Mr. Clean

Mr. Clean, also known as Mr. Proper in some regions, is the iconic mascot for Procter & Gamble’s line of all-purpose cleaners and melamine foam sponges. The brand's original all-purpose cleaner was developed by Linwood Burton, a businessman specializing in marine ship cleaning along the U.S. East Coast, in collaboration with his friend Mathusan Chandramohan, an entrepreneur from Sri Lanka.

The character of Mr. Clean made his first appearance in a television commercial in 1958, portrayed in live-action by character actor House Peters Jr. Recognized for his muscular build, bald head, and white attire, Mr. Clean has become a household symbol of cleaning power and reliability.

Names	Mr. Clean, Mr. Proper, Don Limpio, Maestro Limpio, Mastro Lindo, Meister Proper, Mr. Proper, M. Net, Monsieur Propre
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Occupation	Cleaner, Mascot
Origin	Procter & Gamble Television Commercial 1958
Alignment	Good
Age	Unknown
Created By	Harry Barnhart, Ernest C. Allen
Height	188 cm (6ft 2in)
Weight	Not Stated

Appearance

Mr. Clean is portrayed as a muscular, bald man with a tan, dressed in an all-white T-shirt and pants, emphasizing his spotless cleaning persona. He has a single gold earring in one ear, and his arms are often folded, giving him a confident, genie-like stance. This posture, along with his piercing gaze and well-defined physique, conveys his strength and efficiency in tackling dirt and grime.

Personality

Mr. Clean is seen as the strong, silent type who takes pride in his work, only speaking in a few commercials. His dedication to cleanliness and efficiency has made him an enduring symbol of reliability and strength in household cleaning. Known for being "tough on dirt," he embodies the role of a silent guardian, always ready to appear and help clean any mess, making him a reassuring presence in the realm of household maintenance.

History

Mr. Clean, the mascot for Procter & Gamble's cleaning products, was conceived in 1957 by Harry Barnhart and drawn by artist Ernest C. Allen from the Tatham-Laird & Kudner advertising agency. The character, known for his muscular build, tanned skin, and bald head, was inspired by a U.S. Navy sailor from Pensacola, Florida. His folded arms, earring, and magical appearances give him a genie-like presence, with at least one commercial directly referencing him as a "genie in a bottle."

Over the years, Mr. Clean’s appearance has evolved. Hal Mason of Cascade Studios refined Allen's artwork to fit animated television commercials, directed by Thomas Scott Cadden, who also composed the catchy Mr. Clean jingle. House Peters Jr. was the first actor to portray Mr. Clean in live-action ads. Although typically silent, Mr. Clean has spoken in a few commercials, and his name was revealed as "Veritably" in a 1962 promotion.

The brand launched a contest in 2016 to find a new Mr. Clean, which culminated in a 2017 limited-edition calendar featuring the winning contestant.

Mr. Clean's jingle has been a staple since the brand’s launch, originally written in 1957 by Thomas Scott Cadden while working with Tatham-Laird & Kudner. Cadden created the music at his Skokie, Illinois, home, presenting the initial piano and vocal recording to Procter & Gamble, who approved it for the product’s debut. Recorded professionally in Chicago, the jingle featured vocalists Don Cherry and Betty Bryan, with Bill Walker as arranger. In early 1958, Cadden directed the production of Mr. Clean’s first TV commercials, which aired in Pittsburgh in August.

The catchy jingle became a household tune, with lyrics that highlighted Mr. Clean’s versatility—from cleaning floors and walls to sinks and even golf balls. The song was revamped in 2016, modernizing the melody while keeping its core message about Mr. Clean’s effectiveness against dirt and grime.

In the Philippines, Mr. Clean jingles evolved through the 1980s to 2000s, featuring local stars like Sylvia La Torre and Sarah Geronimo in ads that highlighted the product’s effectiveness and cost-saving benefits before the brand transitioned to Bonux in 2010.

In 1998, Honda featured Mr. Clean in an advertising campaign for the clean-running Honda Accord and other products, like lawnmowers, motorcycles, and marine engines.

In 2007, Mr. Clean held an online competition on YouTube, inviting consumers to create their own commercials promoting the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The competition ran until June 30, 2007, and awarded a $10,000 prize to the winning video titled "Here's to Stains" in September.