What is Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner, and where should you use it?
Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner is a hose-on exterior cleaner for hard outdoor surfaces, formulated to lift dirt, grease and grime. It comes in a 2 litre bottle with a sprayer that attaches directly to your garden hose, so there is no bucket, no mixing and no dilution to work out — the hose does the diluting and the rinsing.
The working method is simple in both modes Selleys describes. For light cleaning: spray on, let it sit, rinse off. For deep cleaning: spray on, scrub, rinse off. The one number that governs the whole job is the five minute window — the product must not be left on the surface for longer than five minutes, and must not be allowed to dry.
It is bleach free, non-acidic, low odour, made in Australia, and covers up to 175 m².
Technical specification
| Property | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Form | Clear liquid |
| Colour | Colourless |
| Density | ~1.01 |
| pH | ~7 |
| Packaging | Bottle, 2 L |
| Coverage | Up to 175 m² |
| Fan spray reach | Up to 2 m (at normal pipe pressure, 500 kPa) |
| Jet stream reach | Up to 2.5 m (at normal pipe pressure, 500 kPa) |
| Maximum dwell time | 5 minutes — do not allow to dry |
Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.
What the key numbers mean in practice
The five minute limit is the number that shapes how you work. It is not a minimum contact time to aim for; it is a maximum you must not exceed, and it comes with a second instruction attached — do not allow the product to dry on the surface. Together those two mean you should work in sections you can rinse within five minutes, rather than spraying an entire wall and then going back to the start.
On a hot, sunny or windy day the practical window is shorter still, because those are the conditions in which a sprayed surface dries fastest. The sensible approach is to work on the shaded side of the house, or to work early or late, and to size each section to what you can comfortably rinse in time. If a section starts looking dry before you get back to it, wet it down.
Coverage of up to 175 m² from a 2 litre bottle tells you this is sized for whole-house work rather than a single job. That figure comfortably covers the exterior walls of a typical house, or a large area of paving and decking, in one bottle — provided you follow the instruction to spray sparingly.
The reach figures come with a condition worth reading: up to 2 m for the fan spray and up to 2.5 m for the jet stream, both quoted at normal pipe pressure of 500 kPa. If your mains pressure is lower than that, expect less reach. That matters when you are planning whether you can do the upper part of a wall from the ground or whether you need a ladder.
The stated pH of around 7 puts the product at neutral, and it is bleach free and non-acidic. That is the context for the broad surface list below. It is not, however, a licence to skip the compatibility test — Selleys still tells you to test an inconspicuous area first, and to discontinue use immediately if any change occurs.
Where to use it
The technical data sheet lists the product as suitable for:
- Weatherboards
- Render and concrete walls
- Garden walls
- Sealed timber and sealed outdoor furniture
- Planters
- House siding
- Pathways and pavers
- Decks and patios
- Caravans
- Painted surfaces
The product page additionally lists driveways alongside pathways. Note the word sealed attached to timber and outdoor furniture — that qualifier is in the source, and unsealed timber is not what this product is scoped to.
How to apply it
- Test an inconspicuous area for compatibility before use. If any changes occur, discontinue use immediately.
- Keep pets and children indoors during use.
- Shake the bottle well.
- Check the nozzle is set to 'OFF', then attach your garden hose.
- Select the 'SPRAY' stream setting and turn the garden hose on to start cleaning.
- Spray sparingly onto the surface, from top to bottom in a sweeping motion.
- Let it sit for no longer than 5 minutes, and do not let the product dry.
- Agitate stubborn areas if needed — a broom may be necessary on surfaces with stubborn dirt, and scrubbing may be required for ingrained dirt.
- Within 5 minutes, switch the nozzle setting to 'WATER' and rinse off thoroughly with water.
- Turn the nozzle to 'OFF', turn off the garden hose, and detach the bottle for storage.
Working top to bottom is worth doing properly. Dirty run-off travelling down a surface you have already cleaned leaves streaks that are more visible than the grime you started with, and the same logic applies to the rinse.
Limitations and cautions
- Heavily contaminated surfaces may require some scrubbing. The spray-and-rinse method has a limit, and ingrained dirt sits beyond it.
- The "will not stain" claim is conditional: use as directed on pack and rinse off within 5 minutes from surfaces. Leave it on longer and you are outside the conditions of that claim.
- The reach figures assume normal pipe pressure of 500 kPa.
- Do not mix with other detergents or chemicals.
- Rinse off plants immediately and thoroughly, and keep pets away from surfaces until they have been rinsed off.
- Test in a small inconspicuous area first. If any changes occur, discontinue use immediately.
Safety directions from the technical data sheet: read carefully and follow all instructions, keep out of reach of children, and wear protective gloves and protective clothing including eye and face protection. Refer to the product Safety Data Sheet for full warnings, first aid and shipping information.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight, away from foodstuffs and away from incompatible materials. Keep containers closed when not in use, and check them regularly for leaks.
Hazard classification
Classified as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7, with the signal word Warning.
- Eye damage/irritation — Category 2A. H319: causes serious eye irritation.
