Is אקונומיקה the Hebrew word for disinfectant?

No. אקונומיקה is household chlorine bleach made as a sodium-hypochlorite solution, not a general word for every disinfectant. Look for מחטא on a product carrying a disinfecting claim.

Is סנו a type of cleaner?

No. סנו is a manufacturer and brand family. Specify bleach, floor cleaner, dish liquid, or another product category when shopping.

Can נוזל כלים go in a dishwasher?

No. נוזל כלים is hand-dishwashing liquid, and the foaming is unsuitable for a dishwasher. Look for חומר למדיח, טבליות למדיח, or קפסולות למדיח.

What does סקוטש mean in an Israeli cleaning aisle?

סקוטש means an abrasive scouring pad or the abrasive backing on a sponge. ספוג means the sponge itself, and סקוץ׳ is another spelling seen on labels.

Is a מגב the same as a mop?

מגב is a floor squeegee with a rubber blade, not an absorbent string or sponge mop. A מגב pushes water and can carry a separate floor cloth.

Israeli Cleaning Products: Hebrew Names

Cleaners

On the label or sign

אקונומיקה: chlorine bleach
סמיכה: thickened
מבושמת: perfumed

אקונומיקהChlorine bleach

ekonomika

US English

chlorine bleach

UK English

chlorine bleach

What it is

אקונומיקה is household chlorine bleach made as a sodium-hypochlorite solution. אקונומיקה may be plain, perfumed, thickened, or foaming.

The difference

אקונומיקה is not a general word for every disinfectant. A spray marked בתוספת אקונומיקה is not identical to concentrated bleach.

Common mistake

Check the label instead of assuming אקונומיקה is safe on every surface.

On the label or sign

סנו: the manufacturer and brand family

סנוSano brand

Sano

US English

Sano, a manufacturer and brand

UK English

Sano, a manufacturer and brand

What it is

סנו is an Israeli household-products company and brand family. The portfolio includes bleach, floor cleaner, dishwashing liquid, laundry products, and cleaning cloths.

The difference

סנו does not mean cleaner as a generic noun. The large red סנו logo identifies the manufacturer rather than one product class.

Common mistake

Specify bleach, floor cleaner, dish liquid, or another category instead of asking for a סנו.

On the label or sign

ניקוי כללי: general cleaning
רב־תכליתי: multi-purpose
קרם ניקוי: cleaning cream

חומר ניקוי כללי / רב־תכליתיAll-purpose cleaner

khomer nikui klali / rav-takhliti

US English

all-purpose cleaner

UK English

multi-surface cleaner

What it is

חומר ניקוי כללי or רב־תכליתי is a general cleaner sold as a liquid, spray, gel, or cream.

The difference

חומר ניקוי כללי is not automatically a disinfectant. A separate disinfecting claim identifies a disinfectant.

Common mistake

Look for a separate disinfection claim instead of assuming רב־תכליתי means kills germs.

On the label or sign

מחטא: disinfects
ניקוי וחיטוי משטחים: cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

חומר חיטוי / מחטא משטחיםSurface disinfectant

khomer khitui / mekhate mishtakhim

US English

surface disinfectant

UK English

surface disinfectant

What it is

חומר חיטוי or מחטא משטחים carries a disinfecting claim. The disinfecting function may be separate from the cleaning function.

The difference

מחטא identifies disinfection rather than general cleaning. The label may state an alcohol percentage or required contact instructions.

Common mistake

Follow the use and contact instructions instead of wiping מחטא משטחים off immediately.

On the label or sign

מסיר שומנים: degreaser
לשומן קשה: for tough grease

מסיר שומניםDegreaser

mesir shumanim

US English

degreaser

UK English

degreaser

What it is

מסיר שומנים is a strong kitchen or general grease remover. מסיר שומנים is commonly sold in a trigger bottle or refill.

The difference

מסיר שומנים targets grease rather than every kind of dirt. Painted, aluminum, stone, and delicate surfaces may require label checking.

Common mistake

Check the label before using מסיר שומנים on painted, aluminum, stone, or delicate surfaces.

A bottle of limescale remover beside a scaled tap

On the label or sign

מסיר אבנית: limescale remover
אנטי קאלק: anti-calc or limescale product

מסיר אבניתLimescale remover

mesir avanit

US English

limescale remover

UK English

limescale remover

What it is

מסיר אבנית is an acidic or specially formulated cleaner for mineral scale around taps, showers, and toilets.

