Koh AU logo
Koh AU logo
All articles

Does Universal Cleaner kill bacteria and viruses?Updated 12 hours ago

TL;DR: Universal Cleaner is lab-tested effective against common foodborne bacteria including salmonella, campylobacter, and E.coli. It is not a sanitiser or disinfectant and will not kill viruses. For virus elimination after illness or for medical-grade hygiene, use a dedicated disinfectant with approved TGA or EPA virucidal claims.

Last reviewed: April 2026

Koh Universal Cleaner safe for homes and surfaces
Koh Universal Cleaner product features

Does Universal Cleaner kill bacteria?

Yes, for common foodborne bacteria. Koh Universal Cleaner has been validated under scientific lab testing against salmonella, campylobacter, and E.coli, the bacteria most commonly implicated in household kitchen hygiene issues. The alkaline pH 12.5 formula denatures bacterial cell walls on contact. Koh Universal Cleaner is not a registered sanitiser or disinfectant, so for clinical-grade bacterial kill claims, a dedicated disinfectant is the right tool. For everyday kitchen and bathroom cleaning, Universal Cleaner removes the grease, food residue, and organic matter that pathogens shelter in.

✓ Lab-tested effective against

Yes, for common foodborne bacteria. Universal Cleaner has been validated under scientific lab testing against the bacteria most commonly implicated in household kitchen hygiene issues. The alkaline pH 12.5 formula denatures bacterial cell walls on contact.

Salmonella Campylobacter E.coli

Does Universal Cleaner kill viruses?

No. Koh Universal Cleaner is a surface cleaner, not a virucide. It has not been tested or registered as a sanitiser or disinfectant and will not kill viruses such as colds, flu, or COVID-19. For virus elimination after illness or before vulnerable household members visit, follow up your cleaning with a dedicated disinfectant that carries approved TGA (Australia) or EPA (US) virucidal claims. Disinfectants work most effectively on a pre-cleaned surface, so cleaning with Universal Cleaner first and disinfecting after is the correct sequence.

⚠ Not a sanitiser or disinfectant

No. Universal Cleaner is a surface cleaner, not a virucide. It hasn't been tested or registered as a sanitiser or disinfectant and won't kill viruses like colds, flu, or COVID-19. For virus elimination, reach for a dedicated disinfectant with approved TGA or EPA virucidal claims.

Not a virucide Not a disinfectant Not a sanitiser

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Cleaning physically removes grease, food residue, dirt, and organic matter from surfaces, including the soils that pathogens shelter in. Disinfecting chemically kills the remaining pathogens on a pre-cleaned surface using regulated antimicrobial actives. The two are complementary, not substitutes. Use Koh Universal Cleaner first to clean and degrease the surface (which is also lab-tested effective against common foodborne bacteria like salmonella, campylobacter, and E.coli). For virus elimination, illness recovery, or high-touch surfaces, follow up with a registered disinfectant that carries TGA or EPA approval. Disinfectants work most effectively on a clean surface, so the order matters.

✓ Clean first with Universal Cleaner

Cleaning removes the grease, food residue, dirt, and organic matter that shelters pathogens. Universal Cleaner is lab-tested effective against common foodborne bacteria and leaves surfaces ready for disinfection if needed.

Cleans Degreases Kills common bacteria

✓ Disinfect after with a virucide

Disinfecting chemically kills remaining pathogens on a pre-cleaned surface. For virus elimination or medical-grade hygiene, follow up with a dedicated disinfectant with approved TGA or EPA claims. Disinfectants work best on a clean surface.

Virus elimination Illness recovery High-touch surfaces
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.

Join Koh Perks

Koh Perks

Save more on every order. Members earn points, unlock member-only drops, and stack savings with bundles and freebies.

Join Koh Perks

Browse all Universal Cleaner articles

Chat with ROS-E

Chat with ROS-E

ROS-E handles most questions in seconds, 24/7.

Prefer a human? Just ask. If ROS-E can't answer, the rest of our team will step in. We usually reply within 1 to 2 business days.

koh universal cleaner bacteria, koh universal cleaner kills bacteria, koh universal cleaner antibacterial, koh universal cleaner germ killing, koh universal cleaner kills germs, does koh kill germs, does koh kill bacteria, koh universal cleaner salmonella, koh universal cleaner kills salmonella, koh universal cleaner e coli, koh universal cleaner ecoli, koh universal cleaner e.coli, koh universal cleaner kills ecoli, koh universal cleaner campylobacter, koh universal cleaner kills campylobacter, koh universal cleaner foodborne bacteria, koh universal cleaner food poisoning, koh universal cleaner food safety, koh universal cleaner kitchen hygiene, koh universal cleaner bench top hygiene, koh universal cleaner raw meat, koh universal cleaner chicken, koh universal cleaner cross contamination, koh universal cleaner cutting board, koh universal cleaner viruses, does koh kill viruses, koh universal cleaner virucide, koh universal cleaner kills viruses, koh universal cleaner covid, koh universal cleaner coronavirus, koh universal cleaner flu, koh universal cleaner influenza, koh universal cleaner cold and flu, koh universal cleaner sanitiser, koh universal cleaner sanitizer, koh universal cleaner disinfectant, koh universal cleaner not a disinfectant, koh universal cleaner not a sanitiser, koh universal cleaner tga, koh universal cleaner tga registered, koh universal cleaner epa, koh universal cleaner epa registered, koh universal cleaner lab tested, koh universal cleaner scientific testing, koh universal cleaner cleaning vs disinfecting, koh universal cleaner cleaning versus disinfecting, koh universal cleaner clean before disinfecting, koh universal cleaner after illness, koh universal cleaner sick household, koh universal cleaner ph 12.5 bacteria, koh universal cleaner alkaline bacteria, koh universal cleaner denatures, is koh a disinfectant, is koh a sanitiser, is koh antibacterial, can koh be used to kill germs, what bacteria does koh kill, does the koh universal cleaner kill bacteria and germs, does the koh universal cleaner kill viruses

Was this article helpful?
Yes
No