The 12 Best All-Purpose Cleaners of 2023
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You can use these versatile cleaners for just about any and every cleaning task.
Real Simple / Alli Waataja
When deep cleaning every night is not a doable task, quick habits like spraying the countertops and other surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom with an all-purpose cleaner can help to maintain a tidy home. All-purpose cleaner is perhaps the most versatile cleaning product, given that it can clean up messes, disinfect surfaces, and deodorize your home.
However, it’s important to note that there are some places you shouldn’t use a multi-purpose cleaner. “Do not use all-purpose cleaners containing bleach, citrus, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide on marble countertops,” says Sara San Angelo, professional housekeeper and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady. “These cleaners will corrode or burn the marble finish creating dull spots called etching.”
To determine the best all-purpose cleaners, we spent hours researching various formulas, looking at factors like fragrance, ingredients, versatility, and ability to clean, sanitize, and/or disinfect. In addition to San Angelo, we also spoke with Vera Peterson, former president of Molly Maid, for tips and recommendations on how to choose the best all-purpose cleaner.
Best Overall All-Purpose Cleaner: Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner
What Stands Out
This disinfecting cleaner destroys bacteria without bleach.
What Could Be Improved
The scent of this all-purpose cleaner is fairly strong.
Clorox might be the most well-known disinfectant brand, even earning a spot on the EPA’s list of disinfectants to use against COVID-19. The Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner is bleach-free, but still powerful enough to clean and disinfect an array of surfaces including stainless steel, sealed granite, and plastic.
While this cleaner is not plant-based and contains some harsh ingredients, including fragrance, this is definitely the most effective all-purpose cleaner on most surfaces from the kitchen to the bathroom. As the label claims, this cleaner kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses when sprayed at a certain distance and left for the recommended amount of time before wiping the surface clean. The Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner may also be the best choice for large households, especially those with children, since it will fully clean and disinfect without bleach while leaving a light, lingering scent of crisp lemon.
Price at time of publish: $13
Type: Liquid | Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Lemon
Best Budget All-Purpose Cleaner: Everspring All-Purpose Cleaner
What Stands Out
This fragrant cleaner has a bio-based formula.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn’t disinfect surfaces.
Everspring’s All-Purpose Cleaner is naturally fragranced with essential oils and plant extracts, but the real star is the refreshing and herbaceous scent combinations. This cleaner is great for cutting through grease and grime and is a 98 percent bio-based product, which means it’s derived from organic and renewable resources and made without ammonia and parabens. Besides its effective cleaning power, it is also cruelty-free and the most affordable all-purpose cleaner with a biodegradable formula.
Available in a number of earthy scents, including Lavender & Bergamot and Lemon & Mint, Everspring’s selection of naturally scented all-purpose cleaners are a great choice for any room throughout the home.
Price at time of publish: $3
Type: Liquid | Size: 28 ounces | Scent: Lavender and bergamot, lemon and mint, citrus and basil
Best Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: AspenClean Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
What Stands Out
This natural, plant-based cleaner is also an effective disinfectant.
What Could Be Improved
This is one of the more expensive cleaners on our list.
When it comes to organic or natural cleaning products, AspenClean takes the cake for clean ingredients and eco-friendliness—in fact, it’s only one of six all-purpose cleaners verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This all-purpose cleaner is naturally fragranced with essential oils, made with plant-derived and biodegradable ingredients like aspen bark extract, and is 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free. Every bottle is also made with recyclable materials.
AspenClean’s natural all-purpose cleaner can be used on any washable surface and is just as efficient at removing dirt and grime compared to conventional all-purpose cleaners. The soothing Grapefruit & Lavender scent is gentle enough around pets and kids, yet aromatic enough to linger for that clean-home smell. It’s definitely more expensive than other cleaners, but its quality ingredients more than make up for it.
Price at time of publish: $10
Type: Liquid | Size: 22 ounces | Scent: Grapefruit, lavender
Best All-Purpose Cleaner for Bathrooms: Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist
What Stands Out
This all-purpose cleaner can tackle large surfaces with its powerful nozzle.
