Koh is a universal cleaning solution that was formulated in Australia, free from the harsh chemicals that often left strong fumes and are harmful on the environment. Koh claims to be an eco-friendly product and because it is odourless, you don’t need to worry about any more harsh odours and watery eyes.
You may notice that there is no label to identify the exact ingredients. The main component is a chemical compound called potassium hydroxide which is commonly used as a strong base which you may recognise as “lye” in the soapmaking process. Due to it’s powerful caustic nature in its raw form, it is often added with water and other compounds to be less corrosive.
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Koh Universal Cleaner is formulated from less than 0.5% potassium hydroxide as the active ingredient and purified water.
Chemistry talk aside, this formulation is what allows Koh to efficiently and effectively breakdown tough greasy stains with a solution that is colourless and odourless.
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First thoughts on Koh
I made an order on 12 July 2020 and a neat little package arrived just three days later on 15 July 2020 (within Australia), talk about a fast delivery! I purchased the ‘Home Starter Bundle Deal’ and an extra 4 Litre solution of the Universal Cleaner.
The Home Starter Bundle comes with:
- 1 x 4 Litre Universal Cleaner
- 1 x Atomiser Spray Bottle
- 4 x Microfibre Cloths
- 4 x Diamond Sponges
Buying this bundle saves you 50% off the total price compared to purchasing these products individually!
Keeping reading below on how the Koh solution performs as a universal cleaner and the atomiser bottle as an applicator for Koh.
The microfibre cloths are made from good quality material and are durable enough to be used over and over again. A common problem with microfibre cloths is the stitching on the edges that can come apart after several washes, leaving behind frayed edges. The Koh cloths are manufactured with thorough stitching to withstand multiple washes.
The diamond sponges are of amazing quality! I am happy to be rid of my scourers that seem to disintegrate after two uses. The tough abrasive surface makes tough stains and grease a breeze – and is somewhat the secret weapon in the Koh cleaning method but more on that below.
Lastly, this is a huge disclaimer – the website currently states that the diamond sponge is a “relatively low abrasive” but I would beg to differ! The rough surface of the diamond sponge does leave behind microscratches. This is especially more evident on high gloss surfaces, reflective surfaces, shiny metals, chrome, non-stick equipment and certain plastics. Through first-hand experience, these are the surfaces I would not recommend using the Koh diamond sponge.
Does Koh work as a universal surface cleaner?
Koh is advertised as a universal cleaner but does it really replace all the standard household cleaners? The short answer is no but in my experience, I found that it replaced a lot of harsher chemical products like oven cleaner and stove top cleaner. At the end of the day, its personal preference on what surfaces you are cleaning and how hygienic you want it to be.
Given the formulation of Koh, it’s important to remember that it is primarily used to remove dirt, grime, grease, dust, debris and other physical contaminants. What it doesn’t work so well on, is destroying bacteria and built up soap scum. This is the reason why I still retain a disinfectant and a household vinegar recipe to do certain jobs.
Read more about which cleaners are best for common household jobs. Keep reading for which household jobs Koh works best as a universal surface cleaner and the reason why I choose it over common commercial products available on the market .
Oven cleaner
I found that Koh stands out from the crowd in terms of performance when it comes to the standard oven cleaner. The conventional oven cleaner is extremely caustic in nature and can cause watery eyes, strong fumes and a burning cough if accidentally inhaled. Koh is odourless, colourless and does not release any toxic fumes. Following the Koh cleaning method, tough stains can easily be removed within 3 minutes. Yes, this also includes those almost impossible to remove caked-on grease glass doors! The specially designed aerosol cleaning bottle also helps to project fine particles evenly over oven surfaces to make sure built on grime is penetrated with the solution for an easy clean each time.
Product replacement: Easy-Off Bam Oven Cleaner Heavy Duty
Ceramic & induction cooktop surface cleaner
Initial cleaning removes burnt on food stains and oil splatters with ease. The best part is that it leaves a streak free finish where Cerapol would leave behind powder residues. Without having to clean any powder residues that might be left behind, I also found Koh faster to clean with and uses less product.
Product replacement: Hilmark Cerapol Ceramic Glass & Induction Cooktop Cleaner
Stone benchtop surface cleaner
Removes grease and strong food stains (tomato based, turmeric, coffee etc.) with a streak free finish. It does not leave behind any fragrances that I’ve found to be lingering, strong and artificial smelling such as Spray ‘n’ Wipe.
Product replacement: Ajax Spray n’ Wipe Multipurpose Antibacterial Cleaner
Dishwasher odour and grime cleaner
Now this is a bonus find that I stumbled across and am sharing with you! There are dishwasher cleaners that promise to clean hidden parts in the dishwasher and to remove mineral and grime buildup for a fresh smelling and cleaner machine. Even after using dishwasher cleaners, rinsing out the arms, brushing the filters, using vinegar and bicarb soda, I still found that I was still getting an unpleasant odour coming from somewhere inside the dishwasher. Eventually, someone suggested cleaning under and around the rubber seal at the base of the door. Here I found a thick buildup of black grime that would not come off with my usual disinfectant wipe after many tries.
I tried scraping it off gently with a knife so as not to damage the surface and found that only this would work but I didn’t want to scratch the stainless steel or damage the rubber seal. I decided to try it out with Koh and waited for the suggested 3 minutes on really tough stains. To my surprise, it wiped off in one go (using a dry paper towel) and had removed the unpleasant odour that had been lingering for almost 2 years. I now just do a quick spray and wipe twice a week to keep the odour at bay and prevent heavy grime buildup.
