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Brand origin
United States
Main production
Several countries, incl. Italy

Palmolive is a consumer brand best known for soaps, dishwashing liquids, and personal care products. Palmolive is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.

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Updated: 22 October 2026 · Ownership verified: 13 September 2026 ·
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About Palmolive

What is Palmolive?

Palmolive is a consumer brand associated with dishwashing liquids, bar soap, shampoo, and other personal care products. Colgate-Palmolive lists Palmolive among its home care and personal care brands, alongside brands such as Ajax, Irish Spring, Softsoap, and Speed Stick. Palmolive products are sold in more than 200 countries and territories through Colgate-Palmolive’s international operations. Palmolive began as a soap brand. Palmolive Soap was introduced in Milwaukee in 1898 by the B.J. Johnson Soap Company. The soap used palm, olive, and coconut oils. The Palmolive name referred specifically to two principal oils used in the soap, palm oil and olive oil. The brand later expanded beyond bar soap. Palmolive products now include dishwashing liquids, antibacterial dish liquids, shampoo, and other personal care products. Product ranges differ by country, so a Palmolive product available in one market may not be sold under the same name or formulation elsewhere.

Who owns Palmolive?

Palmolive is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. Colgate-Palmolive Company is headquartered in the United States and is a publicly listed company. Palmolive is part of Colgate-Palmolive’s portfolio of home care and personal care brands. The current owner was formed through the 1928 merger of the Palmolive-Peet Company and Colgate, which created the Colgate Palmolive Peet Company. The corporation adopted the present name, Colgate-Palmolive Company, in 1953. The largest disclosed institutional shareholders identified in Colgate-Palmolive’s proxy materials include The Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Vanguard reported beneficial ownership of 82,189,533 shares as of 31 January 2025, while BlackRock reported beneficial ownership of 65,563,643 shares as of 30 September 2024. These shareholders own shares in the publicly listed parent company. They are not separate owners of Palmolive. Colgate-Palmolive reported worldwide net sales of $20.4 billion for 2025. That figure covers the whole company and does not represent Palmolive-specific sales.

Where does Palmolive come from?

Palmolive originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Burdette J. Johnson founded B.J. Johnson & Company there in 1864, and the business later became the Palmolive Company. The B.J. Johnson Soap Company introduced Palmolive Soap in Milwaukee in 1898. The original formula used palm, olive, and coconut oils. Initial sales were disappointing, but an extensive advertising campaign later made Palmolive commercially successful. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Palmolive was described as the world’s best-selling soap. The company changed its name to the Palmolive Company in 1917 after the commercial success of the Palmolive brand. Palmolive introduced Palmolive Rouge and Palmolive Lip Rouge in the same year. Palmolive and Peet Brothers merged in 1926 to form the Palmolive-Peet Company. The Palmolive-Peet Company then merged with Colgate on 1 July 1928. The merger combined three major American soap and perfumery companies, and the combined assets were reported to exceed $66 million. Palmolive expanded internationally during the early twentieth century. Palmolive established a Canadian factory in 1917. Palmolive Company of England Ltd. was founded in 1922. Palmolive Company (Australasia) Ltd. was established in 1921 and built a factory in Balmain, Sydney, in 1923 at a projected cost of £150,000.

What products does Palmolive make?

Palmolive makes dishwashing liquids, bar soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products. The exact product portfolio varies by country and is distributed through Colgate-Palmolive’s regional operations. Palmolive dishwashing products include Palmolive Ultra and Palmolive Antibacterial in the United States. Palmolive’s official product FAQ states that Palmolive Ultra is formulated without parabens and phosphates. The company also provides ingredient and sustainability information through SmartLabel pages for individual formulas. Palmolive Antibacterial dish liquid is available in several sizes in the Orange scent in the United States. Palmolive states that the product kills 99.9% of specified bacteria on dishes and kitchen surfaces when used as directed. The named organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Palmolive also makes bar soap and shampoo products in some markets. These products are separate formulations from Palmolive dishwashing liquids. Ingredient lists and product claims should therefore be checked for the specific product and country.

Is Palmolive dish soap antibacterial?

Palmolive dish soap is antibacterial only when the specific product is labeled Palmolive Antibacterial. Palmolive’s official FAQ says that the antibacterial dish liquid kills 99.9% of specified bacteria on dishes and kitchen surfaces when used as directed. Regular Palmolive dishwashing liquids are not automatically antibacterial because they carry the Palmolive name. The product label identifies whether a particular formula has an antibacterial claim. Palmolive states that its antibacterial product contains a plant-based active ingredient. Palmolive Antibacterial can also be used on kitchen surfaces such as sinks, countertops, and stovetops when diluted as needed and wiped with a wet cloth, according to Palmolive’s instructions.

Is Palmolive dish soap safe, toxic, or mild?

Palmolive dish soap is intended for washing dishes by hand when used according to the product label, but Palmolive dish soap should not be swallowed and can irritate the eyes. A product listing for Palmolive Original warns that the liquid may irritate eyes and instructs users to rinse immediately with water after eye contact. Palmolive’s manufacturer states that Palmolive Ultra is formulated without parabens and phosphates. Colgate-Palmolive says that its ingredients are evaluated against safety standards and applicable government regulations in the markets where the products are sold. Palmolive dish soap is not a neutral automatic-dishwasher detergent. Palmolive specifically says not to use Palmolive Ultra in an automatic dishwasher because the suds can overflow and damage the machine. Palmolive also says not to mix dish soap with bleach or products containing bleach because the reaction can produce toxic fumes. The term mild does not describe every Palmolive formula in every market. Palmolive products differ by formulation, scent, concentration, and intended use. A shopper with sensitive skin should consult the ingredient list and warnings on the particular bottle.

