Our Story
Two cousins, a shockingly dirty phone, and a better way to fight germs — from a college science lab to ABC's Shark Tank to millions of devices disinfected.
PhoneSoap was invented by cousins Wes LaPorte and Dan Barnes, who set out to solve a gross truth they proved in the lab: the average phone is 18 times dirtier than a public bathroom. Wipes and sprays were inconsistent and wasteful, so they built a safe, enclosed UV-C chamber that disinfects a phone in minutes — no chemicals required. Here's how it happened.
Modern technology for a healthier life.
From one phone sanitizer to a full family of products that keep your devices, air, and routines healthy.
The PhoneSoap timeline
At Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Wes (studying Life Science and doing cancer research on campus) and Dan (studying Business Marketing) saw a TV report claiming a shocking share of cell phones were contaminated with fecal matter. They tested their own phones, proved the average phone is 18× dirtier than a public bathroom, won BYU's Student Innovator of the Year and Best Marketing at Rice University's business-plan competition, and built the first prototype.
PhoneSoap is founded. A Kickstarter campaign raises $63,000 — 3.5× the original $18,000 goal — to produce the first units.
The first product, PhoneSoap 1, launches — selling 22,349 units in its first year.
PhoneSoap Locker launches.
PhoneSoap pitches on Season 6, Episode 16 of ABC's Shark Tank, receives three offers, and chooses Lori Greiner — a $300,000 investment for 10% equity. Lori's QVC firepower sends the brand mainstream. That fall, a Kickstarter for the tablet-sized PhoneSoap XL raises over $65,000 against a $30,000 goal.
PhoneSoap 2 and the large-capacity PhoneSoap XL launch.
PhoneSoap moves beyond UV: the filterless AirSoap air purifier and the faster PhoneSoap Pro both launch.
The UV Toothbrush Sanitizer launches in the fall — UV-C clean for the one thing you put in your mouth twice a day.
PhoneSoap Baby launches — gentle, chemical-free UV-C disinfection for pacifiers, bottles, and the gear little ones touch most.
Over 4 million units sold and still founder-led — disinfecting devices and air for families, hospitals, and schools worldwide.
Featured on Shark Tank, CNN, Forbes, and Good Morning America.
Stop fighting germs like it's 1999.
Most people still reach for wipes and chemical sprays, but they're inconsistent at best — slow to work, full of fumes and residue, and responsible for billions of plastic containers a year. We found a better way in UV-C light: the same germicidal technology hospitals and labs have trusted for decades, in a safe, enclosed device anyone can use. Our patented 360-degree design reaches every crevice a wipe would miss, helping you kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses† in minutes — no heat, liquid, or chemicals. See how UV-C works.
One mission, a whole lineup.
Small-item disinfection
Disinfect phones, keys, and cards with the bestselling PhoneSoap 3, the faster PhoneSoap Pro, the travel-ready PhoneSoap Go, and PhoneSoap Wireless.
Large-item disinfection
Tablets, remotes, controllers, and headphones fit inside HomeSoap, our large-capacity UV sanitizer.
Whisper-quiet air purification
Take on airborne viruses, allergens, and odors with AirSoap, our filterless TPA® air purifier — no replacement filters, ever.
Shared-device disinfection
Professional spaces rely on ExpressPro, our rapid UV-C sanitizer that disinfects shared devices in 30 seconds or less.
See what the Sharks saw.
Modern technology for a healthier life — disinfect the things you touch most.
Shop PhoneSoap† Testing was conducted in a laboratory setting on actual phones, Apple Watch, headphones, credit cards, and keys with a variety of pathogens, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Coronavirus 229E. Real-world results may vary depending on size, shape, and material of phone or phone case.