Top 15 Best All-Purpose Cleaner Reviews 2024
Do you need just one household cleaner to vanquish the tough kitchen stains plus all the grease and dirt, soap scum and other scourges in the bathroom? Is it possible for just one product to clean the mineral deposits left by that hard water?
In order to get to understand how all these work, I applied my personal measuring methods and selected 15 top all-purpose cleaners to see what they can do. For those who want to use something even easier to clean with, I have also included some cleaning wipes.
I made sure to conduct some tests, and see how they work overnight, on the heaviest types of dirt in the kitchen or in the bathroom.
But before that, let me tell you exactly the topic of the day, which is, as the title suggests all-purpose cleaners. So, everyone needs them and everyone expects to find a great heck about them.
However, you should know that it’s all about chemistry. Therefore, always read the ingredients. Until that point, let’s find out the most important information about the top all-purpose cleaners and how you can use them wisely.
Who Should Purchase an All-Purpose Cleaner?
If you don’t know yet what it does, the name of this product says it all. Therefore, the all-purpose cleaners will be good for any type of mess and will crop up all the dirt.
Sometimes called “multi-purpose” by their companies, these products are good for a wide range of cleaning purposes, such as walls, sinks, floors, oven doors, cabinets, doors, even the windows or the glass from your shower.
If you have a mirror that drives you crazy, try to use an all-purpose cleaner and see the magic.
Like many other products on the market, these ones also have some downsides. As such, although the producers will tell you they work for everything, sometimes, these cleaners are not that great.
This is why you should focus on some important aspects.
Don’t worry! I will explain the exact process of selecting the perfect model in the buying guide.
Should I Use Only Cne Cleaner Instead of Different Products?
As their name says, the all-purpose cleaners are best for about everything in your house. Therefore, grab them while cleaning the kitchen, the windows, even when you tide up the bathroom.
What I noticed to work, and I will share my finding with you, is when cleaning the kitchen, it really helps if you clean the surfaces in an S-pattern. This way, you will easily wipe away the dirt. The reason for this is that if you clean in circles, you will redistribute the dust exactly where you have already cleaned.
Also, make sure you spray the cleaner on the rag, not on the surface you are cleaning. This way, you won’t create buildup on the surfaces you want to clean.
Which Are The Best All Purpose Cleaner?
The best way to find out about the secrets behind your future cleaning products is the reviews from the present customers. Here are some testimonials on the top all-purpose cleaners I have presented today.
- Best Overall – Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
“Used it both manually and also in the carpet cleaning machine. It works amazing!” - Best Deal – Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
“It left no grease behind. It really cleans 100% of the dirt.” - Best for Deep Cleaning – Mr. Clean Freak All-Purpose Cleaner
“Cuts out the dirt right away. It can also be used on treated wood.” - Best Virus Killer – PURELL Multi Surface All-Purpose Cleaner
“I’m always sure that there are no bacteria on the food table.” - Best Wipes – Lysol Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner
“I love the wipes because it is the fastest way to clean.” - Best for Families with Children – Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner
“I am sure that my kids will be safe while cleaning with this product.” - Made from Biodegradable Ingredients – Method All-Purpose Cleaner
“Made of natural ingredients, this product cannot harm your health.” - Best for Laundry and Dishes – Powerizer All-Purpose Cleaner
“Used also on textiles and couches. Works so well.”
Comparison Chart 2022
Before talking in depth about each of the 15 selected all-purpose cleaners, let’s have an overview of the main differences between them. Based on the best all-purpose cleaner consumer reports, down below, you will find some highlighted characteristics that are very important in the process of purchasing.
Best All-Purpose Cleaner Reviews 2022
1. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Overall)
This all-purpose concentrated cleaner has gained the first place in our top due to its wide versatility. As such, from all cleaning products, this works great for removing the stains, dirt, grease, as well as the floors and vehicles.
For each surface, this cleaner comes with instructions, so you will know how to use it properly.
