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Can I use Universal Cleaner on food prep surfaces?Updated a day ago

TL;DR: Universal Cleaner suits food prep surfaces on one condition: rinse with a clean damp cloth and let the surface air dry before food touches it. That covers benchtops, splashbacks, wooden chopping boards, sinks and the inside of the fridge. It's a two-ingredient, fragrance-free, phosphate-free, paraben-free formula. The alkaline formulation is what cuts through cooking grease and organic matter, making it easier to clean, and it's also why the rinse is part of the method rather than an optional extra. A Swedish Dishcloth is handy for the rinse. Spot test unfamiliar surfaces first.

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Can I use Universal Cleaner on food prep surfaces?

Koh Universal Cleaner suits food prep surfaces provided you rinse with a clean damp cloth and let the surface air dry before food touches it. That condition is part of the answer, not a footnote. Use it on benchtops in stone, laminate or stainless, on splashbacks, wooden chopping boards, sinks, tapware, the inside of the fridge and stovetop areas. The formula is two ingredients, potassium hydroxide and laboratory grade purified water, with no fragrance, no phosphates and no parabens. The alkaline formulation is what cuts through cooking grease and organic matter, making it easier to clean, and it is also why the rinse and air-dry step matters on any surface food will sit on. Koh Universal Cleaner is GECA certified, Allergy UK certified, Sensitive Choice approved and Eczema Association of Australasia recognised, and it is made in Australia.

✓ Suits these food prep surfaces

Benchtops in stone, laminate or stainless. Splashbacks. Wooden chopping boards. Sinks and tapware. The inside of the fridge. Stovetop areas. In every case, rinse with a clean damp cloth and let the surface air dry before food touches it.

Benchtops Wooden boards Sinks Splashbacks Inside the fridge

⚠ The rinse is the condition

Universal Cleaner is alkaline. The alkaline formulation is what cuts through cooking grease and organic matter, making it easier to clean, and it's why the last step on a food prep surface is a rinse with a clean damp cloth and an air dry before food touches it. Do that every time on anything food will sit on, cook on or be cut on.

Alkaline formulation Rinse with a damp cloth Air dry before food contact

✓ Independent credentials

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certified. Allergy UK certified. Sensitive Choice approved by the National Asthma Council Australia. Eczema Association of Australasia recognised. Two ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free, made in Australia. No fragrance, no parabens, no phosphates, no chlorine bleach.

GECA certified Allergy UK certified Sensitive Choice approved Eczema Association recognised Fragrance-free

How should I clean a food prep surface with Universal Cleaner?

Spray Koh Universal Cleaner directly onto the surface, neat, with no dilution. Let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds, or longer for heavier grime or baked-on food residue. Wipe clean with a clean Koh cloth to lift the grime. Then rinse with a clean damp cloth such as a Koh Swedish Dishcloth and let the surface air dry before food touches it. That fourth step is what clears any trace of the alkaline formula from a surface food is going to sit on, so treat it as part of the job rather than an extra. The same four steps work on stone, laminate, stainless steel, wooden chopping boards and the inside of the fridge.

✓ Four-step food prep clean

1

Spray directly onto the surface. Neat, no dilution.

2

Let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds. Longer for heavier grime or baked-on food residue.

3

Wipe clean with a clean Koh cloth to lift the grime.

4

Rinse and air dry. Go over it with a clean damp cloth such as a Swedish Dishcloth, then let the surface air dry before food touches it. Don't skip this one.

Can I use Universal Cleaner on wooden chopping boards?

Koh Universal Cleaner suits wooden chopping boards and butcher blocks. Spray, wipe, rinse with a clean damp cloth, and let the board air dry before food touches it. On heavily seasoned or oiled boards, spot test a hidden corner first, because an alkaline cleaner will gradually lift an oil finish over repeated use. For everyday cleaning a quick spray and wipe is fine, and re-oil an oiled board as needed to keep the finish up. Avoid soaking a wooden board in any cleaner, since prolonged moisture warps timber.

✓ Wooden chopping boards

Fine for everyday cleaning. Spray, wipe, rinse with a clean damp cloth, air dry before food touches it. On an oiled or seasoned board, spot test a hidden corner first, since an alkaline cleaner will gradually lift an oil finish. Re-oil as needed, and don't soak a board in any cleaner.

Spray and wipe Rinse with a damp cloth Air dry before use Spot test oiled boards
Koh Universal Cleaner refill

Universal Cleaner

GECA certified, Allergy UK certified, Sensitive Choice approved, Eczema Association of Australasia recognised. Two ingredients, alkaline formulation, made in Australia. On food prep surfaces, rinse and air dry before food touches it.

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Koh Swedish Dishcloths 4pk

Swedish Dishcloths 4pk

The rinse cloth for step four. Cellulose and cotton, highly absorbent, home compostable at end of life. 4 per pack.

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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Koh Australia

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