Bottle Guide

Bottle collecting has become an increasingly popular hobby among antique lovers in the United States.

But bottle buff interest isn't confined to historical flasks and ornate decanters; it also includes many types of modern bottles, reproductions, and “collectibles”—bottles not old enough to qualify as antiques—such as the early Clorox liquid bleach bottles.

The trend toward “collectible” bottle gathering is growing. These bottles are more plentiful and considerably less expensive to purchase than their older counterparts, making it possible to possess an interesting bottle collection without substantial investment.

Because people frequently write The Clorox Company asking the vintage of old Clorox liquid bleach bottles they’ve acquired, this online guide has been prepared to help collectors determine the approximate age of different Clorox bottles used over the years.

Screw-top Bottles

Beginning in 1940 The Clorox Company began making Clorox bottles with threaded necks for screw tops, replacing the rubber stopper cork tops of the earlier bottles.

Until 1951, the lettering on Clorox bottles continued to be raised and solid. Beginning in 1951 the lettering on Clorox bottles changes to outline.

Solid letters, used through 1950

1940-1942 Content identification moves to side. Threaded neck appears. Pint and quart size mouths measure 2-7/16" around.	pint	quart	half gallon
1943-1944 Pint and quart size mouths increase to 2-12/16" around.	pint	quart	half gallon
1945 Grained texture added on shoulder and heel. Introduction or gallon size with finger ring handle.	pint	quart	half gallon	gallon

1940-1942

Content identification moves to side. Threaded neck appears. Pint and quart size mouths measure 2-7/16" around.

1943-1944

Pint and quart size mouths increase to 2-12/16" around.

1945

Grained texture added on shoulder and heel. Introduction or gallon size with finger ring handle.

Outline letters, used 1951 to 1962

1951-1954 Solid lettering replaced by outline lettering. Grained texture extends down label panel.	pint	quart	half gallon	gallon
1955-1959 Side content identification replaced by raised fill line. Two-finger handle appears on gallon and half-gallon.	pint	quart	half gallon	gallon
1958-1959 Grained texture on shoulder and heel only. Neck style changes.	pint	quart
1959-1962 More streamlined bulb shaped neck area on pint and quart. Four finger handle on gallon and half-gallon.	pint	quart	half gallon	gallon

1940-1942 Pint Bottle

Content identification moves to side. Threaded neck appears. Pint and quart size mouths measure 2-7/16" around.

1940-1942 Quart Bottle

Content identification moves to side. Threaded neck appears. Pint and quart size mouths measure 2-7/16" around.

1940-1942 Half Gallon Bottle

Content identification moves to side. Threaded neck appears.

1943-1944 Pint Bottle

Pint and quart size mouths increase to 2—12/16" around.

1943-1944 Quart Bottle

Pint and quart size mouths increase to 2—12/16" around.

1943-1944 Half Gallon Bottle

1945-1950 Pint Bottle

Grained texture added on shoulder and heel.

1945-1950 Quart Bottle

Grained texture added on shoulder and heel.

1945-1950 Half Gallon Bottle

Grained texture added on shoulder and heel.

1945-1950 Gallon Bottle

Introduction of gallon size with finger ring handle.

1951-1954 Pint Bottle

Solid lettering replaced by outline lettering. Grained texture extends down label panel.

1951-1954 Quart Bottle

Solid lettering replaced by outline lettering. Grained texture extends down label panel.

1951-1954 Half Gallon Bottle

Solid lettering replaced by outline lettering. Grained texture extends down label panel.

1951-1954 Gallon Bottle

Solid lettering replaced by outline lettering. Grained texture extends down label panel.

1955-1959 Pint Bottle

Side content identification replaced by raised fill line.

1955-1959 Quart Bottle

Side content identification replaced by raised fill line.

1955-1959 Half Gallon Bottle

Side content identification replaced by raised fill line. Two-finger handle appears on gallon and half-gallon.

1955-1959 Gallon Bottle

Side content identification replaced by raised fill line. Two-finger handle appears on gallon and half-gallon.

1958-1959 Pint Bottle

Grained texture on shoulder and heel only. Neck style changes.

1958-1959 Quart Bottle

Grained texture on shoulder and heel only. Neck style changes.

1959-1962 Pint Bottle

More streamlined bulb shaped neck area on pint and quart.

1959-1962 Quart Bottle

More streamlined bulb shaped neck area on pint and quart.

1959-1962 Half Gallon Bottle

Four finger handle on gallon and half-gallon.

1959-1962 Gallon Bottle

Four finger handle on gallon and half-gallon.

This guide has been prepared purely as an aid for collectors wishing to determine the vintage of early Clorox bleach bottles.
The Clorox Company sets no value on these bottles, nor does it wish to purchase old bleach bottles.