Pros
- Safe, with an orally non-toxic formula;
- Cleans the floors, carpets, equipment, and vehicles;
- Can be used manually or added in-floor scrubbers, pressure washers, or just as an all-purpose cleaning solution in parts washers;
- Full strength in cleaning heavy messes.
Cons
- Needs to be diluted for daily cleaning.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 10.8 x 5.2 x 12 inches |
Weight | 4.5 pounds |
Capacity | 2 * 67.6 oz. & 1 *32 oz |
Type | Spray & Solution |
For | Indoor & outdoor |
Purpose | Dirt, grease and stains |
Recommended for | Counters, carpet, floors, equipment, fabric,and vehicles |
Personal Experience
This all-purpose cleaner target is wide and reaches even on the heaviest messes, so in my opinion it is one of the best 2022 has to offer.
See how good it works in this video below.
2. Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
(Best Deal)
Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner was one of the best all-purpose cleaners in 2018, and it maintained its place until nowadays. This is one of the best natural all-purpose cleaner.
This means that it is going to cut through 100% of dirt, grime, and grease in just seconds. You can safely use it on everything, from linoleum, finished hardwood floors, as well as bathtubs and garbage cans.
Don’t worry even about the outdoor cleaning jobs, as this all-purpose cleaner Mr. Clean will also deal with stoves, exterior doors and many more.
Pros
- Great for indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs;
- Cuts 100% even the dirt, grime, and grease;
- Perfect for cleaning the counters, stoves, and sinks;
- Cleans and freshens the home at once;
- Leaves a light, fresh scent;
- Good price for the value.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a spray.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 10 x 4.9 x 2.9 inches |
Capacity | 40 oz. |
Type | Solution |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Dirt, grease and grime |
Smell | Febreze |
Recommended for | Sinks, counters, stoves, linoleum, tile, finished hardwood floors, toilets, bathtubs, and garbage cans |
Personal Experience
As the logo presents, the Mr. Clean Multi-Surface cleaner cleans perfectly the dirt and eliminates the hardest grime, while leaving a light, pleasant scent of Febreze as you go.
The fresh perfume will remain hours after finishing the cleaning work. You can easily eliminate the unpleasant odors from the toilets, bathtubs and tile floors.
3. Mr. Clean Freak All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best for Deep Cleaning)
There is a trend of all-purpose cleaner DIY, but if you are not that kind of person, I suggest you to look at the Mr. Clean Freak cleaner. This product has three times the cleaning power versus the leading APC bleach spray when it comes to the kitchen grease.
So, what does that actually mean? It means that this is, in my opinion, the best kitchen cleaner for grease you can find.
Pros
- Three times stronger formula than other cleaners;
- The cleaning mist activates immediately in the contact with dirt;
- Just need to pull the trigger for medium, short or pump for continuous bursts;
- Easy to switch the power nozzle for refilling the bottles;
- The package comes with a refill;
- Nice scent of lemon;
- Best sprayer mechanism.
Cons
- Need to buy the refill at this price.
Product specifications
Weight | 2.4 pounds |
Capacity | 16 oz & refill bottle |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Dirt, grease and stains |
Smell | Lemon Zest |
Recommended for | Countertops, bathtubs, stainless steel |
Personal Experience
The product works nicely on different surfaces, and the sprayer mechanism is one of the best ones tried yet. When you need to refill the bottle, the whole process is very simple and easy to switch.
Ready to see how it works? Here you can watch its performance.
4. PURELL Multi Surface All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Virus Killer)
This Purell Multi-Surface Cleaner is going to kill 99.9 percent of all the germs on every surface, including even the flu viruses and the cold ones.
If you have pets or children and want to know them safe, then this Purell Multi-Surface is going to kill 99.9 percent of Norovirus, Strep, MRSA, within 30 seconds rapid kill time.
