Gain laundry soaps or detergents

6 reports to CPSC, the latest made Apr 8, 2024. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

6reports to CPSC
Apr 8, 2024the latest report was made
Aug 8, 2016the earliest
6with the company’s comments

Brand: Gain
Maker: The Procter & Gamble CompanyMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product: Laundry soaps or detergentsCPSC’s product type: Laundry Soaps or Detergents (code 949), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Household Chemicals, Paint, & Cleaning Products

By month

1 report from May 2023 to April 2024; the most in April 2024, 1. 5 earlier reports, since August 2016, are in the table.

The numbers, as a table

Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
Month	Reports
April 2024	1
September 2021	1
May 2019	1
March 2018	1
February 2018	1
August 2016	1

How badly anyone was hurt

Death 1
Emergency room 2 CPSC: Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received
First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
Hurt, no treatment 1 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
No one hurt 1 CPSC: Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

First aid
Made Apr 8, 2024, sent to the company Apr 11, 2024, published by CPSC May 2, 2024

The product, in the report: Washing powder pods

I broke out into a bad rash, and hives

Where
Houston, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 46, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
No Relationship
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional

The company’s comments, in its own words

(4/18/2024) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for reaching out to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding Gain Flings. We’re so sorry to hear about your experience and appreciate your reaching out to the CPSC to ensure this was brought to our attention. As a company, we’re dedicated to making products that improve the lives of our consumers who use them, so it is important that we know. We understand some consumers may have unique personal sensitives to ingredients used in everyday products, so we do offer a variety of products with the hope of meeting the needs of more consumers. Please be assured these comments have been shared with the appropriate people in our company, including our Health & Safety Team.
We also want to share that we thoroughly evaluate our products for safety when used as directed. As part of standard practice, we regularly monitor our products, as well as our consumer comments about them and we maintain an ongoing monitoring program for quality and safety. For complete ingredient information please visit www.smartlabel.org As such, we take your report very seriously and ask that you save any remaining unused product in case we need more information.
Again, we are very sorry for your experience and appreciate you reaching out to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We would also encourage you to contact us directly, we can learn more about your experience. We can be reached at:(800) 888-4246 9:00AM - 6:00PM EST Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM EST Saturday. You can also reach us via https://ilovegain.com/en-us
CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

CPSC report 20240408-370E5-2147339881. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Emergency room
Made Sep 16, 2021, sent to the company Oct 5, 2021, published by CPSC Oct 20, 2021

The product, in the report: Detergent crystals Gain Fireworks in- wash scent booster Private labeler: Procter Gamble Cincinnati, OH Imported for Proctor & Gamble Inc. Toronto, ON M%W10 Retailer state: MD

Caller stated that he used crystals to wash his laundry after he wore his clothing he broke out in hives. He had to visit the Veteran’s Administration hospital in MA. He stated that while reporting the incident he is currently waiting in the ER for treatment. He stated that he contacted the company and they advised him that they would send him a rebate of $7. However, he informed them that he is not interested in the money but he is concerned about the safety of the product.
Caller feels that this detergent crystal is a health hazard and should be taken off the market.

Serial number
12014675102329
Bought
Sep 7, 2021
Where
Needham, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 72, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(10/12/2021) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for bringing your experience when using Gain Fireworks to our attention; we’re sorry to hear of this and appreciate you contacting us directly. Please know nothing is more important to us than the safety of our consumers, and we take reports of this nature seriously. It is important to share that Gain products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. We carefully evaluate the safety of our products and ingredients before they go to market, using well-established safety assessment methods. These evaluations are a mandatory part of our product development process and begin during the early stages of a product’s design. In addition, we maintain an ongoing monitoring program for quality and safety because the safe use of our products is always our highest priority. We understand some consumers may have unique sensitivities to ingredients used in everyday products. Identifying the reasons for your sensitivity to a consumer product ingredient can be difficult, so if needed, we suggest working with a medical professional regarding any medical concerns. In the meantime, we want to share that our formulations take into account our stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient. For consumers interested in the ingredients used in our products, we provide ingredient lists for many of our household products - including Gain -- that can be accessed at https://ilovegain.com/en-us/contact-us or https://www.smartlabel.org/ Truly, the safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do. Again, we appreciate you reaching out and hope all is now well. If you have additional questions or concerns please contact us by phone toll-free at 1-800-888-4246, between 9am and 6pm EST. I hope this information is helpful and we wish you the best.