What Could Be Improved
This pick uses synthetic fragrance.
Mr. Clean’s Clean Freak Mist is a powerful multi-surface spray that stands out for its power nozzle, which offers large coverage and can be used to spray at any angle. This is particularly helpful for cleaning the bathroom and surfaces like sinks, tubs, and showers. This spray is also safe on aluminum, granite, marble, nickel, chrome, and even finished wood if wiped dry immediately after spraying.
While the Clean Freak Mist contains several ingredients (including synthetic fragrance) that can cause skin and eye irritation, when used properly and safely, it can leave surfaces sparkling clean with an uplifting and long-lasting scent. Depending on where you shop, this pick may even come with a large bottle of refill solution, so you can use the same spray bottle again and again and waste less plastic.
Price at time of publish: $30
Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Lemon
Related:The 4 Best Steam Cleaners, According to Our Testing
Best All-Purpose Cleaner for Kitchens: Lysol Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner
What Stands Out
This all-purpose cleaner can disinfect all your kitchen surfaces.
What Could Be Improved
This product has two sit for two minutes to completely disinfect.
Like Clorox, Lysol products are also recognized by the EPA for being able to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses, including salmonella and COVID-19. Lysol’s antibacterial cleaner is catered to kitchen messes and surfaces, thoroughly penetrating grime, grease, and dirt to leave nothing but a clean shine.
This cleaner is safe to use on non-porous surfaces and will work best on kitchen counters, cabinets, appliance exteriors, sinks, and stovetops. It can also fully sanitize and disinfect surfaces if they are pre-cleaned and the cleaner is applied for the recommended amount of time.
Price at time of publish: $4
Type: Liquid | Size: 22 ounces | Scent: Citrus
Related:The 8 Best Stovetop Cleaners for Removing Grease and Burnt-on Food
Best Scented All-Purpose Cleaner: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
What Stands Out
This plant-derived formula comes in unique, refreshing scents.
What Could Be Improved
It won’t disinfect your surfaces.
Mrs. Meyer’s beloved cleaners come in a wide selection of scents, but the lemon verbena option may be its most revitalizing and verdant scent and is perfect for cleaning any time of year. Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner is cruelty-free, 97 percent derived from plants, and free of harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates. Each bottle is also made with at least 30 percent post-consumer plastic.
Since this cleaner is safe to use on non-porous surfaces such as kitchen counters, walls, and floors, it's versatile and effective for any room of the house while leaving a garden-fresh aroma indoors.
Price at time of publish: $6
Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Lemon verbena, basil, bluebell, geranium, honeysuckle, and lavender
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Wipes: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
What Stands Out
These convenient wipes disinfect and sanitize your surfaces without bleach.
What Could Be Improved
They aren’t made with recyclable or sustainable materials.
Clorox disinfecting wipes offer an easy and convenient way to sanitize and disinfect most surfaces. These wipes are powerful enough to kill bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19, and are the best to use on tricky items and surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, cell phones, and keys. They are made without bleach and can be used on finished wood, sealed granite, stainless steel, and non-food-contact surfaces.
Since most wipes are made with synthetic fibers, they are not recyclable and therefore not sustainable or eco-friendly. If you absolutely prefer wipes to spray cleaners, though, Clorox’s disinfecting wipes are the most powerful and effective when it comes to fully cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Each container contains 75 wipes and is typically sold in packs of three, so they’re also very cost-effective compared to other cleaners.
Price at time of publish: $15
Type: Wipes | Size: 75 wipes per container | Scent: Citrus
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Paste: Everneat Soft Scrub
What Stands Out
This eco-friendly cleaner has a fresh smell from essential oils.
What Could Be Improved
It’s on the expensive side.
Using a therapeutic-grade blend of essential oils, Everneat specializes in natural yet effective cleaners that smell better than a spa scrub. Its all-purpose soft scrub is a non-scratch paste made with plant-based ingredients that work as a degreaser and soap scum remover. This paste is powerful enough to clean the oven, tile, grout, and even pots and pans, yet gentle enough on hands and safe to use around pets and children.
