Who owns Ajax cleaner?

Ajax cleaner is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. Colgate-Palmolive continues to sell Ajax powdered cleanser and Ajax dishwashing liquid in North America.

Yes. Ajax for Dishes debuted in 1971 and is now called Ajax Dishwashing Liquid. Ajax also includes other cleaning products, so the name does not refer only to dish soap.

Is Ajax a good dish soap?

Ajax dishwashing liquid is a household dishwashing product, but whether it suits a particular shopper depends on the specific formula, cleaning needs, fragrance, and label instructions. Product performance can vary across markets and versions.

Is Ajax dish soap antibacterial?

Some Ajax dishwashing products have been marketed with an antibacterial hand-soap variant, including a product introduced by Colgate-Palmolive in 1997. Not every Ajax dishwashing liquid should be assumed to have antibacterial properties.

Is Ajax dish soap safe for dogs or cats?

Ajax dish soap should be used around dogs or cats only as directed on the product label, and animals should not ingest it. The safety assessment depends on the exact formula and exposure, so suspected ingestion or significant contact should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Is Ajax or Comet better?

Ajax and Comet are separate cleanser brands, and neither is universally better. The appropriate choice depends on the specific formula, surface, ingredients, and directions for use.

Ajax is not one single bleach product. Ajax includes powdered cleansers, dishwashing liquids, and laundry detergents, and some laundry formulas were offered with a bleach alternative.

Why is Ajax associated with the Odyssey?

Ajax is a figure from Greek mythology associated with the Homeric epics, including the Odyssey. The Ajax cleaning product used the mythological name and referred to the Greek hero in its original “Stronger than dirt!” slogan.

Who owns Ajax?

Ajax

Ultimate ownerUnited StatesColgate-Palmolive Company

Made O'Meter is free and ad-free, built to keep ownership like this transparent.

Brand origin: United States
Main production: Several countries, incl. Greece

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About Ajax

What is Ajax?

Ajax is a household cleaning brand best known for powdered cleanser and dishwashing liquid. Colgate-Palmolive launched Ajax powdered cleanser in 1947 as one of its first major brands. Colgate-Palmolive identifies Ajax as a global cleaning-products brand launched in 1947. The brand originated in the United States. Ajax products have included powdered cleansers, all-purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, window cleaners, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and antibacterial hand soap. Colgate-Palmolive continues to sell Ajax powdered cleanser and Ajax dishwashing liquid in North America. Ajax products achieved their greatest success during the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. The name is associated with household cleaning products, but Ajax is also used by unrelated organizations and businesses, including football clubs, construction companies, security companies, casinos, and animal hospitals. Those organizations are not part of the Ajax cleaning-products brand.

Who owns Ajax?

Ajax is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, according to Made O'Meter's ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. Colgate-Palmolive is headquartered in the United States and is a publicly listed company. Colgate-Palmolive's own materials list Ajax among its brands and state that the company sells products in more than 200 countries and territories. Colgate-Palmolive's portfolio includes products in oral care, personal care, home care, and pet nutrition. Ajax belongs to the company's cleaning and home-care portfolio. Ownership of the Ajax name varies by product category and market because Colgate-Palmolive has licensed some rights. In 2005, Colgate-Palmolive sold its North American heavy-duty laundry detergent brands to Phoenix Brands LLC and licensed the Ajax laundry-detergent brand in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The transaction was expected to generate a one-time after-tax gain of $60 million for Colgate-Palmolive. The Ajax laundry-care business later moved through other owners. Awesome Products Inc. acquired the Ajax laundry-care business from Radienz Living LLC on 13 September 2022, according to an announcement issued in November 2023. That laundry-care business had originally been introduced by Colgate-Palmolive in 1964. The laundry-care transaction does not change the ultimate ownership identified for the Ajax cleaning-products brand. Colgate-Palmolive continues to own and sell Ajax powdered cleanser and Ajax dishwashing liquid in North America. Ajax laundry detergent is a separate licensed or acquired product business in relevant markets.

