The 5 Best All Purpose Cleaners of 2023

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All-purpose cleaners are formulated to remove all kinds of messes and stains, and are typically easy to use and come in a spray, wipe, or gel form. We researched the best all-purpose cleaners on the market, evaluating their effectiveness, ease of use, versatility, and overall value.

Our top pick is the Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist, which can tackle just about any surface—we’re talking everything from counters, cabinets, tables, and appliances to sinks, tubs, and toilets.

Here, the best all-purpose cleaners to keep your home in tiptop shape.

Best Overall: Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist

What We Like Power nozzle offers more control over spray amount Antibacterial and disinfecting formula Formula can be repurchased without nozzle Certified as a Safer Choice product by the EPA

What We Don’t Like Not best for porous surfaces Not safe for contact with food surfaces

Mr. Clean’s Clean Freak spray is our number one pick because it’s a multi-purpose solution available in a handy spray bottle that can be used everywhere from your kitchen to your bathroom. The spray is designed to coat your surfaces in an even mist from any angle. Smudges on the wall? Splatters on the ceiling? Those are no problem for Mr. Clean Clean Freak. To use this spray, you can use a short pull on the handle to spray the product in small bursts. Use a long pull on the handle for a medium amount of product, or pump the handle for a continuous mist.

This cleaner meets EPA safety standards as a Safer Choice certified product, which means it uses ingredients that are safe for human health and the environment. This cleaner powers through grease, grime, dirt, dust, and even tough, sticky residues. You can use it all over your kitchen, including on your appliances, anywhere in your bathroom, and on almost every other hard surface in your home. Not only that, but it also leaves a light lavender or lemon zest scent in its wake.

While this cleaner is fit for stainless steel, it is not considered safe for food-contact surfaces. We recommend either rinsing those surfaces before putting food on them and after using this cleaner, or choosing a different cleaner for those spots in your home. Overall, we think this product is a great option for any who’s looking for a cleaner that can truly clean anything and leave a streak-free finish and pleasant scent.

Best Disinfectant: Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

What We Like Eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria germs Can be used concentrated or diluted with water Cost effective

What We Don’t Like No spray trigger or application tool provided Not safe for contact with food surfaces

This 48-ounce bottle of Lysol Clean & Fresh, when applied to hard surfaces, kills 99.9 percent of germs in a minute flat. It also cuts through grease, eliminates soap scum, and dissolves liquid messes throughout your home. You can use this formula at full strength to eliminate soap scum and grease stains, but it should be diluted (according to the bottle instructions) for other tasks like general cleaning and sanitizing.

This formula is best for non-porous materials, like acrylic, quartz, brass, stainless steel, glass, and glazed tile. Like many other all-purpose cleaners, you’ll need to rinse any food-exposed materials with water if you use this product to sanitize or disinfect them. Although we love the multipurpose design of this formula, we wish the bottle had a spray trigger or application tool to make clean

Best Scent: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner

What We Like Cruelty-, phthalate-, dye- and paraben-free Safe to use on a variety of surfaces Variety of scents available

What We Don’t Like Should be kept out of reach of pets and kids

Sometimes, your home doesn’t feel totally clean unless it smells clean. Besides eliminating messes, spills, stains, and odor-causing residues, Mrs. Meyer’s Everyday Cleaner graces your space with a pleasant yet not overpowering scent. This natural, eco-friendly cleaner comes in all of the brand’s signature scents, including lemon verbena, lavender, peony, basil, and orange clove.

It can be used in your kitchen, dining room, bathroom, living room, and home office on a variety of surfaces. We love this cleaner’s clean formula, however we wish it was safer to use around pets and kids. The product description does note to keep it out of your little one’s reach. The convenient spray bottle makes it easy to quickly clean your kitchen’s or bathroom’s countertops. You can also purchase separate refill bags of their cleaning formulas.

Best with Bleach: Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach Original

What We Like Effective at killing viruses on non-porous surfaces Non-abrasive Smart Tube bottle ensures all product is used

What We Don’t Like Can not be used with other cleaning solutions

When it comes to bathroom cleaners, your best bet is something that simultaneously cleans surfaces and eliminates germs, like Clorox Clean-Up. This all-purpose solution penetrates hard water stains, soap scum, limescale, product residues, and other buildup while killing 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses. On top of that, it’s also a great all-purpose cleaner to have during cold and flu season, as it kills SARS-CoV-2 on hard, non-porous surfaces. We recommend using gloves to protect your hands when spraying this product. You should also use it in a well-ventilated area.

This cleaner can be used in other areas of your home, too, including kitchen appliances, countertops, and outdoor furniture. The non-abrasive formula will leave your countertops shiny and free of germs, plus the spray bottle is designed with Smart Tube technology, which ensures you can spray every last drop of product without having to tip the bottle. Just be careful not to use this cleaner in the same area you use vinegar or ammonia to clean, as those combinations can create dangerous chemical reactions.