About Cleenol
A Legacy of Excellence in Cleaning and Hygiene Manufacturing.
Welcome to Cleenol, where history meets innovation, and family values drive our commitment to excellence. With over 300 years of legacy as a family-run business, Cleenol has been an institution in cleaning and hygiene manufacturing for the past 75 years.
The Lab
A future-facing business built on family values
Cleenol is a business built on trust, respect, and long-standing relationships. Our values have been shaped over generations, guiding how we work with each other and with those we serve. This approach means we care deeply about reliability, fairness, and doing the right thing—not just for our own reputation, but for yours too.
We are proud to give back to the local community, demonstrating the businesses can be a force for good. Through fundraising initiatives, collaborative partnerships and donations
Quality Cleaning Products Since 1948
1700s
Cleenol is an independent, family owned and run company which can trace its roots back to the timber trade of the early 1700's
1940s
Established in 1948, Cleenol Group Ltd was launched to supply washing up liquid and other innovative cleaning products.
1970s - 1980s
After building on our national distribution network to the whole of the UK, Cleenol began to export to overseas markets in the 1970's and onwards
1990s
Cleenol launched its first sustainability-focused product range 'Envirological' in the 1990s, changing how we view the impact on the environment across our entire line.
2000s and onwards
Cleenol now exports to 40+ countries worldwide, supplying a hugh variety of markets
Quality Cleaning Products Since 1948
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1850s – 1950s
The Foster family trading as T Foster & Sons are coal merchants based in Birmingham. Shell becomes one of its biggest customers.
1948
Shell develop the first liquid detergent and call it Teepol. Neville Foster recognises its potential with its industrial customers and takes on a distributorship. He leaves the coal business to his twin brother and founds Cleenol, with the company name derived from the product that started it all.
1950s
Cleenol expanded its product development employing its first Technical Chemist and laboratory, while incorporating Puragene and Crystalbrite. David Foster took over the business from his father, Neville.
1960s
As Cleenol outgrew its Birmingham premises, the company moved to a new factory in Leamington Spa. A pioneering health and hygiene campaign helped Cleenol secure national contracts and take on its first delivery fleet.
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1970s
Continued growth led the company to purchase land in Banbury, and build the manufacturing facility where Cleenol remains today. The company introduced service engineers, developed hygiene awareness training and launched Hyperclean, one of the industry's first concentrated chemical ranges, reinforcing its focus on the need for high standards of cleanliness and promoting the environmental benefits of concentrates.
1980s
Cleenol continued to grow through a combination of quality products, service and customer support, while expanding its manufacturing capabilities and export reach. A second warehouse was opened in Banbury to support the company's growth.
1990s
Cleenol launched its first sustainability-focused range, Envirological, alongside continued investment in customer training and support. The company achieved ISO 9001 certification, began supporting the development of Katharine House Hospice. Richard Greaves took over from David Foster as Managing Director.
2000s
Cleenol expanded its portfolio with the launch of the X2 Concentrate System and acquired British Nova and Staples. Combat was also introduced, providing specialist cleaning and hygiene solutions for the food industry.
2010s
Cleenol achieved ISO 14001 certification in recognition of its environmental management and continued to expand its facilities. International growth accelerated, with exports reaching more than 40+ countries worldwide and accounting for over 15% of turnover by the end of the decade.
2020s
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cleenol played a vital role supplying hand sanitiser to the NHS and essential healthcare facilities, while Sam Greaves took over from his father, Richard Greaves as Managing Director. Cleenol achieved B Corp certification, launched its EU Ecolabel range, gained ISO 45001 certification and continues to invest in more sustainable operations, its community and the future of the business.
Enviroment
Cleenol’s B Corp Journey
Cleenol have been a proud B Corporation since successfully certifying in April 2024. The B-Corp movement champions using businesses as a force for good by putting people and the planet before profits which aligns perfectly with Cleenol’s people first values.
Being a B Corp has channelled us to think differently about the way we operate; being more transparent with all areas of the business and making informed decisions.
Our mission is to create a cleaner, safer world and becoming B Corp certified has allowed us to become that step closer to achieving it.
Pioneering Innovation for a Cleaner Future
Innovation is in our DNA. For three-quarters of a century, Cleenol has been at the forefront of the Cleaning and hygiene manufacturing, introducing concentrated products two decades ahead of the mass market. Our highly skilled technical team and in-house lab are dedicated to not only innovating Cleenol's product line but also crafting bespoke cleaning chemicals as private labels to meet your unique needs.
Efficiency and Global Reach
Operating with a production capacity of 60 million liters per year (and growing), Cleenol ensures efficient logistics with national and international partnerships. Whether you need a 50ml bottle or a 1000-liter IBC, we deliver quality products to your doorstep, anywhere in the world.
Comprehensive Service Beyond Products
At Cleenol, we go beyond supplying cleaning products. Our dedicated service team installs products and provides COSHH training through in-house engineers. This ensures that our products are not only used correctly but also with maximum efficiency, minimizing waste and maximizing effectiveness.
Our Values
We manufacture, warehouse and distribute high-quality products through an efficient and personal service.
Our focus is on improved product performance, increased safety and environmental credentials and enhanced customer benefit.
Our Product Portfolio
We have an extensive manufactured chemical product portfolio, making Cleenol a single source for even the most demanding of cleaning requirements.
Each product in Cleenol’s general or bespoke range of cleaning solutions is formulated to provide the highest standards in domestic, commercial and industrial hygiene technology. Our products are formulated to industrial strength for the professional market.
Our Services
We can help you manufacture hygiene and cleaning products with your own custom labels.
Find out more about our White Label Manufacturing and Innovation Services here
Cleenol employs its own service support team to give dispenser installation and training services.
Find out more about our Training and Service Support Services
Frequently asked questions
Export & Distributors
Cleenol has over 40 years of export experience. We work on an Ex Works basis with all our export customers, which allows you to choose the best option for you. We have a number of experienced shippers based out of the UK who have vast knowledge of shipping all types of products globally.
We have a dedicated in-house export administrative team who will manage all the shipping documents with your chosen shippers, as well as provide all the information for the importing of Cleenol products. We can arrange shipping by container or groupage to any international market, and we are actively looking for distributors in countries where we do not yet have representation.
For further details please contact sales@cleenol.co.uk.
Our Legacy of Family Values
Cleenol, a private family-owned company tracing its roots to the 1700s, originated as a timber business in the West Midlands. Evolving with the times, it ventured into canal-related industries, from supplying timber to becoming boat builders and coal merchants during the canal's heyday.
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During World War II, Cleenol's chemical journey began when the Foster family, then operating in Birmingham, supplied coal to the Shell Chemical Company. In response to wartime soap shortages, Shell developed Teepol, the first washing up liquid. The success of Teepol led to the birth of Cleenol, as Mr. Neville Foster pioneered its production and expansion.
From Birmingham to Leamington Spa and later Banbury, Cleenol's market presence expanded nationally by 1975 and internationally in the 1980s. By 2000, Cleenol's products reached over 40 countries, a testament to its global recognition for quality.
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