Whatever Happened To GarmaGuard Garment & Fabric Cleanser After Shark Tank Season 12?

Disinfection, sanitization, and protection from germs have always been major priorities for businesses and individuals, but the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the public's awareness of the everyday risks of germs. According to data from Statista, since March 2020, there's been an increase in the use of just about every cleaning product, from hand sanitizer to bleach. People are routinely cleaning with disinfectant wipes, bulking up their handwashing regime, and taking special care to tackle the dirtiest spots in the house, but many are looking for an increased layer of protection when they're out and about. Pete and Bianca Badawy were looking to fill this gap in the market with their product, GarmaGuard.

Despite the timeliness of their idea and a solid pitch, the couple didn't end up receiving an investment from any of the Sharks on Season 12, Episode 1 of "Shark Tank." They did, however, leave with positive feedback from each of the investors on the show, all of whom agreed that the company would flourish with or without their investments.

On the first episode of Season 12 of "Shark Tank," Pete and Bianca Badawy came in strong with a pitch close to their hearts. Bianca Badawy was a nurse, and Pete Badawy was a police chief — two jobs that leave you dirty and in desperate need of a shower and clean outfit as soon as you step in the door. In many situations, however, there's no time to completely clean your clothes and kill the germs that collect on them throughout the day, so they developed GarmaGuard as a quick-fix solution.

This spray is a disinfectant that eliminates the source of the odor: bacteria. Unfortunately, however, at the time of their pitch, GarmaGuard wasn't EPA-registered, so they weren't able to display the product's disinfectant qualities on their label. Futhermore, the "Shark Tank" pitch coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, and the Badawys hadn't yet had test results that confirmed that the product worked on the virus. This caused many of the Sharks to step back and decline the pair's ask of $100,000 for a 10% stake in the company, though the entire panel agreed that the product likely didn't need an additional investment to sell.

After their pitch on "Shark Tank," it's likely that the creators of GarmaGuard continued business as usual. On the show, it was suggested that they become EPA-registered so they can make more specific claims about their product's ability to kill COVID-19 and eliminate germs on their bottle. It's likely that the pair worked towards this goal, but they're either still waiting for approval or failed to prove their product's effectiveness as the packaging has yet to change.

Despite this hangup, the company seemed to take off after their episode of the show aired. Even if you don't make a deal, many companies that appear on the show still gain publicity and customers as a result of their time on screen, and GarmaGuard was filling a desire that many people had for a product during the pandemic. A television appearance and approval from the Sharks likely helped the pair boost their product sales, secure more business deals, and usher in a new level of success.

Despite not making a deal with any of the stars of "Shark Tank," the panel of investors was correct: GarmaGuard was likely to succeed either way. Since their appearance on the show, Pete and Bianca Badawy appear to have struck a deal with Walmart to get their product on shelves. They also currently sell their garment and fabric cleaner on their website and through Amazon, and they even had a brief segment on HSN.

Additionally, the creators of GarmaGuard have taken a more creative approach to advertising than many up-and-coming companies. Instead of simply relying on social media or television appearances, the brand sponsors athletes like MMA fighter Jason Jackson and UFC fighters Loik Radzhabov and Herbert Burns. Choosing athletes who participate in a particularly sweaty sport certainly helps increase public trust in the product, even if they still have yet to achieve EPA registration.

Currently, the creators of GarmaGuard appear to be focusing primarily on advertising rather than developing new products. It's likely that they will continue their sponsorship work with athletes to help increase brand awareness, especially among audiences who need something to help them freshen up after a sweaty workout. They also seem to be focused on sharing firsthand reviews from customers on both their website and social media pages, likely to create more credibility and foster a sense of trust in consumers.

After their time on "Shark Tank," Pete and Bianca Badawy might not have made a deal with any of the Sharks, but their company seems to be succeeding, just as the entrepreneurs on the show suspected it would. GarmaGuard is still in its early stages as a brand and as a product, so it's most likely still gaining its footing in the industry. If it grows into a more well-established business, there's no telling what's next for the company.