About Zoflora

The Zoflora story started back in 1922 when business partners Nathan Thornton and Philip Ross founded Thornton and Ross. Huddersfield born Nathan worked at a tar distillery and ammonia works. It was their range of coal tar by-products, like disinfectants and soaps, that sparked his passion for what would become the Zoflora products we know today.

In the early 1920s, Carbolic Acid was used to clean public spaces such as dance halls and cinemas. However, it left a horrible odour. Mr Thornton spotted a gap in the market and used his specialist knowledge to start developing Zoflora – a beautifully fragranced disinfectant that had twice the germ-killing power of Carbolic Acid, and used perfume oils extracted from real flowers.

Over the last century, Zoflora has become a much-loved household brand, and is found in the cupboards of over 5 million UK homes. With over 30 perfumer-crafted fragrances to choose from across 3 different formats, there’s a Zoflora fragrance to uplift every room and every mood.

Zoflora was Nathan Thornton's great creation and he was eager to spread the word about its revolutionary benefits. So he took it on tour. The product was originally developed for the elimination of smoke and other odours in public places and for killing germs in factories, cinemas, dance and concert halls. Mr Thornton visited these places with a large brass pressure sprayer filled with Zoflora, which he used to demonstrate the product to amazed onlookers. People were so impressed by Zoflora's wonderful aromas that they wanted to use it in their own homes too.