Is Palmolive dish soap safe for dogs and cats?

Palmolive dish soap is not a pet food or veterinary product, and pets should not ingest it. Palmolive product warnings state that the dish liquid should be kept out of reach of children and should not be used in an automatic dishwasher. A small amount of diluted dish soap may be used for some cleaning tasks involving washable household items, but the product should be thoroughly rinsed so that residue is not swallowed or left on an animal’s skin. Palmolive dish soap should not be applied to a dog or cat as a routine shampoo without veterinary guidance. For accidental ingestion, eye exposure, or skin irritation, the appropriate response depends on the animal, product, and amount involved. A veterinarian or animal poison service can provide case-specific advice.

Is Palmolive cruelty free?

Palmolive does not have a single worldwide cruelty-free status that can be determined from the brand name alone. Colgate-Palmolive states that it is committed to animal welfare and publishes an animal testing policy. Palmolive products are sold in many countries, and testing requirements and product policies can differ by market and product category. A cruelty-free assessment therefore depends on the specific Palmolive product, country, certification, and current corporate policy. The product packaging and Colgate-Palmolive’s published animal testing policy provide the relevant information for a particular purchase.

Is Palmolive as good as Dawn, and is Palmolive the same as Dawn?

Palmolive and Dawn are different dishwashing brands. Palmolive is owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, while Dawn is a separate brand owned by Procter & Gamble. Palmolive and Dawn may both sell liquid hand dishwashing products, but their formulas, scents, concentrations, antibacterial claims, prices, and regional availability can differ. Palmolive should not be assumed to have the same performance or ingredients as Dawn without comparing the specific products. Palmolive’s portfolio includes regular and antibacterial dish liquids, while product claims vary by formula. A direct comparison should use the labels for the particular Palmolive and Dawn products being considered.

Where are Palmolive products made and sold?

Palmolive products are manufactured and marketed through Colgate-Palmolive operations across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa and Eurasia. Colgate-Palmolive products, including Palmolive products, are sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Palmolive’s early international expansion included a Canadian factory established in 1917, an English company founded in 1922, and an Australasian company established in 1921. The Australasian business built a factory in Balmain, Sydney, in 1923 at a projected cost of £150,000. Manufacturing origin, package size, ingredients, and available product variants can differ between countries. The country of manufacture is shown on the individual package where required.

Frequently asked questions about Palmolive

Who owns Palmolive dish soap?

Palmolive dish soap is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. Palmolive dish soap is one of Colgate-Palmolive’s home care products.

Who owns Palmolive shampoo and bar soap?

Palmolive shampoo and Palmolive bar soap are ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company. Palmolive began as a soap brand before expanding into dishwashing and personal care products.

Are Palmolive and Colgate the same?

Palmolive and Colgate are separate brands owned by the same parent company, Colgate-Palmolive Company. Colgate is primarily associated with oral care, while Palmolive is associated with home care and personal care products.

Is Palmolive dish soap pH neutral?

Palmolive dish soap is not universally pH neutral because formulas differ by product and market. One listed Palmolive Ultra Strength formula has a reported pH range of 3.0 to 3.8, so the specific bottle’s label or manufacturer information should be checked.

Is Palmolive Oxy dish soap antibacterial?

The Palmolive name alone does not establish that a product is antibacterial. Palmolive’s official FAQ identifies Palmolive Antibacterial as the product carrying the antibacterial claim, so shoppers should check whether a Palmolive Oxy product is specifically labeled antibacterial.

Who are the largest shareholders of Colgate-Palmolive?

Colgate-Palmolive’s proxy materials identify The Vanguard Group and BlackRock among its largest disclosed institutional shareholders. Vanguard reported beneficial ownership of 82,189,533 shares as of 31 January 2025, and BlackRock reported 65,563,643 shares as of 30 September 2024.

Does Palmolive dish soap contain parabens or phosphates?

Palmolive states that Palmolive Ultra is formulated without parabens and phosphates. Formulations can vary by product and country, so the ingredient information for the specific bottle remains the controlling source.

Can Palmolive dish soap be used in an automatic dishwasher?

No. Palmolive says not to use Palmolive Ultra dish soap in an automatic dishwasher because the suds can overflow and damage the machine. Palmolive dish soap is intended for hand dishwashing unless the product label says otherwise.

Sources: investor.colgatepalmolive.com: 4298e292 4aaf 4b10 8953 aad27c1065d7, palmolive.com, colgatepalmolive.com: history, colgatepalmolivecompany.gcs-web.com, investor.colgatepalmolive.com: sec filings, colgatepalmolive.com: faqs, colgatepalmolive.com: ingredient safety, sec.gov, en.wikipedia.org: Palmolive (brand), es.wikipedia.org, pt.wikipedia.org, forbes.com, cosmeticsandskin.com, milwaukeemag.com, pl.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org: Colgate Palmolive, colgatepalmolive.com: 220 years global innovation history, alchetron.com, umbrex.com, zippia.com, ebsco.com, britannica.com

Palmolive in the Magazine

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, colgatepalmolive.com

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