While this soft scrub might take a little elbow grease to clean particularly grimy surfaces, it is a great natural alternative to conventional all-purpose sprays or wipes. It’s free of dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals like parabens. Plus, all of Everneat’s products are cruelty-free and made in the U.S., and all of their containers and bottles are reusable and recyclable.
Price at time of publish: $19
Type: Paste | Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Spray: Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
What Stands Out
This spray can be used on just about any surface and has serious cleaning power.
What Could Be Improved
This cleaner has to be rinsed off after application.
All-purpose cleaner sprays can tackle large surfaces and messes, making them a versatile pick you want and need in your cleaning arsenal. And as far as spray goes, the Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is as impressive as it gets—it can tackle dirt, grease, and stains on countertops, carpets, floors, fabric, and even on outdoor equipment or cars.
You can dilute the formula for regular household cleaning or use it at full strength for particularly heavy-duty messes. Plus, it’s EPA Safer Choice certified, so the ingredients are safer for humans and the environment.
Price at time of publish: $5
Type: Liquid | Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Sassafras
Best Disinfectant All-Purpose Cleaner: Purell Multi-Surface Disinfectant Spray
What Stands Out
This disinfectant kills bacteria and viruses quickly and effectively.
What Could Be Improved
The scent is fairly light, so if you prefer a strong fragrance you might want to opt for another cleaner.
For anyone who’s mostly concerned with their all-purpose cleaner being able to thoroughly sanitize and disinfect surfaces, Purell’s Multi-Surface Disinfectant Spray is the best choice. This disinfectant spray rapidly kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses, no water rinse required.
It can be used on just about any surface, including food-contact surfaces and toys. Unlike other all-purpose sprays, it’s safe to use on sealed granite, glass, and laminate, among other hard and soft surfaces. It also earned the EPA’s lowest allowable toxicity rating, making it safe to use while disinfecting quickly and effectively. Plus, each bottle is pretty large at 28 ounces—and since it’s sold in packs of two, you can stock up and not have to worry about replacing it for quite a while.
Price at time of publish: $14
Type: Liquid | Size: 28 ounces | Scent: Citrus
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate: Branch Basics The Concentrate
What Stands Out
This long-lasting cleaner allows you to cut down on your plastic waste.
What Could Be Improved
It’s more expensive and needs to be diluted.
For those who prefer either a more diluted or concentrated cleaner, concentrates can be the best way to control the strength of an all-purpose cleaner and make it last a little longer than a conventional spray. By adding water to the Branch Basics concentrate in your own spray bottle, your all-purpose cleaner is ready to use on various surfaces including countertops, sinks, bathtubs, and even dishes.
Branch Basics products are plant and mineral-based, cruelty-free, and made without harmful preservatives or chemicals. With this concentrate, you might even be able to replace all your supplies and make the cleaning process much easier.
Price at time of publish: $55
Type: Liquid | Size: 33.8 ounces | Scent: Unscented
Related:The 12 Best Dish Soaps of 2023
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Kit: Force of Nature Multi-Purpose Cleaner Kit
What Stands Out
You can make your own cleaner with this DIY kit.
What Could Be Improved
The reusable spray bottle is fairly small.
It’s quite simple to formulate cleaning products at home using ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, but for something a little more powerful and sophisticated, the Force of Nature starter kit is the ultimate homemade all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, and deodorizer. Using an electrolyzer appliance and activator capsules containing salt, vinegar, and water, this kit quickly creates a powerful yet gentle all-purpose cleaner that is fragrance-free and tough on grime, grease, and soap scum.
This cleaner might also be the most versatile—it can be used on sealed stone (like granite, marble, and quartz), stainless steel, wood, glass, laminate, grout, porcelain, plastic, tile, rubber, and more. Without the use of dyes, preservatives, fragrances, and allergens, the Force of Nature starter kit is the best kit for families and those with sensitivities.
