GOJO was founded in 1946 by Goldie and Jerry Lippman, whose GOJO Hand Cleaner helped rubber factory workers safely and effectively remove carbon black and grease. From the invention of PURELL Instant Hand Sanitizer to the world's first touch-free soap dispenser, for nearly 80 years GOJO has continued to use science-based innovation to keep people healthy and well.

Its scale and reach expanded in 2026, when the enterprise joined The Clorox Company and became Clorox Purell. Clorox Purell is headquartered in Akron, Ohio and manufactures products in Northeast Ohio.