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How does Universal Cleaner work?Updated 3 days ago

TL;DR: Universal Cleaner is a ready-to-use alkaline, no-rinse surface cleaner. Don't mix it with water or any other product. Spray directly onto the surface, let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds, wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. Two ingredients only: potassium hydroxide (alkali degreaser) and reverse osmosis water (ultra-pure solvent).


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Koh Universal Cleaner product features
Koh Universal Cleaner before and after

Do I need to dilute Universal Cleaner with water?

No. Koh Universal Cleaner is designed for neat use, straight from the box. Don't dilute it with water and don't mix it with any other cleaning product. Adding water reduces cleaning performance because the alkali concentration drops below the level needed to saponify grease effectively. Mixing with other cleaners can neutralise the alkaline formula or create unsafe reactions, especially with acidic cleaners like vinegar, citrus cleaners, or bleach. Universal Cleaner works the way it does precisely because it stays at full strength.

⚠ Don't dilute

No. Universal Cleaner is designed for neat use, straight from the box. Adding water reduces cleaning performance. Mixing with other cleaners can neutralise the alkaline formula or create unsafe reactions, especially with acidic cleaners like vinegar or bleach.

No water No other cleaners Ready to use

How does Universal Cleaner actually clean?

Koh Universal Cleaner cleans through saponification. The potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali that reacts with fats, oils, and organic grime on a surface, converting them into soluble soap. Once that conversion happens, the soap-and-grime complex lifts off the surface and wipes away easily. The reverse osmosis water acts as an ultra-pure solvent that carries everything off cleanly, with no minerals to leave behind. That combination is why Universal Cleaner works on grease, soap scum, and organic soil without needing a rinse, and why it leaves glass and polished surfaces streak-free.

✓ Potassium hydroxide

The alkali that does the work. Reacts with fats, oils, and organic grime through saponification, turning them into soluble soap that lifts off the surface.

pH 12.5 Saponifies fats

✓ Reverse osmosis water

Ultra-pure solvent. Carries the soap-and-grime complex off the surface without leaving mineral residue, water spots, or streaks.

Ultra-pure Streak-free

Do I need to rinse after using Universal Cleaner?

For most surfaces, no rinse is needed. Spray Koh Universal Cleaner, wait 10 to 30 seconds, wipe with a microfibre cloth, and you're done. This applies to glass, mirrors, tiles, sealed floors, bathroom surfaces, ovens, and stovetops. For food preparation surfaces such as benchtops, cutting boards, and the inside of the fridge, follow up with a clean damp cloth after wiping for added peace of mind before food touches the surface. The formula is no-rinse by design because there are no surfactants, fragrances, or residues left behind once the soap-and-grime complex is wiped away.

✓ Usually no rinse needed

Glass, tiles, sealed floors, bathroom surfaces, ovens, stovetops. Spray, wait, wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. Done.

No-rinse Streak-free

✓ Damp-wipe food surfaces

For food prep areas (benchtops, cutting boards, inside the fridge), follow up with a clean damp cloth after wiping. Peace of mind before food touches the surface.

Food prep Damp wipe

How do I use Universal Cleaner?

Using Koh Universal Cleaner is a four-step process. Decant the cleaner straight from the box into a spray bottle: Atomiser Spray Bottle for fine mist on glass and light surfaces, or the Spray Mop Bottle for floors. Spray directly onto the surface, neat with no water and no dilution. Let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds, or up to a few minutes for heavy baked-on grime or soap scum, so the alkali has contact time to break down the grime. Wipe clean with a Universal Cloth or any clean microfibre cloth. For food prep surfaces, follow up with a damp cloth.

✓ Step by step

1

Decant into a bottle. Atomiser Spray Bottle for fine mist on glass and light surfaces, or Spray Mop Bottle for floors.

2

Spray directly onto the surface. Neat, no water, no dilution.

3

Let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds. Longer (up to a few minutes) for heavy baked-on grime or soap scum. The alkali needs contact time to break down the grime.

4

Wipe clean. Use Universal Cloths or any clean microfibre cloth. Follow with a damp cloth on food surfaces if preferred.

Koh Universal Cleaner 2L

Universal Cleaner

2L bag-in-box refill. The same two-ingredient formula in our most popular size. Approximately 3 months of cleaning for the average home.

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Last reviewed: April 2026

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