Is Universal Cleaner a safer choice around pets?Updated a day ago
TL;DR: Universal Cleaner is fragrance-free, phosphate-free and approved under the National Asthma Council of Australia's Sensitive Choice program, alongside Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certification, Allergy UK certification and Eczema Association of Australasia recognition. Two ingredients: potassium hydroxide and laboratory grade purified water. That makes it a safer choice in pet homes than a conventional fragranced cleaner. Animals vary, and species vary a lot, so birds and reptiles want more care than cats and dogs. Keep pets off surfaces while you clean and let everything dry fully before they come back.
What makes Universal Cleaner a safer choice around dogs, cats and other pets?
✓ Why it works in pet homes
Two ingredients only. No added fragrance, which matters because dogs and cats have far more sensitive noses than we do. No phosphates, parabens, chlorine or bleach. GECA certified, Sensitive Choice approved, Allergy UK certified and Eczema Association of Australasia recognised.
Fewer irritants in the air and on the floor means fewer triggers for an animal with a sensitive nose, sensitive paws or sensitive skin.
⚠ Standard cleaning-product handling
As with any cleaning product, never spray it onto a pet. Keep pets off the surface while you are cleaning, store the bottle out of reach, and ventilate the room. If you are worried about how your animal has reacted to something, your vet is the right call, and the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline is on 1300 869 738 around the clock.
How should I clean when pets are around?
✓ Three-step routine when pets are around
Move pets to another room before you start. Closed door, separate space, no curious sniffing while the surface is wet.
Spray, wait, wipe. 10 to 30 seconds contact time, then wipe clean with a Koh cloth. Ventilate the room while you work.
Let surfaces dry fully before letting pets back in. Floors and low surfaces matter most, because that is where paws land and noses go.
Do birds, reptiles and small animals need different care?
✓ Birds, reptiles and small caged animals
Birds move air through their lungs in one direction rather than in and out. That makes their respiratory system remarkably efficient and also more sensitive to anything airborne than a cat or a dog. Reptiles and small caged animals sit in a similar bracket, partly because enclosures are small and poorly ventilated.
The practical version: clean the enclosure and the room while the animal is somewhere else, ventilate well, rinse hard surfaces with a damp cloth, and let everything dry fully before the animal goes back in. If your animal has a respiratory or skin condition, your vet knows its history and is the right person to ask.
Can I use Universal Cleaner on pet accidents?
✓ Hard surfaces
Tiles, sealed floorboards, vinyl, laminate. Spray, wait, wipe. Then rinse with a damp cloth and let it dry before pets come back.
✓ Carpets and upholstery
Spot-test a hidden area first, since alkaline cleaners can lift certain dyes and finishes. Light spray, blot with a clean cloth, no scrubbing. For lingering odour, follow up with an enzyme-based treatment made for pet stains.
Can I clean pet food and water bowls with it?
✓ Bowls, mats and water stations
Spray into the bowl, leave it 10 to 30 seconds, scrub the ring off with a brush or cloth, then rinse thoroughly under clean running water and let it air dry before you refill. Ceramic, stainless steel and glazed bowls all handle it, and so do feeding mats and water station trays.
Water bowls build a slippery film within a day or two in warm weather. A daily rinse plus a proper clean twice a week stays ahead of it.
GECA certified, Allergy UK certified, Sensitive Choice approved, Eczema Association of Australasia recognised. Two ingredients, alkaline formulation, 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.
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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Koh Australia