Latest and greatest

Our history of innovation

View our timeline of events below

2009 Strepsils Cool

Delivers an instantly cooling sensation, for fast effective relief from a burning throat

2009 Clearasil

The Clearasil Pimple Blocker Pen helps stop a spot in its tracks.

2008 Vanish Oxi Action Intelligence Plus Gel

A new generation premium in-wash gel stain remover that removes even the toughest stains from clothes

2008 Veet

Veet Spray hair removal cream with added moisturiser is an easy no-touch application and gives great results. The Veet brand originated in 1922 and came into RB possession via Reckitt & Colman's acquisition of Dae Health Labs in 1969.

2008 Harpic

This cageless rim-block gives superior cleaning and fragrance for 4 weeks.

2008 Dettol 4in1

This multi-purpose cleaner delivers visible shine and best ever cleaning performance against germs, grease and soap scum.

2008 Vanish Oxi Action Magnets

These in-wash sachets remove stains and trap grime and colour runs. Vanish Stain Remover Bar was first launched in 1972 by Ecololab, which was acquired by Benckiser in July 1987.

2007 Air Wick Freshmatic

Air Wick Freshmatic didn’t just give consumers regular bursts of fragrance, keeping their home constantly fresh – it created a completely new Aircare segment

2006 Finish Quantum

The revolutionary Finish Quantum dishwashing tab gave consumers superior cleaning technology in a dissoluble wrapper-free shell

2005 Cillit Bang

This powerful new surface cleaner was launched in 68 countries in just one year. Bang!

2001 Finish

The new 3in1 Powerball dishwashing tablet combined detergent, rinse agent and salt in a single tab.

2000 Mortein

Mortein Xtra power coils were launched, giving a full 10-hour protection from mosquitoes.

1983 Nurofen

Nurofen was the first OTC (over the counter) product to use ibuprofen as the active ingredient and the first new OTC analgesic since paracetamol in 1950s.

1972 Vanish

Ecolab launched Vanish Stain Remover Bar.

1965 Gaviscon

This was discovered by a Swedish doctor researching X-ray contrast medium. He found that Gaviscon forms a raft over gastric contents, tackling the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion

1956 Calgon

Patented industrial chemicals technology crossed over into home use when Benckiser created Calgon, a household water softener for the washing machine.

1950s Finish

This dishwashing brand first launched in the 1950s. Benckiser acquired it in 1987 to complement its Calgonit automatic dishwasher range.

1943 Air Wick

Launched in USA, the unique chlorophyll-based ‘wick in the green bottle’ liquid air freshener was invented by Guy Paschal.

1933 Dettol

Originally intended as a disinfectant product, research soon recognised Dettol’s strong antiseptic qualities and it became a major force in the reduction of childbirth mortalities

1899 Lysol

A chemical disinfectant composition imported into the USA from Germany by two American wholesalers, Louis Lehn and Frederick Fink, in 1874. In 1899, they renamed it Lysol and turned it into the world's first safe and uniform antiseptic.

1880 Mortein

A fly killer originally produced in Australia by a German settler, J Hagemann, who used powdered pyrethrum extracted from crushed chrysanthemum flowers. New formulations eventually allowed the product to be put into liquid, aerosol and pump spray formats