$20 Koh cleaning solution becomes viral TikTok sensation
With over 100k glowing reviews, this non-toxic cleaning product can be found in millions of people’s homes worldwide.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Head to the cleaning aisle of any supermarket and you’re greeted by shelves brimming with products claiming to be the “best” at eliminating grit and grime in seconds.
But for these disinfectants, bleaches and sanitisers to be so effective, they often rely on harsh chemicals and toxins — substances that aren’t great for our health or the planet.
Sure, you could give up every store-bought product for DIY formulations to avoid these complications. Or, you could simply make the switch to Koh, an Australian non-toxic cleaning brand trusted by over a million satisfied customers.
NOTE TO READ - Koh current has 40 per cent off Christmas Entertaining Essentials.
Originally launched in 2016 as a local Bondi market business by two dads, Adam Lindsay and Justin Alexander, Koh began with a mission to provide an all-in-one, eco-friendly cleaning solution that was affordable and simple to use.
Koh Surface + Spray Mop Starter Kit, $107.10 (down from $142.80) at Koh
But it wasn’t until late 2022 – six years after its founding – that the company began to make significant strides in the cleaning industry under the leadership of newly appointed CEO, Charli Walters.
“I saw immense untapped potential,” the CEO told news.com.au checkout. “The company had already established itself strongly in the surface cleaning category, supported by a loyal customer base.”
Walters, who had previously spearheaded a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business housing multiple leading brands, saw room to diversify Koh’s range.
“I believed in Koh’s strong offering and saw an opportunity to expand into new cleaning categories, channels and markets,” she explained.
With Walter’s strategic vision and extensive experience in driving transformative growth, Koh is now on track to generate $50 million in revenue this financial year.
The five-star eco-friendly cleaning products can also be found in over one million Aussie homes and 400,000 more across the UK, making it clear that Koh is becoming the preferred choice for many switching to greener cleaning products.
BECOMING A TIKTOK SENSATION
Much of the company’s recent booming success can be attributed to its social media strategy.
Although Koh has always been a “social-led brand” since its inception back in 2016, Walters’ focus on targeted marketing in 2024 is what has truly made a notable impact.
“2024 is the first year Koh started investing in brand marketing, achieving a 32 per cent rise in brand awareness, a 50 per cent boost in organic traffic and a 34 per cent increase in search traffic year-on-year,” confirmed Siobhan Spark, Koh’s Head of Brand.
Currently, the brand boasts over 139k followers on Instagram and 11.5k TikTok followers, with countless videos accumulating millions of views.
But click on any viral Koh content circulating social platforms and you’ll realise there are no fancy filters or make-believe editing processes involved. Instead, it’s raw and real footage along with tactics like transformations and ASMR, which demonstrate how oddly satisfying and enjoyable cleaning can and should be, if the right products are used.
“The world of social media is weird and wonderful, which I think is why people can’t get enough of seeing the grubbiest, grottiest homes getting a glow-up with Koh,” Walters said. “We’re fortunate that all of this content really does the selling for us, it shows how well our product works, which you really can’t argue with.”
THE $19.95 PRODUCT THAT OVER 100K RATE
Beyond the glitz and glam of social media, the foundation for Koh’s success can ultimately be attributed to Walters’ dedication to upholding the brand’s DNA: Developing safe, simple, sustainable and super-effective products.
“It’s these four factors that are the KOH DNA and really set us apart,” Walters noted. “We simply do not release a product that doesn’t satisfy this strict criteria and ultimately, we want our products to give our customers results that beat out both non-toxic and chemical-laden competitors, which is no small feat.”
The Universal Cleanser – the product that started Koh – is a prime example of this.
“It’s safe, it works and it’s great value,” Walters said. “It takes the thinking out of cleaning and solves many problems in one product.”
Universal Cleaner 4L, $35.90 at Koh
As a result, she confirms “millions” of the Universal Cleaner have been sold to date.
More specifically, “108,000 litres a month, 3600 litres a day, 150 litres per hour and 2.5 litres per minute” of this single product are purchased.
Available in a 2L ($19.95) or 4L ($35.90) size, the eco-friendly and fragrance-free “brand-busting overachiever” can be used on just about every surface in the home, from typical hard surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom to surfaces you might not expect, like fabric, windows and organic odours.
Backed by over 100k verified reviews with a 4.7 out of five-star average rating, it’s clear why the Universal Cleaner holds the title of Canstar Blue’s #1 Multipurpose Cleaner award for 2022 and 2023 — the only brand to retain this appellation two years running.
‘FOUR WEEKS’ WORTH OF STOCK SOLD OUT IN FOUR DAYS
This success seems to be translating into newer products developed under Walter’s leadership, like the Bathroom & Shower Cleaner.
Bathroom & Shower Cleaner 2L, $19.95 at Koh
Launched in November 2024, its initial four-week stock sold out in just four days.
“Its sales far exceeded our expectations” Walters said.
“Traditionally, bathroom cleaning products are associated with strong fumes and high toxicity — factors that not only impact our health but also harm waterways and the environment.”
The Bathroom & Shower Cleaner – which retails for $19.95 for 2L – rewrites this narrative, delivering a multi-enzyme foam formula that’s free from fumes, streaks or chalky residue. While tough on glass, tiles and stainless steel, it’s so gentle on your hands and health that you could technically wash your glassware with it.
“Our goal is to provide customers with a powerful, effective cleanser that delivers a sparkling bathroom without compromising their health or the planet’s wellbeing.”
Whichever Koh cleaning solution you decide to invest in, you can rest easy knowing it’s been independently verified by GECA, Sensitive Choice Australia, Allergy UK and dermatologists to ensure optimal safety for yourself, your household members, your pets and the planet.
“These certifications cover everything from ingredient and formula safety for humans and the environment to packing and supply chain,” Walters noted. “Independent certifications are unfortunately lacking in the cleaning industry, which isn’t as transparent as consumers may believe.”
To add to this all, Koh’s sustainability impact remains unrivalled by any other non-toxic cleaning brand on the market.
To date, Koh has helped plant over 1.5 million trees in Nepal, Africa and Indonesia through their partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, more than 570k plastic bottles have been rescued via their partnership with Greenspark and Plastic Bank, and 350k new cleaning supplies have been donated to charities, schools and underprivileged communities. This is all a result of the brand’s commitment to ensuring every Koh purchase helps give back to the planet.
Combine this with fast shipping and a first-order discount when purchased directly through Koh’s online site, and it’s clear why Koh is becoming the household cleaning product millions can trust.
More Coverage
“We’re out there to prove that clean can be safe — for people and the environment alike.”
Discover the full Koh range online at koh.com.
Looking for more cleaning hacks? Sign up for our free news.com.au checkout newsletter for information on all the latest home cleaning products. You can also check out the news.com.au Coupons page to secure home essential discounts.