What chemicals are in Universal Cleaner?Updated 10 days ago
TL;DR: Two of them. Universal Cleaner is potassium hydroxide and laboratory grade purified water. Potassium hydroxide is the alkali that does the cleaning, and the purified water is filtered to remove the minerals and impurities tap water carries, so it dries without spotting. The alkaline formulation is what cuts through cooking grease and organic matter, making it easier to clean. No added fragrance, no phosphates, no parabens, no chlorine, no bleach, no added surfactants, no dyes, no preservatives and no animal-derived ingredients. Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certified, Allergy UK certified, Sensitive Choice approved and Eczema Association of Australasia recognised. Made in Australia.
What chemicals are in Universal Cleaner?
✓ What's in the box
Two ingredients, both named on the pack. Potassium hydroxide is the alkali that does the cleaning work. Laboratory grade purified water is filtered to remove the minerals and impurities tap water carries, so it dries without spotting.
That is the whole formula. It is made in Australia, has an 18-month shelf life, and runs about 3 months of everyday cleaning in an average home.
What does potassium hydroxide do?
✓ Potassium hydroxide, the alkali
Alkalis break down fats, oils and greasy soils, which is why one formula handles kitchen grime, bathroom scum and the film that builds on glass. The alkaline formulation is what cuts through cooking grease and organic matter, making it easier to clean, and that is the whole cleaning mechanism.
Practical consequences: spot test unfamiliar surfaces, keep it off unsealed stone and bare aluminium, and rinse anything food will touch.
✓ Laboratory grade purified water
Water pushed through a fine membrane to strip out the minerals and impurities tap water carries. That is why it dries without the spotting you get on glass and stainless steel, and why no anti-spotting additive is needed.
What's not in the formula?
✓ Not in the formula
No added fragrance. No phosphates. No parabens. No chlorine. No bleach. No added surfactants. No dyes. No preservatives. No animal-derived ingredients.
Those are the absences customers ask about most: perfume if you are managing asthma or allergies, chlorine bleach if fumes or colour damage are the worry, and preservatives if you are reading labels for a specific ingredient.
What do the independent certifications cover?
✓ Four independent bodies, four different criteria
GECA certified, an independent Australian environmental standard covering formulation, packaging and manufacture. Sensitive Choice approved by the National Asthma Council of Australia. Allergy UK certified. Eczema Association of Australasia recognised.
Each is a bounded assessment by a named body against published criteria. Vegan, cruelty-free, and made in Australia.

GECA certified, Allergy UK certified, Sensitive Choice approved, Eczema Association of Australasia recognised. Two ingredients, used undiluted, made in Australia. Runs about 3 months in an average home.

Pairs Universal Cleaner with Atomiser Spray Bottle and Universal Cloths Mixed 4pk. Everything you need to start.

Koh Perks · earn points on every order
Earn points on every purchase, refer a friend, and redeem for discounts on your next order. Find all the ways to save in one place.
Browse all Universal Cleaner articles
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Koh Australia