CPSC report 20210916-3351C-3442076. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Hurt, no treatment
Made May 2, 2019, sent to the company May 9, 2019, published by CPSC May 30, 2019

The product, in the report: Gain Laundry product

I wrote to Proctor and Gamble/Gain via e-mail to discuss their recent advertising, wherein a home owner who uses Gain, opens the door to a delivery person who nearly vomits from the smell. The home owner in the ad could care less that this product/smell is making the delivery person ill. Gain’s response was that they would pass on my complaint to “the appropriate people”. My issue with this product is that when some of my neighbors who use Gain do their laundry, the smell permeates the entire neighborhood. This product, among other laundry products, come out of dryer vents, transfer from a person’s clothes to seating in public places and then onto others, and pollutes the air, whether from a person’s clothing or during use of the product. This causes my throat and sinuses to swell up (anaphylaxis) and pain to my body, as well as other ill health effects to others to include seizures and migraines for some. This medical condition is called MCS/EI (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illness). The complete disregard and brush off I received from Gain/Proctor and Gamble is at best inappropriate. They are promoting ill health to approximately 34% of the population. MCS is recognized as a disability and they are making fun of the disabled population. This product also does not easily wash out of clothing or hair, once transferred to others. We have no choice in the quality of the air we are breathing once this product is used. Please look into the toxicity of this product and Proctor and Gamble’s disregard for the disabled. Thank you!

Where
Wappingers Falls, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 56, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(5/21/2019) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for bringing this report about Gain laundry products to our attention. We’re sorry to hear of the consumer’s experience. Please know nothing is more important to us than the safety of our consumers, and we take reports of this nature seriously. It is important to share that Gain products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. We carefully evaluate the safety of our products and ingredients before they go to market, using well-established safety assessment methods. These evaluations are a mandatory part of our product development process and begin during the early stages of a product’s design. In addition, we maintain an ongoing monitoring program for quality and safety because the safe use of our products is always our highest priority. Knowing about this consumer’s experience and her disappointment in our advertisement is important to us. We understand some consumers may have unique sensitivities to ingredients used in everyday products. Identifying the reasons for sensitivity to a consumer product ingredient can be difficult, so we suggest consumers work with a medical professional regarding any medical concerns. In the meantime, we want to share that our formulations take into account our stringent internal safety standards for every ingredient. For consumers interested in the ingredients used in our products, we provide ingredient lists for many of our household products - including Gain -- that can be accessed at https://ilovegain.com/en-us/contact-us. The safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do. We would appreciate the opportunity to engage further with the consumer through our Consumer Relations channels by phone toll-free at 1-800-888-4246, between 9am and 6pm EST. Communicating with the consumer directly via phone will allow us to better understand the experience while using our products. Thanks again for bringing this matter to our attention.

CPSC report 20190502-3F33B-2147381265. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Mar 21, 2018, sent to the company Jul 13, 2018, published by CPSC Jul 27, 2018

The product, in the report: 100 fl. oz. laundry detergent

The submitter noticed a strong chemical odor after the first wash using the detergent. She noticed the odor in the clothing and washer. She cleaned the washer thoroughly but the odor didn’t go away.
After a few days the submitter bought another washer and it was delivered yesterday. The submitter said after she began using the detergent she noticed the odor again. The submitter believes the detergent poses a health risk and should be examined.
The submitter said she has the odor in her nose and mouth. She believes the detergent may have caused her to get a UTI and she plans to visit a physician next week to conduct a urinary test. Her husband indicated that his skin has been feeling itchy and she is not sure if its from the detergent.
The submitter said this was the first time she purchased the detergent.
She plans to contact the firm and report her concerns.

Model
Original Aroma Boost
UPC
3700012786
Serial number
Unknown
Bought
Feb 15, 2018, about then
Where
Stillwater, Minnesota: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(7/19/2018) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for bringing this report involving Liquid Gain laundry detergent to our attention. We’re sorry to hear of the your experience, and we take your report very seriously. Our Gain products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. We carefully evaluate the safety of our products and ingredients before they go to market, using well-established safety assessment methods. These evaluations are a mandatory part of our product development process and begin during the early stages of a product’s design. In addition, we maintain an ongoing monitoring program for quality and safety because the safe use of our products is always our highest priority. We understand some consumers may have unique sensitivities to some of the ingredients used in every day products, including fragrance. Identifying the reasons for a sensitivity to a consumer product ingredient can be difficult, and we suggest consumers work with a medical professional regarding any medical concerns. The safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do, and we regret any discomfort you may have experienced. We have appreciated the opportunity to engage with you via Gain’s toll-free number to address your concerns, and we shared your report internally. We encourage you to get in touch directly with Gain again if you still have questions or concerns about this matter. And for additional information about the ingredients used in our products, you or any other person can find ingredient lists at www.smartlabel.org
Thanks again for bringing this report to our attention.