The difference

אבנית means mineral scale. אבנית is different from ordinary soap scum or grease.

Common mistake

Identify mineral scale before choosing מסיר אבנית instead of treating every bathroom mark the same way.

On the label or sign

מסיר עובש וטחב: mold and mildew remover

מסיר עובשMold remover

mesir ovesh

US English

mold remover

UK English

mould remover

What it is

מסיר עובש is a cleaner for mold or mildew staining, often in wet rooms. Formulations vary.

The difference

מסיר עובש removes staining but does not repair the leak, condensation, or failed sealant behind recurring mold.

Common mistake

Do not treat מסיר עובש as a repair for a leak, condensation, or failed sealant.

A bottle of blue window cleaner with a cloth

On the label or sign

חלונות: windows
שמשות: glass panes
זכוכית: glass

מנקה חלונות / שמשותWindow cleaner

menake khalonot / shamashot

US English

glass and window cleaner

UK English

glass and window cleaner

What it is

מנקה חלונות or מנקה שמשות is a cleaner for windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces.

The difference

מנקה חלונות does not automatically suit every screen, coated surface, or stone worktop.

Common mistake

Check the label before using מנקה חלונות on a screen, coated surface, or stone worktop.

A jug of floor cleaning liquid beside a bucket of water

On the label or sign

נוזל רצפות: floor-cleaning liquid
שטיפת רצפה: floor washing
למכונות שטיפה: for floor-washing machines

נוזל רצפות / חומר לשטיפת רצפותFloor-cleaning liquid

nozel ritspoth / khomer lishtifat ritspoth

US English

floor-cleaning liquid

UK English

floor-cleaning liquid

What it is

נוזל רצפות is a concentrate or ready-to-use liquid for washing floors by hand.

The difference

A separate low-foam product may be sold for floor-washing machines. ריצפז is a brand rather than the generic category.

Common mistake

Do not put ordinary foaming נוזל רצפות into a robot or floor-washing machine.

A bottle of toilet cleaner with an angled neck

On the label or sign

ג׳ל לניקוי אסלה: toilet-cleaning gel
WC: toilet cleaner
מסיר אבנית לאסלה: toilet limescale remover

מנקה אסלותToilet-bowl cleaner

menake aslot

US English

toilet-bowl cleaner

UK English

toilet cleaner

What it is

מנקה אסלות is a thick gel or other cleaner designed for inside the toilet bowl. An angled-neck bottle is common.

The difference

מנקה אסלות may be a toilet descaler that contains acids. The toilet-bowl category is separate from bleach.

Common mistake

Never mix מנקה אסלות with bleach.

A bottle of drain opener beside a sink plug-hole

On the label or sign

פותח סתימות: drain opener
אינסטלטור נוזלי: liquid plumber

פותח סתימותDrain opener

poteakh stimot

US English

drain opener

UK English

drain unblocker

What it is

פותח סתימות is a caustic, enzymatic, or other drain-clearing product. פותח סתימות may be sold as a liquid or granules.

The difference

Different פותח סתימות products are not interchangeable. Different drain products must not be combined.

Common mistake

Follow the label for פותח סתימות and never combine drain-clearing products.

A bottle of dish soap beside a sink with bubbles

On the label or sign

נוזל כלים: hand-dishwashing liquid
נוזל לניקוי כלים: liquid for cleaning dishes

נוזל כלים / נוזל לניקוי כליםDish soap

nozel kelim

US English

dish soap

UK English

washing-up liquid

What it is

נוזל כלים is detergent for washing dishes by hand. נוזל כלים usually comes in a squeeze or pump bottle.

The difference

נוזל כלים is not dishwasher detergent. The foaming of hand-dishwashing liquid is unsuitable for a dishwasher.

Common mistake

Buy dishwasher detergent instead of putting נוזל כלים into a dishwasher.

Dishwasher tablets in front of an open dishwasher

On the label or sign

למדיח כלים: for a dishwasher
טבליות למדיח: dishwasher tablets
קפסולות למדיח: dishwasher capsules

חומר / טבליות / קפסולות למדיחDishwasher detergent

khomer / tavliyot / kapsulot la-madiakh

US English

dishwasher detergent or tablets

UK English

dishwasher detergent or tablets

What it is

חומר למדיח is machine-dishwashing detergent. חומר למדיח may be powder, gel, tablets, or capsules.

