ingredient concern for this product line.
Heavy metals in mineral additive
Pumice stone is a natural volcanic mineral; geological pumice can carry trace metals (arsenic, lead). Food-grade and cosmetic pumice sources are typically screened, but no third-party testing data is publicly available for this specific product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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 Hand Soap
Ecos
Orange Hand Soap
Plant-based surfactants, water, essential oils (orange)
Lower concern, solid plant-based formula with credible third-party oversight; no PFAS-prone materials.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash, Free Clean
aqueous surfactants, botanicals, water-based formula
Lower PFAS concern; buy with confidence if skin-sensitivity is a priority.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Liquid Hand Soap Free & Clean
Water-based liquid soap formulation
Lower-concern choice; no PFAS expected in liquid soap format, but verification limited to brand claims.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand soap 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.