Pros
- Kills multiple types of germs and viruses;
- Uses no harsh chemicals;
- Doesn’t need rinsing on contact with food surfaces;
- Proven to be effective across most of the hard and soft surfaces;
- Work on glass, laminate, plastics and sealed granite;
- Awarded the U.S. EPA Design for environment certification;
- Ideal for food prep surfaces;
- Sanitize soft surfaces.
Cons
- Need to wipe off after use.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 9.063 X 4.69 inches |
Weight | 1.75 pounds |
Capacity | 2 * 28 oz. |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Kills Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Strep, and MRSA |
Recommended for | Glass, sealed granite, laminate, and plastics |
Personal Experience
If you have children, this will be your best friend in sanitizing all the surfaces. You can use it on food preparation surfaces, children’s car seats, toys or the home appliances. There will be no harsh chemicals and you won’t need to rinse everything with water afterward.
5. Clorox Scentiva Multi-Surface Cleaner
(Best Smell)
Whether you are looking for an all-purpose cleaner for cars or just a cleaner to eliminate all the bacteria in your house, I suggest you give this Clorox Scentiva Multi-Surface Cleaner a try.
First of all, it can eliminate and kill 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses all around the house. Secondly, it will leave a nice Pacific Breeze and Coconut scent everywhere you use it.
I know that I already said, 99.9% of bacteria, but I want to underline that it is effective even against Salmonella, E. Coli, MRSA or Strep.
Pros
- Cleans and add shine to the surfaces;
- Removes soap scum, grime, and dirt in just second;
- Can be used on multiple surfaces, such as sinks, appliances, kitchen countertops and many more;
- Use for daily office cleaning;
- Add a lot of sparkles and a nice, fresh scent.
Cons
- You can use the wet wipes to have the same fresh smell.
Product specifications
Weight | 4.6 pounds |
Capacity | 32 oz. |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Soap scum, dirt and grime |
Smell | Pacific Breeze and Coconut |
Recommended for | Garbage cans, sinks, kitchen counters, and appliances |
Personal Experience
This product is perfect as an all-purpose cleaner to disinfect everything in the house, from kitchen tables to the surface of your office.
Moreover, its formula is bleach-free, so in case you have allergies or asthma, don’t worry about a possible harsh chemical smell. The Clorox Scentiva is a cleaning spray that powers through tough grease and soap scum, in order to provide a great multi-surface cleaner.
6. Lysol Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Wipes)
One of the easiest methods of cleaning any surface is using a wet wipe. The Lysol All-Purpose wipes are way stronger than any competition, and these results are all based on lab results.
The Unique Micro-Pocket Pattern of the all-purpose cleaner Lysol wipes is ideal to quickly trap and lift the everyday messes. Every house has allergens, but the Lysol wipes are promising to disinfect while allowing the surface to air dry.
Pros
- Disinfects and kills most of the bacteria and viruses in the house;
- Sanitizes and allow the surface to remain wet;
- Safe to use on electronics, smartphones, tablets or remote controls;
- Make the cleaning easier;
- Ideal for furniture and floors.
Cons
- You might use more wet wipes than a regular all-purpose cleaner.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 4.1 x 16.5 x 8.5 inches |
Weight | 5.5 pounds |
Capacity | 80 pieces |
Type | Wipes |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Sanitize & disinfect |
Smell | Lemon & lime |
Recommended for | Smartphones, Tablets & Remote Controls |
Personal Experience
Instead of using a classic all-purpose cleaner, it is faster and easier to clean all the surfaces with some wet wipes. You don’t need to rinse anything, and the surfaces remain stainless.
If you have lots of electronics in the house, this might be the best solution to disinfect them, without any fluids that can damage them.
7. Clorox Clean-Up All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best for Cars)
Looking for the best all-purpose cleaner for cars? Have a glimpse over this amazing Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner. More than a simple cleaner for cars, this one is going to disinfect everything and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. Moreover, it comes with an S.O.S sponge, so you have all the tools to start cleaning.
Pros
- You have everything you need in just one package;
- The smart tube technology ensures you will spray every drop;
- No more tilting and transferring;
- Specially designed to clean and disinfect;
- Kills the germs, viruses, and bacteria;
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor appliances.