CPSC report 20180321-B4E52-1745370. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Emergency room
Made Feb 2, 2018, sent to the company Jun 4, 2018, published by CPSC Jun 18, 2018

The product, in the report: 54 pod package Gain Flings – 4 in 1/Wildflower and Waterfall

This consumer is reporting GAIN purple and white detergent pods that she purchased from the commissary at Andrews Air Force Base around January 15th, 2018 but she did not begin use the detergent pods until January 24, 2018. She placed the pods in the water, washed her clothing, dried, folded and placed in storage areas closets. By Saturday early morning, January 27, 2018 her breasts were swollen, red and severely broken out and sore. She went to Urgent Care/Kaiser Permanente at 6104 Old Branch Avenue in Camp Springs, MD, she was there from 9PM until 12AM. She was examined by Dr. [REDACTED] who diagnosed ‘Chemical Burns and released her with Bacitracin,.. The caller emailed her PCP who also prescribed [REDACTED] for pain. She is reporting that she uses liquid Gain often and has used the pods in the past with no repercussions so she is thinking something has changed either with the plastic pod or the detergent within it. She did contact the manufacturer January 31, 2018 and told them that she had 2nd and 3rd degree burns but they offered only to reimburse her for the product. She is asking that CPSC investigate these pods. ID info found 97526677 Proctor & Gamble number 90643060 54 pod package Gain Flings – 4 in 1 Wildflower & Waterfall

Model
97526677
Serial number
90643060
Bought from
AFB Commissary, Maryland
Bought
Jan 15, 2018
Where
Suitland, Maryland: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/11/2018) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for reaching out regarding Gain Flings. We’re sorry to hear about the consumer’s experience, and we’ve taken the report very seriously.
Please know that our Gain products are formulated with great care and attention to safety. We carefully evaluate the safety of our products and their ingredients before they go to market, using well-established risk assessment methods. These risk evaluations are a mandatory part of our product development process and begin during the early stages of a product’s design. In addition, we maintain an ongoing monitoring program for quality and safety because the safe use of our products is always our highest priority. While laundry detergent pacs are safely used by millions of people every day, it’s important to know that laundry detergent pacs can be twice as concentrated as other forms of liquid detergent.
The safety of the people who use our products is at the foundation of everything we do, and we regret any discomfort the consumer experienced. Please know we shared the report internally, and we’ve appreciated the opportunity to address the consumer’s concerns directly when she contacted us over the past several months. We’ll recontact the consumer again since we did not receive any medical bills to review for consideration of reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Thanks again for bringing this amended report to our attention.

CPSC report 20180202-B8C00-1731479. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Death
Made Aug 8, 2016, sent to the company Aug 24, 2016, published by CPSC Sep 8, 2016

The product, in the report: Gain Flings, laundry detergent pod, pink and white

The decedent is an 87-year-old White female with a medical history of dementia, colon and breast cancer, who was found unresponsive at a private residence where there was evidence found that the decedent may have consumed laundry detergent. The decedent was transported to the hospital and eventually pronounced. Her cause of death was determined to be: INGESTION OF LAUNDRY DETERGENT and the manner of death was ruled: ACCIDENT. Scene investigation revealed that the decedent appeared to have eaten 2 (two) Gain Flings laundry detergent pods.The family claimed the decedent would mistake things for candy a lot and on one occasion was trying to eat a toy car wheel that she possibly mistook for an [REDACTED] cookie. The family said the Gain Flings smell fruity or flowery due to them containing Fabreeze and that the pink and white swirl packaging does look similar to old styles of candy the decedent may have eaten when she was younger.

Where
Alvarado, Texas: Mobile/Manufactured Home
Who was involved
Age 87, Female
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Gain, made or sold by The Procter & Gamble Company

The company’s comments, in its own words

(9/7/2016) The Procter & Gamble Company: Thank you for notifying us of this incident. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and understand how upsetting it must have been for the family. P&G is committed to safety and is working diligently to help reduce unintended exposures.
If the Company receives any additional information, we will share it with the CPSC.
Thank you again for bringing this report to our attention.

CPSC report 20160808-8A89D-2147415270. Submitter: Medical Examiner and Coroner Search for it on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Gain laundry soaps or detergents

At a glance

By month

How badly anyone was hurt

The reports, as CPSC published them

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources

How to read a record

Every fact names its source.

A number never stands alone.

What needs attention is marked.

The public record comes first.