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Can I add essential oils to Universal Cleaner?Updated 13 days ago

TL;DR: Yes. Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to Universal Cleaner in your Atomiser Spray Bottle or Spray Mop tank. Swirl gently to combine. That's the limit. More than a few drops risks clogging the fine spray nozzle and won't clean any better. Avoid pure citrus oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot), which can break down the spray mechanism over time.


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Koh Atomiser Spray Bottle
Koh Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil

How do I add essential oils to Universal Cleaner?

Fill your Atomiser Spray Bottle or Spray Mop tank with Koh Universal Cleaner as usual. Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil directly to the bottle. Swirl gently to disperse. Don't shake vigorously, which can over-foam the alkaline cleaner. Spot test on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface before cleaning. Then wipe down as normal. The same 2 to 3 drop limit applies to a fresh refill or a top-up. If you're decanting Universal Cleaner from the bag-in-box into a freshly washed Atomiser, add the oil after the cleaner, not before, so the oil disperses evenly.

✓ Three-step method

1

Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil directly into the Atomiser Spray Bottle or Spray Mop tank after filling with Universal Cleaner.

2

Swirl gently to disperse the oil. Don't shake vigorously.

3

Spot test on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the full surface. Then wipe down as normal.

⚠ Don't exceed 2 to 3 drops

Higher concentrations won't clean any better. Extra oil builds up inside the spray valve and clogs the fine atomiser nozzle, which can permanently damage the bottle. Stick to 2 to 3 drops per full bottle, every time.

2 to 3 drops max Clogs valves Can damage bottle

Which oils work well with Universal Cleaner?

Koh sells three essential oils formulated to work with Koh Universal Cleaner: Eucalyptus Oil (fresh and clean), Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil (citrus-fresh, the most popular choice with Koh customers), and Lavender Calm Essential Oil (calming and light). All three are safe for the Atomiser Spray Bottle and the Spray Mop tank when used at the recommended 2 to 3 drops per fill. A few drops per bottle lasts the full refill. Other essential oils that are not pure citrus and are not thick or resinous (such as tea tree, peppermint, rosemary) generally work too, though Koh's three are the tested and recommended options.

Koh Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil

Fresh and clean. Popular classic scent.

Koh Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil

Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil

Citrus-fresh scent. Most popular choice for Koh customers.

Koh Lavender Calm Essential Oil

Lavender Calm Essential Oil

Calming and light. Great for bedrooms, laundry, and bathrooms.

Which oils should I avoid?

Avoid pure citrus oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, lime) in the Atomiser Spray Bottle. Pure citrus oils contain d-limonene, a natural solvent that can break down the plastic spray mechanism over time. Also avoid thick, resinous, or sticky oils such as myrrh, patchouli, vetiver, and benzoin, which clog the fine atomiser nozzle. Koh's own Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil is fine despite its citrus name because it's tea tree oil with a naturally-occurring lemon-like scent, not a pure citrus oil. The same applies to other tea tree blends labelled as citrus-scented. If you're unsure about a specific oil, the safest bet is to use one of Koh's three approved oils or stick to fragrance-free.

⚠ Oils to avoid

Pure citrus oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot). Thick or resinous oils (myrrh, patchouli, vetiver). These can damage the spray mechanism over time. Koh's Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil is fine because it's tea tree based, not pure citrus.

No pure citrus No thick oils Lemon Tea Tree is OK

What if I prefer zero scent?

Just leave the oils out. Koh Universal Cleaner is fragrance-free by design and performs exactly the same without essential oils. This is why it's Sensitive Choice approved by the National Asthma Council of Australia, Allergy UK certified, and Eczema Association of Australasia certified. For people with asthma, fragrance sensitivities, eczema, or anyone who just prefers their cleaner to smell like nothing at all, the base formula is already ideal. Adding essential oils is a personal preference, not a performance requirement.

✓ Fragrance-free by design

Universal Cleaner performs exactly the same without oils. Sensitive Choice approved, Allergy UK certified, Eczema Association certified. Ideal for asthma, fragrance sensitivities, and anyone who prefers no scent at all.

Fragrance-free Sensitive Choice Asthma friendly
Koh Universal Cleaner 2L

Universal Cleaner

Fragrance-free. Scent it with 2 to 3 drops of essential oil, or leave it alone. Works the same either way.

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Last reviewed: April 2026

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