January 7, 2026 – A consumer using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Removers 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Paks experienced a severe eye injury when one of the paks reportedly burst, causing a chemical burn to their retina that necessitated surgery. The incident highlights potential risks associated with the handling of concentrated laundry detergent paks.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On September 28, 2024, a consumer reported an incident involving an Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Removers 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pak. The consumer stated that while attempting to retrieve one of the paks from its packaging, the pak unexpectedly popped open. The liquid contents from the ruptured pak immediately splashed into the consumer’s right eye.
Upon contact, the consumer’s right eye closed shut, and the eyelid became stuck. Following the incident, the consumer required medical intervention, ultimately undergoing surgery due to a chemical burn on their retina, indicating a severe and lasting injury from the chemical exposure. The specific retailer where the product was purchased is unknown.
Safety Concerns
The incident involving the Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Removers 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pak raises significant safety concerns due to the caustic nature of concentrated laundry detergents.
- Immediate Dangers: Direct contact with concentrated laundry detergent can cause immediate and severe chemical burns to sensitive tissues like the eyes. Symptoms can include intense pain, stinging, redness, swelling, blurred vision, and tearing. The consumer’s experience of their eye closing immediately and the eyelid becoming stuck underscores the aggressive nature of the chemical.
- Long-Term Risks: As evidenced by this incident, chemical burns to the retina can lead to permanent vision impairment, chronic discomfort, light sensitivity, and, in severe cases, irreversible vision loss requiring surgical intervention. There is also a risk of scarring, glaucoma, or cataracts developing over time.
- Who Might Be Affected: While this incident involved an adult, the unpredictable bursting of a pak poses a risk to anyone handling the product. Children are particularly vulnerable, as they might be attracted to the colorful paks, mistaking them for candy or toys, leading to accidental ingestion or eye exposure with potentially catastrophic results. Elderly individuals or those with impaired dexterity might also be at higher risk during handling.
- Property Damage Potential: Although the primary concern here is personal injury, spills of concentrated detergent can also cause damage to clothing, carpets, and other household surfaces if not cleaned up promptly and properly, due to their corrosive and staining properties.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who use or encounter Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Removers 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Paks, or similar concentrated laundry products, should take the following precautions:
- Immediate Steps in Case of Exposure: If laundry detergent liquid comes into contact with your eyes or skin, immediately flush the affected area with large amounts of clean, running water for at least 15-20 minutes. Do not rub the affected eye. Seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services or visiting the nearest emergency room, even if symptoms seem mild at first. Bring the product packaging with you if possible.
- How to Check for the Affected Product: Consumers should verify if they are using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Stain Removers 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent in pak form. The incident highlights a potential issue with the structural integrity of the paks.
- Prevention Measures:
* Always handle laundry paks with dry hands to prevent premature dissolution or rupture.
* Avoid squeezing or puncturing the paks.
* Store all laundry paks in their original, child-resistant containers, securely closed, and out of reach and sight of children and pets.
* Never transfer paks to other containers that could be mistaken for food or drink.
* Wash hands thoroughly after handling laundry paks.
* Follow all package instructions carefully.
- Reporting Procedures: If you or someone you know experiences a similar incident or injury involving this or any other consumer product, please report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov and directly to the manufacturer.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the incident report date, the manufacturer, CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC., has not provided a response regarding this specific incident.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.