Carbona · Fabric Protectant Sprays
Carbona Stain Devils Fat & Cooking Oil Stain Remover
Liquid solvent. No known PFAS, but brand discloses nothing.
This hydrocarbon-based liquid solvent carries no disclosed PFAS. Standard chemical cleaners avoid PFAS, though Carbona won't confirm formulation details.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Liquid organic solvent blend, likely hydrocarbon-based
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Hydrocarbon solvent vapor inhalation
Petroleum distillate vapors can cause dizziness, headache, and respiratory irritation with prolonged or unventilated exposure. Risk is low in typical single-use household application but increases with frequent use or poor air circulation; no acute toxicity is established at recommended doses.
Dermal sensitization and irritation
Direct skin contact with hydrocarbon solvents may cause mild to moderate irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Product label typically advises avoiding skin contact; risk is manageable with gloves and hand washing.
Flammability
Carbona Stain Devils are classified as flammable liquids due to hydrocarbon composition. Keep away from open flame, sparks, and hot surfaces; store away from ignition sources. This is a known property disclosed on the product label and safety data sheet.
Aquatic toxicity and environmental persistence
Mineral spirit hydrocarbons are slow to biodegrade and can accumulate in aquatic environments if disposed improperly. Disposal should follow local hazardous waste guidelines; avoid pouring down drains or into soil.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Optical brightener or other additives
Carbona's ingredient disclosure is limited; formulation may include trace optical brighteners, dyes, or stabilizers not listed on the front label. No documented safety concerns are on record, but full chemical transparency is not provided by the brand.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Carbona Stain Devils are hydrocarbon-based organic solvent blends formulated to dissolve lipid and oil residues without water. The active ingredients are typically aliphatic hydrocarbons (mineral spirits or similar petroleum distillates) chosen for solubility and low toxicity compared to chlorinated solvents. This chemistry avoids the halogenated compounds of older degreasers, reducing acute neurotoxicity risk, but requires attention to vapor inhalation and skin contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carbona (owned by Prestige Consumer Healthcare) has operated since the 1930s with a legacy in laundry and stain care. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions are on record for this specific product line. The brand provides basic safety data sheets and labels warnings for flammability and inhalation, but does not publish third-party certifications, environmental testing, or detailed PFAS statements; disclosure is minimal but not unusual for this product class.
How it compares in its category
Liquid hydrocarbon-based spot cleaners like Carbona are mid-range in hazard profile: safer than halogenated or aromatic solvent alternatives (which carry higher neurotoxicity and volatility) but require more care than enzyme-based or oxygen-based stain removers. This product is cost-effective and widely available; performance and safety are typical for the petroleum distillate category, with no distinctive advantage or disadvantage versus competitors like Zout or Fels-Naptha.
If you buy it
Always use in a well-ventilated space or outdoors to minimize inhalation of vapors; do not apply near heat or flames due to flammability. Test on hidden fabric first to check for dye bleeding or material damage. Apply sparingly, allow to soak for 5-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Keep away from children and pets, store in a cool, dry place, and replace if the seal is compromised or the product separates.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Carbona has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Fabric Protectant Sprays
Seventh Generation
Natural Laundry Stain Remover
water-based surfactant formula
Enzyme sensitization or respiratory irritation
Limited concern
Surfactant skin irritation (concentrated form)
Moderate concern
Fragrance allergen content
Limited concern
Lower concern. Third-party certified PFAS-free formulation.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Laundry Stain Remover, Fragrance-Free, 16 oz Spray Bottle, 8/Carton
Aqueous cleaning concentrate, spray bottle dispenser
Surfactant skin irritation (contact dermatitis)
Limited concern
Enzyme allergenicity (if formula contains enzymes)
Limited concern
Inhalation of spray aerosol
Limited concern
Accidental ingestion by children/pets
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Third-party certified formula with PFAS-free designation.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More fabric protectant sprays 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.