Most multi-purpose cleaners on UAE shelves look similar from the front: a spray bottle, a green leaf somewhere on the label, a pleasant scent. What's actually inside varies a lot more than the packaging suggests. Here's what to check before buying one, and what SANNA's Multi-Purpose Cleaner does differently.
What to avoid
Synthetic fragrance. Listed simply as "fragrance" or "parfum," this can legally bundle dozens of unlisted compounds. It contributes nothing to cleaning performance and is one of the most common triggers for skin and respiratory sensitivities.
Added dye. Like fragrance, color is added purely for shelf appeal. It has no cleaning function and is unnecessary on any surface, especially food-contact ones.
Chlorine bleach. Effective as a disinfectant, but unnecessary for everyday wiping, corrosive to some surfaces, and produces fumes that are dangerous if accidentally mixed with ammonia-based products.
Phosphates. Once standard in cleaning formulas, phosphates contribute to algae blooms and water pollution when they wash down the drain. Many regulators have restricted them for this reason, but they're still present in some multi-purpose formulas.
Antibacterial claims you don't need. Cleaning experts and chemists widely agree that everyday surfaces don't need antimicrobial treatment — soap and standard surfactants remove enough germs for routine cleaning. Antibacterial formulas (often built on quaternary ammonium compounds, or "quats") are worth keeping on hand if someone in the household is sick, but aren't necessary for daily counters and sinks.
What to look for instead
A short, readable ingredients list. Plant- or mineral-based surfactants and an acid (usually citric) to cut grease and limescale is enough to do the job. If you can't tell what most of the ingredients are, that's worth noting.
Refillable packaging. A tablet or concentrate added to a bottle you keep reduces the plastic and shipping weight of buying a new spray bottle every time.
Clear surface guidance. A well-formulated multi-purpose cleaner should tell you plainly which surfaces it's for — and which it isn't. Vague "use on everything" claims are usually a sign the formula wasn't tested surface by surface.
How SANNA's Multi-Purpose Cleaner fits this
SANNA's Multi-Purpose Cleaner is a refillable tablet system, sold in the UAE on Amazon.ae. The formula is built on plant- and mineral-based surfactants and citric acid. It contains no added fragrance, no dye, no chlorine, and no phosphates.
How to use it:
- Fill the bottle with 500ml of lukewarm water.
- Drop in one tablet.
- Let it dissolve for 15 minutes, then use.
One tablet makes one full 500ml bottle.
What it's designed for: kitchen counters, stovetops, bathroom sinks and tiles, and everyday spills on sealed hard surfaces.
Where it fits in a full cleaning routine
A multi-purpose cleaner, a descaler, and a stain remover do different jobs:
- Multi-Purpose Cleaner — everyday wiping on counters and sealed surfaces.
- Citric Acid — heavier limescale and descaling jobs (kettles, taps).
- Bicarbonate of Soda — mild abrasive scrubbing for sinks, tubs, and grout.
- Sodium Percarbonate — stain lifting and brightening.
Used together, they cover most everyday household cleaning without a cabinet full of single-use sprays.
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FAQ
How much water and how many tablets do I need? 500ml of lukewarm water and one tablet, dissolved for 15 minutes before use.
Do I need an antibacterial multi-purpose cleaner for everyday use? Not for routine cleaning. An antibacterial product is worth having on hand specifically if someone in the household is sick.
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