Cons
- You need to buy 2 bottles once.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 7.2 x 5.2 x 8.7 inches |
Weight | 4.9 pounds |
Capacity | 2 * 32 oz. & 4 * sponges |
Type | Spray & Sponges |
For | Indoor & outdoor |
Purpose | Soap scum, dirt and grime |
Bleach | Yes |
Recommended for | Indoor appliances & outdoor furniture |
Personal Experience
I loved the fact that this product comes with a strong sponge. The S.O.S scrubbing sponge is durable enough for you to use it daily and at the same time, it is soft enough to be perfect for delicate surfaces too. Moreover, it has an easy-to-hold shape, which allows you to reach even the hard-to-reach crevices.
8. Shadazzle All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best for Polish)
It doesn’t matter if you have to clean a metal, the glass shower doors, even the car wheels. This Shadazzle All-Purpose Cleaner will do a great job.
This natural all-purpose cleaner is made of eco ingredients, such as soap, vegetable oil, lemon fragrance, and clay. Don’t worry about harmful chemicals or phosphates, as there is none in this cleaner.
Pros
- Cleans, polishes and protects in just one step;
- You can use it on any kind of surface;
- Includes a sponge, for getting more foam;
- It is ecological and economical;
- Leaves no streaks or marks.
Cons
- It can get dirty very quickly.
Product specifications
Weight | 10.6 ounces |
Type | Sponge |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Clean, polish and protect |
Smell | Lemon |
Recommended for | Any kind of metal, porcelain, ceramics, marble, wood |
Personal Experience
If you need a very quick way to clean your tables, the spaces in your house, even your shoes, then you need this Shadazzle Cleaner. It works great on metals, ceramics, porcelain, wood, even textiles. You just need to wet the sponge, rub it on the product and make it foam.
9. Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best for Families with Children)
One of the best products out there, Better Life won’t disappoint any customer. Especially if you have children, you would very enjoy this 100% plant-derived cleaning agent, that has a nice flavor of coconut and corn. It does an amazing job of cutting all the grease and grime on many surfaces. It is also very effective in toilets and countertops, as well as on walls, floors, tables or showers.
Pros
- Contains no alcohol;
- No petroleum solvents;
- No parabens;
- No dyes
- It is cruelty-free and very gentle with nature;
- Made of natural ingredients.
Cons
- It doesn’t contain alcohol, so it might leave marks.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 3.4 x 3.4 x 10 inches |
Weight | 4 pounds |
Capacity | 2 * 32 oz. |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Grease and grime removal |
Parabens | No |
Recommended for | Toilets, countertops, appliances, baseboards, upholstery, tables, walls, floors, showers, cars, sporting equipment, boats, toys |
Personal Experience
I loved the fact that this product is 100% plant-based, meaning it doesn’t contain any chemicals or substances that might harm your health. It can clean from the peanut butter marks to bacon grease, toothpaste, as well as coffee spills on the textiles of your house.
10. Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Dirt Removal)
All the dirt in the house has now the worst enemy. Very quick and easy to use this multi-surface spray is going to remove all the dirt from many kinds of surfaces. The garden-fresh lemon scent will leave a nice perfume after cleaning the house. It is very safe to use, on countertops, walls, floors, or the kitchen messes.
Pros
- A very quick and easy formula;
- Safe to use on multiple types of floors;
- Cruelty-free cleaner;
- No product was tested on animals;
- Multi-purpose cleaning ingredients;
- Nice scents;
- Biodegradable product.
Cons
- Comes only in a pack of 3.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 8.6 x 3.2 x 11.4 inches |
Weight | 4 pounds |
Capacity | 3 * 16 oz. |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Clean, refresh, and remove odors |
Smell | Garden fresh lemon |
Recommended for | Floor, tiles, countertops and walls |
Personal experience
This cleaning spray is great on any non-porous surface, such as wood, tile floors, walls, porcelain, even the sealed natural and synthetic stone, and many other surfaces. If you are looking for a cruelty-free product, then make sure you have this product in your house.