The difference

חומר למדיח is distinct from נוזל כלים even though both labels contain כלים.

Common mistake

Look for למדיח כלים instead of buying hand-dishwashing liquid for a dishwasher.

Sponges and Cloths

A kitchen sponge with a yellow soft side and green scouring side

On the label or sign

ספוגים לניקוי ולהדחת כלים: sponges for cleaning and washing dishes

ספוגSponge

sfog

US English

cleaning sponge

UK English

cleaning sponge

What it is

ספוג is a soft or dual-sided washing sponge. Packages may describe sponges for cleaning and washing dishes.

The difference

ספוג names the sponge. Only the abrasive layer is normally described as סקוטש.

Common mistake

Do not call both sides of a ספוג סקוטש when only one side is abrasive.

On the label or sign

סקוטש: scouring surface or pad
קרצוף: scrubbing
כריות ניקוי: cleaning pads

סקוטש / כרית קרצוףScouring pad

skotch / karit kirtzuf

US English

scouring pad

UK English

scouring pad

What it is

סקוטש or כרית קרצוף is an abrasive pad or the abrasive backing on a sponge. סקוץ׳ is another spelling seen on labels.

The difference

סקוטש names the abrasive surface rather than the soft sponge. Abrasive pads can scratch sensitive surfaces.

Common mistake

Do not use סקוטש on non-stick cookware, polished metal, glass coatings, or other scratch-sensitive surfaces.

On the label or sign

ספוג הפלא: magic sponge
ספוגית הקסם: magic cleaning sponge

ספוג הפלא / ספוגית הקסםMagic eraser

sfog ha-pele / sfogit ha-kesem

US English

magic eraser

UK English

magic eraser

What it is

ספוג הפלא or ספוגית הקסם is a dense cleaning sponge sold for mark removal. The product usually appears as white blocks or sheets.

The difference

The word הפלא does not mean non-abrasive. ספוג הפלא is not safe on every finish.

Common mistake

Check the surface before assuming ספוג הפלא is non-abrasive or safe on every finish.

On the label or sign

מטלית רב־שימושית: multi-use cleaning cloth
מטלית מיקרופייבר: microfiber cloth

מטליתCleaning cloth

matlit

US English

cleaning cloth

UK English

cleaning cloth

What it is

מטלית is a general cleaning cloth. A מטלית may be woven, nonwoven, disposable, or microfiber.

The difference

מטלית does not always mean a floor cloth. The label may identify a multi-use cloth or microfiber cloth.

Common mistake

Read the full label instead of assuming every מטלית is a floor cloth.

A grey knitted floor cloth beside a bucket

On the label or sign

סמרטוט רצפה: floor cloth
סחבה: floor rag

סמרטוט רצפה / סחבהFloor cloth

smartut ritspa / skhava

US English

floor cloth or floor rag

UK English

floor cloth or floor rag

What it is

סמרטוט רצפה or סחבה is an absorbent cloth used under or over a floor squeegee during sponja. Some floor cloths have a central opening for the squeegee handle.

The difference

סמרטוט רצפה is a separate cloth rather than a mop head permanently attached to a handle.

Common mistake

Do not expect סמרטוט רצפה to come permanently attached to a handle.

Floor and Household Tools

A floor squeegee with a rubber blade, magev

On the label or sign

מגב: floor squeegee

מגבFloor squeegee

magev

US English

floor squeegee

UK English

floor squeegee

What it is

מגב is a long handle with a straight rubber blade for pushing water. A מגב can also carry a floor cloth.

The difference

מגב is a floor squeegee rather than an absorbent string or sponge mop. A bare מגב pushes water toward a drain but does not absorb water.

Common mistake

Use a floor cloth with מגב when absorption is needed instead of expecting the rubber blade to absorb water.

On the label or sign

מטאטא: broom
יעה: dustpan

מטאטא / יעהBroom and dustpan

matate / ya

US English

broom and dustpan

UK English

broom and dustpan

What it is

מטאטא and יעה are the standard broom and dustpan pair used for dry cleaning before wet floor washing. יעה may have a long handle.

The difference

מטאטא removes sand and dust before water reaches the floor. Pouring water first can create muddy residue.

Common mistake

Sweep with מטאטא and יעה before pouring water on the floor.