Where does Ajax come from?

Ajax comes from the United States and was launched by Colgate-Palmolive in 1947. Colgate-Palmolive's history identifies the launch of Ajax cleanser as a major event in the company's development of global cleaning-products brands. Colgate-Palmolive introduced Ajax cleanser as a household and industrial cleaning product. The original slogan was “Stronger than dirt!” The slogan referred to Ajax, the mythical Greek hero. Ajax also has an early place in television advertising history. The first commercial television jingle in the United States was made for Ajax Cleanser in 1948. The name expanded across several cleaning categories during the 1960s and 1970s. Ajax All-Purpose Cleaner with ammonia was introduced in 1962 and became a major competitor to Procter & Gamble's Mr. Clean. Procter & Gamble introduced the ammoniated Top Job cleaner in 1963 after Ajax's success as the “White Tornado.” Colgate-Palmolive introduced Ajax Bucket of Power, an ammoniated powder floor cleaner, in 1963. Ajax Laundry Detergent followed in 1964. Colgate-Palmolive introduced Ajax Window Cleaner with Hexammonia in 1965. Ajax for Dishes debuted in 1971. The product is now called Ajax Dishwashing Liquid. Ajax laundry detergent later became available in liquid formulas, including versions with and without a bleach alternative, during the 1980s. Colgate-Palmolive's 2005 North American laundry transaction marked an important change in the product line's ownership history. Colgate-Palmolive licensed the American and Canadian Ajax laundry-detergent rights while retaining its broader Ajax cleaning-products portfolio.

What products does Ajax make?

Ajax makes powdered cleanser and dishwashing liquid under the Colgate-Palmolive brand in North America. Ajax has also been used for all-purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, window cleaner, laundry detergent, and antibacterial hand soap. Ajax powdered cleanser is the product most closely associated with the original 1947 launch. Its described ingredients include sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium carbonate, and quartz. Formulas can differ by product and market, so an ingredient list on the specific package is the appropriate source for current composition. Ajax All-Purpose Cleaner with ammonia was introduced in 1962. Ajax Bucket of Power was an ammoniated powder floor cleaner introduced in 1963. Ajax Window Cleaner with Hexammonia was introduced in 1965. Ajax laundry detergent was introduced in 1964. Liquid laundry formulas, including versions with and without a bleach alternative, were available during the 1980s. Colgate-Palmolive licensed the North American Ajax laundry-detergent brand in 2005. Awesome Products Inc. later acquired the Ajax laundry-care business from Radienz Living LLC in 2022. Ajax for Dishes debuted in 1971 and is now called Ajax Dishwashing Liquid. Colgate-Palmolive also introduced an Ajax Dishwashing Liquid and Antibacterial Hand Soap product in 1997. That product combined dishwashing liquid with an antibacterial hand-soap variant. Current products and product names vary by country. The Ajax official website is ajax.com.

Why did Ajax have a downfall?

Ajax did not disappear, but its greatest commercial success occurred during the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. The brand later became more focused on selected cleaning categories, while some product rights changed through licensing and acquisition. Ajax faced strong competition from other cleaning brands. Ajax All-Purpose Cleaner with ammonia competed with Procter & Gamble's Mr. Clean after its introduction in 1962. Procter & Gamble introduced ammoniated Top Job in 1963 after Ajax's success as the “White Tornado.” A major ownership change occurred in 2005, when Colgate-Palmolive sold its North American heavy-duty laundry detergent brands and licensed the Ajax laundry-detergent brand to Phoenix Brands LLC. The laundry-care business later passed to other companies, including Radienz Living LLC and Awesome Products Inc. Colgate-Palmolive continued selling Ajax powdered cleanser and Ajax dishwashing liquid in North America. The history therefore reflects a reduction or reorganization of some Ajax product categories rather than the end of Ajax as a cleaning brand.

How does Ajax compare with Comet?