11. Bar Keepers Friend All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Powder)
The Bar Keeper powdered cleanser is still using the original 1882 formula, which delivers premium cleaning for any kind of stain and dirty surfaces. A bleach-free product, this cleanser is perfect for a stainless steel cleaning process. Its great ingredients will remove the rust, mineral deposits, tough stains, and other dirt you have in your house.
Pros
- New look, same premium formula;
- Perfect for most tough stains from any kind of surfaces;
- Perfect for kitchen, bathrooms and outdoors;
- Works great for porcelain, stainless steel, copper alloys, brass, bronze, chrome, and aluminum.
Cons
- The package is not very usage-friendly.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 2.8 x 2.8 x 5.8 inches |
Weight | 12 ounces |
Capacity | 12 oz. |
Type | Powder |
For | Indoor & outdoor |
Purpose | Cleanse and Polish, removes rust, mineral deposits, tarnish, and tough stains |
Bleach | No |
Recommended for | Sinks, cookware, stove cooktops, countertops, drained floors, faucets, bathtubs, and showers, grills, boats. |
Personal Experience
This all-purpose cleaner is trusted by many homeowners, therefore, this Bar Keepers Cleaner is very popular as a bleach-free home cleaning product. Its formula is gentle enough not to scratch the surfaces, but still has an industrial strength to safely and quickly clean.
Make yourself sure about everything from above by watching this video.
12. Method All-Purpose Cleaner
(Made from Biodegradable Ingredients)
This Method All-Purpose Cleaner is going to clean all the grease and grime. With a non-toxic formula, this cleaner is all naturally derived, made of biodegradable ingredients. Therefore, Method breaks down the dirt all naturally, while the spray leaves a nice breeze behind.
Pros
- Naturally derived;
- Nontoxic;
- Cutting edge green chemistry;
- Biodegradable ingredients;
- Cleans best the nonporous surfaces;
- Leaves the house in a gleaming clean;
- No chemicals included.
Cons
- Very small package.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 10 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches |
Capacity | 28. oz |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Cleans dirt |
Smell | Fresh scent |
Recommended for | Counters, tile, wood, stone, and glass |
Personal Experience
Those who are looking for a non-toxic formula to clean their surfaces, this Method cleaner is what they need. Grease and grime won’t have any chance when they meet this formula. The cleaner will break down the dirt in a very natural way while leaving behind a nice scent of coconut.
13. Powerizer All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best for Laundry and Dishes)
Powerizer is an all-in-one cleaner and also detergent that is perfect for cleaning lots of surfaces, including dishes, carpets, laundry, as well as other parts in your home. You just need one small scoop for a great result.
Use it on dryer sheets, as a dish detergent, as well as a toilet and shower cleaner. Powerizer helps you protect the environment, as well as conserving money.
Pros
- Free of heavy perfumes;
- Made of all-natural biodegradable ingredients;
- Septic safe;
- All-in-one;
- No dyes and no filters;
- Moneywise;
- Cleans and softens the laundry.
Cons
- The package.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 7.5 x 11 x 4 inches |
Weight | 3 pounds |
Capacity | 3 lbs |
Type | Powder |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Cleans |
Biodegradable | Yes |
Recommended for | Kitchen, bathroom, dishes and laundry |
Personal experience
Powerizer is not only great for cleaning the surfaces, but also for washing the laundry, dishes or carpets. Moreover, this product is free of heavy perfumes and many other damaging additives. A great amount of product will help you reduce the monthly spend.
Interested in this product? Maybe this video will tell you more.
14. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Scrubber)
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is the best scrubber on our list, maybe twice better than other products. Tough on dirt, this all-purpose cleaner is perfect as a wall cleaner, bathtub cleaner, and erases the marks on doors and light switches.
Pros
- Tough on dirt;
- No harsh chemicals included;
- Available in extra durable, original forms and kitchen;
- Powerful cleaning with water alone.