Price at time of publish: $80
Type: Liquid | Size: Makes five 12-ounce bottles | Scent: Unscented
Final Verdict
To fully clean, sanitize, and disinfect almost any surface, the Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner is the best and most effective choice for most homes, especially when it comes to killing bacteria and viruses. For a natural, plant-based cleaner and disinfectant, AspenClean’s Natural All-Purpose Cleaner is safe enough to use around pets, children, and those with sensitivities, while leaving behind a natural and light fragrance.
How to Shop for All-Purpose Cleaners Like a Pro
Type
While it may be in the name that an all-purpose cleaner can be used anywhere, any time, for any surface, not all are created equally. First, it’s important to decide if you want a cleaner, a sanitizer, a disinfectant, or a combination of all three. While those three terms are often conflated together, they are actually different (more about that below).
Next, decide where you are most likely to use this all-purpose cleaner (mostly in the kitchen, mostly in the bathroom, or anywhere in the home). Lastly, double-check the cleaner’s label to see if it can be used on certain surfaces, like marble countertops.
While most all-purpose cleaners are liquids that are sprayed onto surfaces, there are some other varieties. Wipes are a popular alternative due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness, but they’re undoubtedly wasteful compared to liquid cleaners. Pastes are another, less common option that is typically more natural (and more expensive) than liquid cleaners. While they require a bit of a learning curve, they’re a good choice for people who want to avoid plastic and harsh chemicals as much as possible.
Ingredients
As sustainability becomes a more prominent issue and a key factor in which to make certain purchases, the selection for natural and plant-based cleaning products grows exponentially. While chemical cleaners are the most effective in killing more bacteria, viruses, and germs, there are plenty of natural options that can get the cleaning job done too.
All-purpose cleaners may include natural ingredients such as essential oils, coco glucoside, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), decyl glucoside, and/or vinegar. Those with asthma, skin sensitivities, and allergies should avoid products with ammonia, bleach, synthetic fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and chlorine, among other ingredients.
Fragrance
Most all-purpose cleaners will contain some type of fragrance, whether it’s synthetic, naturally derived through essential oils, or a combination of both. Some natural cleaners might have a smaller amount of fragrance for a subtler scent, but if a scented all-purpose cleaner is not for you, it’s best to check the label for the “fragrance-free” stamp.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
When shopping for an all-purpose cleaner, you might find that different product labels have different functions: cleaning, sanitizing, and/or disinfecting. While these might all seem like the same or similar concepts, each is different, and understanding their meaning can help you determine which all-purpose cleaner is best for you and your home.
According to the EPA, cleaning involves removing organic matter (such as dirt) from surfaces using a soap or detergent; sanitizing means killing bacteria on surfaces using chemicals, but is not intended to kill viruses; disinfecting kills both viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.
When should you not use an all-purpose cleaner?
While all-purpose cleaners are safe for most surfaces, particularly those that are non-porous and sealed, some materials such as quartz, marble, and certain types of wood may not be able to withstand an all-purpose cleaner, even if it is natural or plant-based.
“If you have surfaces such as granite or marble, purchase a product made specifically for those materials to avoid doing damage over time,” says Vera Peterson, former president of Molly Maid. It’s best to use all-purpose cleaners on treated wood, porcelain, stainless steel, tile, laminate, plastic, and ceramic. All-purpose cleaners should never be used on fabric, including carpet, leather, and upholstery.
How often should you wipe down surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner?
While different all-purpose cleaners have different instructions on how often it should be used or how long it should be left on before wiping it, a good rule of thumb to follow is to use the solution a couple of times a day and leave it on the surface for a few minutes at a time, depending on the strength and surface.
“Spray the solution liberally all over the surface and let it sit for about five minutes, or as directed by the label,” says Sara San Angelo, professional housekeeper and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady. “This lets the ingredients soften up grime and grease so you don't have to scrub as hard, and you can spend time cleaning something else during this time.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours researching all-purpose cleaners and their ingredients. She also received tips on how to shop for all-purpose cleaners from Sara San Angelo, professional housekeeper and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady, and Vera Peterson, former president of Molly Maid.
Related:The 8 Best Glass Cleaners for Streak-Free Windows, Mirrors, and More
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