Ajax and Comet are separate cleaning-product brands, not the same brand. Ajax is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, while the research information identifies Comet as a competing cleanser rather than an Ajax product. Both names are associated with powdered household cleansers, so the products can appear similar in use. Formula, abrasiveness, fragrance, disinfecting claims, and intended surfaces depend on the specific product. A direct comparison requires checking the labels of the particular Ajax and Comet products. Ajax's history includes sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium carbonate, and quartz in its described cleanser composition. The presence and concentration of ingredients can vary across formulas and markets.

What does the Ajax name refer to outside cleaning products?

The Ajax cleaning brand is unrelated to Ajax football club, Ajax construction companies, Ajax paving companies, Ajax security businesses, Ajax systems, Ajax alarms, Ajax Nissan, Ajax Casino, Ajax Downs, and Ajax animal hospitals. Ajax football club generally refers to AFC Ajax, the Amsterdam football club. Ajax is also the name of a figure in Greek mythology and appears in discussions of Homer's Odyssey. The cleaning product's original slogan referred to the mythical Greek hero Ajax. Ajax is a Scrabble word because it is a proper name used in ordinary English references, but whether a specific word is accepted depends on the edition and dictionary used for the game. The football, mythology, construction, security, automotive, gambling, and healthcare uses of Ajax do not establish ownership of Ajax cleaning products.

Is Ajax safe, antibacterial, or bleach?

Ajax products differ by formula, so safety, antibacterial status, and bleach content must be determined from the label for the specific product. Ajax is not one single chemical formula. Ajax dishwashing liquid is a dish soap product. Some Ajax dishwashing products have also been marketed with antibacterial hand-soap claims, but that does not mean every Ajax dishwashing liquid is antibacterial. Ajax is not automatically the same as bleach. Some Ajax laundry formulas were sold with a bleach alternative, while powdered cleansers and dishwashing liquids are separate products with different formulations. Ajax cleanser contains sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium carbonate, and quartz according to its encyclopedic description. Consumers should follow the package directions and avoid mixing cleaning products unless the label specifically permits it. Questions about use around dogs or cats depend on the exact product, concentration, exposure, and whether the surface has been rinsed. A product labeled for dishes is not automatically safe for an animal to ingest. Veterinary advice is appropriate after suspected ingestion or exposure.

Frequently asked questions about Ajax

Who owns Ajax cleaner?: Ajax cleaner is ultimately owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. Colgate-Palmolive continues to sell Ajax powdered cleanser and Ajax dishwashing liquid in North America.
Is Ajax dish soap?: Yes. Ajax for Dishes debuted in 1971 and is now called Ajax Dishwashing Liquid. Ajax also includes other cleaning products, so the name does not refer only to dish soap.
Is Ajax a good dish soap?: Ajax dishwashing liquid is a household dishwashing product, but whether it suits a particular shopper depends on the specific formula, cleaning needs, fragrance, and label instructions. Product performance can vary across markets and versions.
Is Ajax dish soap antibacterial?: Some Ajax dishwashing products have been marketed with an antibacterial hand-soap variant, including a product introduced by Colgate-Palmolive in 1997. Not every Ajax dishwashing liquid should be assumed to have antibacterial properties.
Is Ajax dish soap safe for dogs or cats?: Ajax dish soap should be used around dogs or cats only as directed on the product label, and animals should not ingest it. The safety assessment depends on the exact formula and exposure, so suspected ingestion or significant contact should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Is Ajax or Comet better?: Ajax and Comet are separate cleanser brands, and neither is universally better. The appropriate choice depends on the specific formula, surface, ingredients, and directions for use.
Is Ajax bleach?: Ajax is not one single bleach product. Ajax includes powdered cleansers, dishwashing liquids, and laundry detergents, and some laundry formulas were offered with a bleach alternative.
Why is Ajax associated with the Odyssey?: Ajax is a figure from Greek mythology associated with the Homeric epics, including the Odyssey. The Ajax cleaning product used the mythological name and referred to the Greek hero in its original “Stronger than dirt!” slogan.