Cons
- Can be used only 9 times.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 7.3 x 7.9 x 5 inches |
Weight | 0.64 ounces |
Type | Scrubber |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Cleans |
Bleach | No |
Recommended for | Surface, wall, bathtub and oven door cleaner |
Personal experience
The Magic Eraser is perfect even for removing the marker and crayon stains, as well as cleaning the bruised baseboards. It doesn’t matter what you want to clean, from the bathtub to light switch cleaner, to doors, and floors.
15. Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner
(Best Scrubber)
The multi-surface cleaner from Seventh Generation is going to kill 99.99 percent of all bacteria and viruses. You don’t need to rinse the solution, even if you will be cleaning the food table. The cleaner will eliminate the odors and will work as a botanical disinfectant, due to the Thymol ingredient.
Pros
- Works perfectly on non-porous surfaces;
- Leaves a nice, clean and fresh scent of lemongrass;
- No rinse needed;
- Made with essential oils and botanical extracts.
Cons
- For quartz or granite, you should test it first on a small surface.
Product specifications
Product Dimensions | 10.6 x 4.4 x 2.4 inches |
Capacity | 26 oz |
Type | Spray |
For | Indoor |
Purpose | Clean, refresh, and remove odors |
Smell | Lemongrass and thyme scent |
Recommended for | Floor, tiles, countertops, toys and walls |
Personal experience
If you enjoy a nice smelling after a very good cleaning product, you should focus on the Seventh Generation. It kills most of the bacteria in the house while leaving a nice smell behind.
Here is a satisfying video to watch about this product.
Buying Guide – How to Select the Top All-Purpose Cleaners?
There are lots of types of multi-purpose cleaners on the market, as such, there are quality differences between them. Here is how you can identify the top ones and select the one that suits you best:
Value: don’t look only at the price. A product that is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it is also the best one. First of all, check the features which suit you. This way, you will determine if that cleaner is something to pay for.
It is a pity to waste money and effort on cleaning for a long time.
Safety: this factor determines if you will need to visit the doctor or not after using the cleaner. When buying this type of product, make sure that this cleaner does not contain some harmful ingredients to your health.
Versatility: the more surfaces you can clean, the better it will be for you and for your budget. Otherwise, it will be a very bad investment to buy an “all-purpose” cleaner that you can use only on specific surfaces.
Tips for Using the Multi-Purpose Cleaning Agents
If you want to reach the best results from the cleaner you choose, then you need to use it wisely. Some products are really toxic, and as long as you don’t read the ingredients, they might also be corrosive. Here are some steps for you to follow:
- Read the instructions properly; before you use any upholstery cleaner, make sure you read the label or the paperwork it comes with. Make sure you can use on furniture or the material you are going to wipe. For instance, some furniture will require only water-based cleaner, while some don’t.
- Use the exact required amount at a time
- Clean on stipulated surfaces
- Do not use on a rug, unless the producer says so
- Keep out of your children or pets
- Use gloves if there are chemicals included
FAQ
Finishing Touch
There are lots of multi-purpose cleaners when you go into the supermarket or just look for them on the internet. Each of them has its peculiar features, but also some downsides.
I hope that the above tips helped you in making an idea about how to select the proper ones and make a wise purchase.
Until next time, you can let me know about the best all-purpose cleaner you have used so far right in the comments below.
Kevin Jones
Home Cleaning Specialist
Expertise: In-depth Knowledge of Cleaning Agents and Their Uses, Advanced Home Sanitization, Techniques Expertise in Cleaning and Maintaining, Various Floor Types, Innovations in Home Cleaning Tools
School: American College of Home Economics
Kevin Jones is a seasoned home cleaning specialist with over a decade of experience in the industry. A stickler for cleanliness and organization, Kevin brings a systematic and innovative approach to home maintenance. His expertise ranges from traditional methods to modern cleaning technology, ensuring homes are not just clean but healthy environments too.