The Best All-Purpose Cleaners for Tidying Up Your Kitchen, Bathroom, and More (2024)

Our Top Picks

Our top all-purpose spray is none other than Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner. It’s been a fan favorite for years—and for good reason. This cleaner has powerful cleaning properties and is perfect for use all over the house, whether you’re tackling your kitchen cabinets, bathroom counter, or bedroom mirror.

Many of our survey respondents found that Mrs. Meyer’s not only gets rid of grime and dirt, but it also leaves a subtle shine on surfaces. The formula also promises to be cruelty-free, biodegradable, and plant-based, as well as Leaping Bunny certified—all positives if you prefer to shop with sustainability in mind.

Available in iconic Mrs. Meyer’s scents such as lemon verbena, lavender, peony, basil, and orange clove, you’ll also be pleased at the results if you value a cleaning spray that makes your house smell great. We’ve opted to highlight the spray, but a concentrate is available, too.

Made from gentle, planet-friendly ingredients, Clorox Compostable Cleaning Wipes make cleaning easier and more efficient. Each pre-saturated wipe can be pulled from the handy, resealable container that keeps them fresh and moist, so you can pick up your mess in just a few seconds.

These wipes can also be composted, so you don’t have to sweat their single-use design. They’re made from plant-based fibers and are EPA Safer Choice certified, too, meaning that they’re a better option for people and the planet. (Just note: if you use them on non-compostable messes, you will have to dispose of them in your normal trash.)

Ideal for on-the-go usage, these wipes can be used basically anywhere, anytime. However, some users note that the dispensing system could be easier to use; the wipes often get stuck, or more come out than needed and can’t be put back in. (Parents of younger children who deal with wipes on a daily basis will find this to be a familiar experience.) Clorox isn’t the only brand that’s been known to have this happen, though, and the wipes still deliver cleaner surfaces.

Kitchen cleaners should be able to cut through grease and any food spills and splashes, which is exactly what Formula 409 Multi-Surface Cleaner does. Our survey respondents found that it is among the few all-purpose cleaners that can easily clean grease after cooking, and with disinfectant ingredients that can kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria left behind from preparing foods on your countertops.

To disinfect surfaces, it’s recommended to spray the product and let it sit for 10 minutes (while cleaning and deodorizing will take far less time, around 30 seconds).After applying it and letting it sit, you'll want to rinse and wipe your surfaces with plenty of water before going about your daily tasks—especially if you're using the cleaner where you prepare food. (Use details are listed on the back of the bottle and should be followed.)

The spray does have a strong chemical smell, and the formula is on the acidic side of the pH scale due to ammonium chloride being one of the main ingredients. Make sure to only use it on its intended surfaces, including non-porous surfaces, in case of damage.

Sometimes, the best way to know that your surfaces are clean is by being able to smell them. For a fresh and bright scent that’s not too overpowering, we recommend the Mr. Clean Clean Freak Multi-Surface Spray. If the yellow bottle doesn’t give it away, this cleaner has a lovely lemon scent that our survey respondents were fond of.

Along with the pleasant scent, Mr. Clean is a powerful all-purpose spray that cuts through grease and removes dirt and grime. It also works without leaving a residue behind, something that many of our respondents value in an all-purpose cleaner. You can use it on backsplashes, shower tiles, glass stovetops, stainless steel, and much more.

The Method All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes not only work great at cleaning most surfaces, they’re also a planet-friendly, plant-based choice. Like the Clorox Compostable Cleaning Wipes, you’ll find no harsh ingredients, and the wipes are safe to use around kids and pets. In fact, the product listing suggests using them on high chairs or pet beds.

Our survey respondents love the scents available—pink grapefruit, in particular—but we do wish you got more bang for your buck. At around $9 for 70 wipes, they’re on the pricier side. Method does offer its all-purpose cleaner in a spray form, however, so if that’s your preference (or if you tend to keep both on hand like we do!) you’re covered by the brand’s options.

If a cleaner with disinfecting power is important to you, we recommend Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner. It can kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses—including COVID-19—making it a great option for your food preparation surfaces, bathrooms, and other locations that may be more susceptible to germs.

However, without the addition of bleach in the formula, it is still gentle enough for everyday cleaning all around the home. It can safely be used on multiple hard, non-porous surfaces, like kitchen sinks, tubs, floors, and tiles. Like with other disinfectants, including the Formula 409 Multi-Surface Cleaner, you will just want to thoroughly rinse your surfaces after applying it with water, especially if you're applying the cleaner to a food prep area. Use instructions are on the bottle.

There is only one scent available, crisp lemon, which leaves a citrus scent behind. Like some other products on this list, the smell may be too strong for some. Our survey respondents noted that the bottle and spray nozzle can be a little finicky, too, so be aware that you may experience some leaks. Definitely keep the product stored upright (or funnel it into your spray bottle of choice).

To round out our list of the best all-purpose cleaners, we wanted to give an honorable mention to Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner Spray. The spray, which is available in two fresh scents, has a unique formula that allows it to be used as both a concentrate or a ready-to-use spray. For heavy stains and messes, use it as is to get a full-strength clean, or dilute the spray with water when using it for everyday cleaning.

Like Clorox Compostable Cleaning Wipes, our pick for the best overall wipes, this formula is recognized by the EPA's Safer Choice program as an environmentally safer product. The spray is available in lemon or sassafras scents, and some survey respondents said it was a little too strong for their liking (but it can be weakened if and when you dilute the formula).

Final Verdict

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