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Does Dishwashing Liquid kill bacteria?Updated a day ago

TL;DR: Dishwashing Liquid lifts grease and food residue from plates and pans so they rinse away with the water. For everyday washing up, that physical removal is the job. If you also need a sanitising step, use a dishwasher sanitise cycle or finish with a hot rinse and full air-dry.

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Koh Dishwashing Liquid on a kitchen bench
Koh Dishwashing Liquid product features panel

Does Dishwashing Liquid kill bacteria?

Koh Dishwashing Liquid is a detergent, not a disinfectant. It lifts grease and food residue off plates and pans so the microbes living in that residue rinse away with the wash water. Koh does not test or register the product as a disinfectant. The formula is pH 6.5, 11 ingredients, made in Australia, with two enzymes that break down protein and fat during a 5 to 10 minute soak. Where a sanitising step matters, such as baby feeding equipment or someone in the house being unwell, heat is the usual answer: a dishwasher sanitise cycle, or a hot rinse and a full air-dry after hand washing.

✓ How it cleans: lift, then rinse

Dishwashing Liquid works mechanically. The formula loosens grease and food residue during the soak, and the microbes living in that residue leave with the water when you rinse. For sanitising, use heat or a dedicated food-contact sanitiser after washing.

For everyday washing up that is the whole job. Physically removing the food is what keeps a kitchen in good shape day to day.

pH 6.5 11 ingredients Two enzymes 5 to 10 minute soak Made in Australia

How do I sanitise dishes when I need to?

Sanitising is a separate step from washing, and heat is the simplest way to do it at home. In a dishwasher, run a cycle with a final hot rinse around 65 to 70 degrees Celsius, or the dedicated sanitise option if your machine has one, using Koh Dishwashing Tabs rather than Koh Dishwashing Liquid. Hand washing at the sink, rinse in the hottest water your hands and the items comfortably tolerate, then leave everything to air-dry on a rack instead of wiping with a tea towel. For baby feeding equipment, illness in the house, or a specific hygiene requirement, use a sanitiser labelled for food-contact surfaces and follow its directions.

✓ Heat does the sanitising

In a dishwasher, run a cycle with a final hot rinse around 65 to 70°C, or the dedicated sanitise option, using Dishwashing Tabs. Hand washing, rinse in the hottest water your hands and the items comfortably tolerate, then air-dry on a rack rather than wiping with a tea towel.

Hot rinse 65 to 70°C Dishwasher sanitise cycle Air-dry on a rack

✓ When you need a dedicated product

Baby feeding equipment, someone in the house being unwell, or a specific hygiene requirement at home all call for a sanitiser labelled for food-contact surfaces. Use it after washing, follow its directions, and rinse as that product tells you to.

Baby feeding equipment Food-contact surfaces Use after washing

What are good washing-up habits?

Scrape food off plates first, wash with detergent, rinse well, then air-dry on a rack rather than wiping with a damp tea towel. Change sponges and dishcloths often and wash cloths on a hot cycle. Do not put Koh Dishwashing Liquid in a dishwasher, use Koh Dishwashing Tabs instead, and do not mix it with bleach, ammonia or any other cleaning product. These routine habits do more for a kitchen than any single product claim, and they are what the 5 to 10 minute soak is designed to fit around.

✓ The daily routine

Scrape food off first, wash with detergent, rinse well, then air-dry. Skip the damp tea towel. Change sponges and Swedish Dishcloths often, and wash cloths on a hot cycle.

Scrape first Rinse well Air-dry Fresh cloths

⚠ Two things to keep separate

Do not put Dishwashing Liquid in a dishwasher. Use Dishwashing Tabs for the machine. And do not mix it with bleach, ammonia or any other cleaning product, which can produce fumes and will not clean any better.

Not for dishwashers No bleach No ammonia

Koh Dishwashing Liquid in a kitchen

Dishwashing Liquid

pH 6.5, 11 ingredients, made in Australia. GECA certified, Sensitive Choice approved, Dermatest tested, Eczema Association recognised. Lasts 1 to 2 months.

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Dish Starter Kit · new at Koh?

Includes Dishwashing Liquid plus the Dish Pump. Soak your dishes, then wipe and rinse, no scrubbing needed.

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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Koh Australia

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