Product replacement: Ajax Eco Antibacterial Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
Stainless steel and glossy cupboard laminate
Just like other surface cleaners, even using a dry paper towel can leave behind streak marks or can’t quite tackle the infamous handprints. Koh works effortlessly to remove food stains, watermarks, fingerprints and any oily films. It works well in my stainless steel kitchen sinks and dishwasher front door where food debris, oily finger marks and water spots are the biggest culprits!
Product replacement: Ajax Eco Antibacterial Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
Where not to use the Koh diamond sponge
The Koh diamond sponge works great to remove heavy built up grease and oil stains but is also a very strong abrasive tool. The rough exterior of the sponge can leave behind micro-abrasions on reflective surfaces that usually require a non-scratch approach. Here are the areas and surfaces that I’ve tested where I would not recommend using the Koh diamond sponge:
- Non-stick baking tray: a regular scourer works fine but the diamond sponge was just a little too much for the tray to handle. It removed the thick grease from a roast chicken but also removed the non-stick layer.
- Stainless steel kitchen sink: I initially intended to use the diamond sponge to remove built-up watermarks from hard water in our water supply. This one was hard to spot but in certain lighting, the micro-abrasions were very clear.
- Stainless steel utensils: the micro-abrasions easily removed the shine and made the utensil surface dull in appearance. This goes the same for the oven wire racks. In this instance however, I do continue using the diamond sponge on the wire racks as it is superior to any other scourer sponge in removing baked-on grease and grime over a long period.
- Glass surfaces: give highly reflective surfaces like glass splashbacks, mirrors, induction cooktops and even bathroom glass showers a miss. Just like stainless steel surfaces, micro-abrasions can be seen clearly and can leave permanent scratches on the surface. The only exception to this would be the glass oven door but as always, the advice is to spot test first on all your surfaces prior to using the diamond sponge.
So now that you’ve made up your mind on using Koh, let me walk you through the steps on the Koh cleaning method.
Light cleans
Heavy duty cleans
Spray the surface until saturated and leave for 2-3 minutes to soak. Dampen a diamond sponge with Koh solution and gently work into tough stains or built-up grease. Repeat steps as required.
Okay, so more on the secret weapon of Koh! So what makes the heavy-duty Koh cleaning method so effective in removing tough stains? Yes, the Koh solution itself does a decent job of breaking down the grease but it’s actually the strong abrasive nature of the diamond sponge that does the trick. So where has this theory been tested? Only on one of the toughest stains that most people are familiar with of course. The infamous baked-on grease and stains from a glass oven door. No elbow grease required!
Tips and tricks for easy cleaning with Koh
- Always use on dry surfaces, using only dry microfibre cloths or paper towels saturated with Koh solution if more moisture is required.
- If using the diamond sponge, spot test in an inconspicuous area on a surface before you use the sponge.
- A heavy spray left for a few minutes and dabbed with a dry cloth, will neutralise most organic stains and odours.
- Machine wash Koh cleaning cloths and line dry. Don’t use bleach or softeners when machine washing. The cloths are large enough to fold into four. Clean with one side at a time until dirty. Machine wash up to 60°C. Colours may run. Wash whites separately.
Do's and Don'ts with Koh
Do:
- Always spot test the Koh solution and diamond sponge on all surfaces in a discreet area prior to cleaning.
- Lightly spray for light cleans, less is more and don’t overspray.
- The Koh solution is a fragrance-free product. Add 2-3 drops of essential oils to a bottle for a pleasant scent. Try eucalyptus oil, lemon oil or lavender oil.
- Use the Koh solution within 18 months (shelf life expiry).
The final verdict on Koh
Would I continue using Koh? The short answer is, yes I would and I do continue to use it on a daily basis. Maybe not for all its intended purposes as advertised, but for daily surface cleans, the ceramic cooktop and oven is all I really need it for. For everything else, I am happy to stick to my other eco-friendly cleaning products.
Is the price really worth it? Some people would argue that it’s not, considering it’s potassium hydroxide diluted with water. The price for the Koh solution I feel is within the range of other similiar eco-friendly products (per unit price) like Bosisto’s and Ajax Eco. The diamond sponges for me are also a win and for $2.50 per sponge (which are super long lasting) I think it does its job well.
The design of the atomiser bottle works well with the Koh solution and similar designs can be found on Amazon for similar prices. You can give the microfibre cloths a miss, my $3 ones from Daiso work just as well. One of the best parts of the Koh system is that it reduces solid waste and plastic spray bottles by refilling up the solution each time. You can purchase these online in a handy 4 litre pack.
My final verdict is a thumbs up for the Koh solution. It is a great eco-friendly alternative to cleaning products on the market that contain harsh caustic chemical ingredients like oven cleaners and a good option for a safe cleaning product that can be used in septic systems.
If you’ve read this far, then congratulations you’re now ready to purchase Koh! To get you started with your Koh journey, you save $25 off your first purchase through Run Greener. No voucher or discount code needed! Free shipping is available on all Refill Bundles and orders over $75.
Inspired by the Koh journey? Follow them on Instagram for more ideas and projects! @cleanedbykoh
Please note that this is not a sponsored review. All products in this review have been purchased and fully paid for. This is an unbiased and honest review of all products mentioned and not influenced by any paid advertising or sponsorship.
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