What is in it
| Chemical entity | CAS number | Proportion (w/w) |
|---|---|---|
| D-Glucose, decyl octyl ethers, oligomeric (alkyl polyglucoside surfactant) | 68515-73-1 | 1–10% |
| Non-hazardous or below reporting limits | — | Balance |
A single declared active at 1–10%: an alkyl polyglucoside, a plant-derived non-ionic surfactant. There is no solvent, no bleach, no acid and no alkali of note, and the only classification is eye irritation.
That is a mild profile for an outdoor cleaner, and it has a practical implication: this is a surfactant cleaner, not a mould killer and not a degreaser. It lifts general grime and surface soiling. Black mould in render or on decking needs a product formulated to kill it, and heavy grease needs an alkaline cleaner.
The eye classification is the one to respect because of how the product is used — sprayed or sloshed onto vertical surfaces, outdoors, frequently with wind and often above head height on walls and fences.
Protection
- Gloves — nitrile rubber for intermittent contact.
- Eye protection — safety glasses or goggles.
- Ventilation — work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash hands after use, and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do, then keep rinsing. If irritation persists, get medical advice. |
| Skin | Wash with soap and water. If a rash, redness or itching develops — including hours later — get medical advice, as that may indicate sensitisation rather than simple irritation. |
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. If irritation persists, seek medical advice. |
| Swallowed | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth and seek medical advice. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — with the container to hand. Selleys emergency line: 1800 220 770 in Australia, 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.
Common questions about Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner
Do I need to dilute it?
No. The bottle attaches to your garden hose and delivers the product ready to use.
How long do I leave it on the surface?
No longer than 5 minutes, and do not let it dry. Rinse thoroughly within that window.
How much area does one bottle cover?
Up to 175 m² from the 2 litre bottle.
How far does the spray reach?
Up to 2 m on the fan spray setting and up to 2.5 m on the jet stream, using normal pipe pressure of 500 kPa.
Will it stain my surfaces?
Selleys' "will not stain" claim applies when the product is used as directed on the pack and rinsed off within 5 minutes. Test an inconspicuous area first, and stop immediately if you see any change.
Is it safe around my garden?
Rinse off plants immediately and thoroughly. Keep pets and children indoors during use, and keep pets away from treated surfaces until they have been rinsed.
Does it contain bleach?
No. It is bleach free and non-acidic, with a pH of around 7.
Can I use it on my deck?
Yes — decks and patios are a listed use, and sealed timber is specifically included.
Can I use it on a caravan?
Yes, caravans are listed in the technical data sheet's uses, along with painted surfaces.
Do I still need to scrub?
Sometimes. Scrubbing may be required for stubborn or ingrained dirt, and a broom may be needed to agitate surfaces with stubborn dirt. Heavily contaminated surfaces are specifically noted as needing some scrubbing.
Can I mix it with another cleaner for a stronger result?
No. Do not mix it with other detergents or chemicals.
What should I wear?
Protective gloves and protective clothing, including eye and face protection.
Is there a matching product for windows?
Yes — see Selleys Outdoor Window & Glass Cleaner 2L. For interior walls and washable surfaces, Selleys Original Sugar Soap is the indoor equivalent.
What is Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner 2L designed to do?
Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner 2L is specially formulated to clean hard exterior surfaces of dirt, grease, and grime to keep surfaces looking pristine. It uses surfactant-based technology.
What size and packaging format does this product come in?
Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner comes in a 2L hose-on packaging format.
How much surface area can one bottle of this cleaner cover?
One bottle of Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner 2L can cover up to 175m².
What colour is Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner?
The product is clear/colourless in appearance.
What are the directions for using Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner 2L?
1. Shake the bottle well. 2. Ensure the nozzle is set to 'OFF' then attach your garden hose. 3. Select the 'SPRAY' stream setting and turn your garden hose on to start cleaning. 4. Spray sparingly onto the surface, from top to bottom in a sweeping motion. 5. Let sit for no longer than 5 minutes, without allowing the product to dry — a broom may be used to agitate surfaces with stubborn dirt. 6. Within 5 minutes, switch the nozzle setting to 'WATER' and rinse off with water thoroughly. 7. Turn the nozzle to the 'OFF' position, turn off the garden hose and detach for storage.
What is the difference between light cleaning and deep cleaning with this product?
For light cleaning, simply spray on, let sit, and rinse off. For deep cleaning, spray on, scrub, and rinse off.
Are there any safety precautions when using this cleaner?
Yes, the product label states to keep pets and children indoors during use.
What precautions should be taken regarding plants and pets when using this product outdoors?
Users should test in a small inconspicuous area first, and if any changes occur, discontinue use immediately. Rinse off plants immediately and thoroughly, and keep pets away from surfaces until they have been rinsed off.
How long should the product be left on a surface before rinsing to avoid staining?
The product should be used as directed on the pack and rinsed off within 5 minutes from surfaces to avoid staining.
What technology does Selleys Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner use?
It uses surfactant-based technology.