Gojo · Hand Soap
GOJO Premium Liquid Hand Soap Refill Waterfall Scent
Lower-concern liquid soap; no known PFAS triggers, but no brand transparency on formulation.
GOJO Premium Liquid Hand Soap is a standard foaming/liquid soap with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coating, typical uses that drive PFAS risk. The product contains no known Teflon-family coating or Teflon-type coating coatings.
Shop Gojo on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid soap formulation
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 Premium Liquid Hand Soap is an aqueous surfactant-based formulation designed for skin cleansing. Unlike solid soaps or bar products, liquid soaps in pump dispensers are chemically stable and do not concentrate over time. The 'Waterfall Scent' variant contains fragrance compounds and likely preservatives to prevent microbial growth in the bulk refill container. No coating, ceramic, or heated-application step means traditional leaching hazards (lead, cadmium, Teflon-type coating) do not apply to this product category.
The brand's record and disclosure
GOJO Industries is the manufacturer of PURELL and other antimicrobial soaps; the company has faced no major product recalls or safety controversies in the hand soap category on public record. GOJO does not publicly disclose detailed fragrance ingredient breakdowns or full ingredient lists for proprietary scent formulations, which is standard industry practice but limits transparency. The brand has not made explicit public statements about PFAS avoidance in hand soap products, consistent with industry-wide silence on this issue for non-repellent applications.
How it compares in its category
GOJO Premium positions itself as a mid-market commercial hand soap; it lacks third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, Cradle to Cradle) that some competitors advertise. Compared to fragrance-free clinical soaps, scented variants carry a slightly higher risk of undisclosed fragrance allergen exposure, though dermal contact during hand washing is brief and diluted. Refill bottles reduce packaging waste relative to single-use pump bottles but require proper rinsing of the dispenser to prevent bacterial film buildup.
If you buy it
Use at normal water temperature (warm or cool); no special storage conditions are required beyond keeping the refill sealed until use. Empty and rinse the pump dispenser every 2-4 weeks with hot water to prevent biofilm accumulation, especially in high-moisture environments like shared bathrooms. If irritation develops after switching to this product, fragrance or preservative sensitivity is the most likely culprit; switch to fragrance-free alternatives. The product has no expiration date risk typical of cosmetics because it is a detergent base, not an emulsion.
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.”
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed)
Proprietary 'Waterfall Scent' formulation is not fully ingredient-listed on packaging. Fragrance compounds can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals, though exposure during hand washing is typically brief and diluted.
Preservative-related irritation
Liquid soaps require antimicrobial preservatives to prevent mold and bacteria in bulk containers. Common preservatives (methylisothiazolinone, parabens) are generally safe at use concentration but may cause skin sensitization in individuals with compromised skin barriers.
Bacterial contamination if dispenser unmaintained
Pump dispensers and refill bottles can develop biofilm if not cleaned regularly, especially in humid environments. This is a hygiene issue rather than a chemical hazard, but it undermines the antimicrobial purpose of the product.
1,4-dioxane as trace contaminant
No public recalls or testing reports identify 1,4-dioxane in GOJO Premium Liquid Hand Soap. As an aqueous liquid soap (not a surfactant-heavy foam or emulsion), this product is lower-risk for this contaminant than some personal care products.
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 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.