On the label or sign

דלי שטיפה: washing bucket
דלי ספונג׳ה: sponja bucket

דליBucket

dli

US English

cleaning bucket

UK English

cleaning bucket

What it is

דלי is a washing bucket used for water, diluted cleaner, and rinsing cloths.

The difference

A cleaning bucket may be labeled דלי שטיפה or דלי ספונג׳ה.

Common mistake

Keep דלי water away from small children because very shallow bucket water can be a drowning hazard.

On the label or sign

מברשת קרצוף: scrubbing brush
ראש מטאטא קרצוף: scrubbing broom head

מברשת קרצוףScrubbing brush

mivreshet kirtzuf

US English

scrubbing brush

UK English

scrubbing brush

What it is

מברשת קרצוף is a hand or handled stiff-bristle brush for bonded dirt.

The difference

מברשת קרצוף is a scrubbing tool rather than a soft indoor broom.

Common mistake

Do not treat מברשת קרצוף as a soft indoor broom.

Yellow rubber cleaning gloves over a sink

On the label or sign

כפפות ניקוי: cleaning gloves

כפפות ניקויCleaning gloves

kafafot nikui

US English

household cleaning gloves

UK English

household cleaning gloves

What it is

כפפות ניקוי are protective household cleaning gloves. כפפות ניקוי may be reusable or disposable.

The difference

The term כפפות ניקוי can cover reusable and disposable gloves rather than one single glove type.

Common mistake

Do not assume every pair of כפפות ניקוי is reusable.

On the label or sign

שקיות אשפה: trash bags or bin liners
עם שרוך: with a drawstring

שקיות אשפהTrash bags

sakiyot ashpa

US English

trash bags

UK English

bin liners

What it is

שקיות אשפה are bags sized by bin volume or dimensions. Drawstring versions are common.

The difference

The words small or large do not give a reliable fit. The stated dimensions or liter capacity identify the suitable size.

Common mistake

Choose שקיות אשפה by the bin dimensions or stated liter capacity instead of only by small or large wording.

English item	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
Chlorine bleach	אקונומיקהekonomika	Household chlorine bleach
All-purpose cleaner	חומר ניקוי כללי / רב־תכליתיkhomer nikui klali / rav-takhliti	Not automatically a disinfectant
Surface disinfectant	חומר חיטוי / מחטא משטחיםkhomer khitui / mekhate mishtakhim	Follow the contact instructions
Degreaser	מסיר שומניםmesir shumanim	For grease
Limescale remover	מסיר אבניתmesir avanit	For mineral scale
Mold remover	מסיר עובשmesir ovesh	For mold or mildew staining
Window cleaner	מנקה חלונות / שמשותmenake khalonot / shamashot	For windows, mirrors, and glass
Floor-cleaning liquid	נוזל רצפות / חומר לשטיפת רצפותnozel ritspoth / khomer lishtifat ritspoth	Check before using in a machine
Toilet-bowl cleaner	מנקה אסלותmenake aslot	Never mix with bleach
Drain opener	פותח סתימותpoteakh stimot	Never combine drain products
Dish soap	נוזל כליםnozel kelim	For washing by hand
Dishwasher detergent	חומר / טבליות / קפסולות למדיחkhomer / tavliyot / kapsulot la-madiakh	For a dishwashing machine

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Cleaners

אקונומיקהChlorine bleach

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סנוSano brand

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חומר ניקוי כללי / רב־תכליתיAll-purpose cleaner

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חומר חיטוי / מחטא משטחיםSurface disinfectant

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מסיר שומניםDegreaser

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מסיר אבניתLimescale remover

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מסיר עובשMold remover

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מנקה חלונות / שמשותWindow cleaner

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נוזל רצפות / חומר לשטיפת רצפותFloor-cleaning liquid

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מנקה אסלותToilet-bowl cleaner

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פותח סתימותDrain opener

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נוזל כלים / נוזל לניקוי כליםDish soap

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חומר / טבליות / קפסולות למדיחDishwasher detergent

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Sponges and Cloths

ספוגSponge

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סקוטש / כרית קרצוףScouring pad

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ספוג הפלא / ספוגית הקסםMagic eraser

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מטליתCleaning cloth

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סמרטוט רצפה / סחבהFloor cloth

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Floor and Household Tools

מגבFloor squeegee

What it is

The difference

Common mistake