We all want to come home to a freshly cleaned house. But how many of us actually enjoy clean-up duties? Unless you’re in the minority, you want to finish your cleaning chores quickly and efficiently. And you certainly don’t want to be lugging around multiple cleaning products as you go from kitchen to bathroom to bedroom. You need an all-purpose cleaner.

That’s where the best all-purpose cleaner can come in. You don’t have to worry if the best all-purpose cleaner for a car’s interior is also the best bathroom cleaner. It’s all-purpose; it’ll handle any job, any dirt you can throw at it. 

Still unsure what cleaning product to buy? Don’t spend hours scouring the consumer reports for the best all-purpose cleaner — you’ve got messes to clean. Take a look at our picks for the best all-purpose cleaners we could find. We’ve got everything from antibacterial cleansers to natural cleaning products. We can’t guarantee that you’ll come to love scrubbing your house, but we do know that it’ll be sparkling clean when you’re finished. 

1. Seventh Generation Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner 26oz

Eliminate odors and kill household germs with this no-rinse-required, broad-spectrum disinfectant spray. This natural sanitizer is made with botanically pure plant extracts and essential oils that kill cold and flu viruses on hard, non-porous surfaces. Stay safe with its non-flammable, harsh chemical, and dye-free formulation. Just spray and forget.

$4.79

2. Mrs. Meyer's Honeysuckle Multi-Surface Cleaner 16oz

This quick and easy multi-surface spray removes stuck-on dirt from non-porous surfaces throughout the house and leaves a fresh, garden-inspired scent. Mrs. Meyer’s cleaner is made with essential oils and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients to keep it safe to use on floors, tiles, countertops, walls, and more. Its cruelty-free formula is never tested on animals, and you can reuse or recycle its spray bottle.

$4.29

3. Clorox Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes 9.1oz

Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wipes combine Clorox bleach's trusted disinfecting power with an uplifting scent that cleans, sanitizes, deodorizes, and freshens the home. These powerful surface disinfectant wipes work on non-porous, hard surfaces, including mirrors and glass, to dissolve grease and fight soap scum on contact. Convenient cleaning in one simple package.

$4.79

4. Method Ginger All Purpose Cleaner 28oz

Grease and grime don’t stand a chance with the power of the plant-based Method Ginger All-Purpose Cleaner. Its biodegradable formula uses potent yet gentle, non-toxic cleaning agents from corn and coconut. Each squirt packs a punch that cuts through the gunk on all your surfaces. The only thing left behind will be the pleasing scent of victory over dirt.

$4.99

5. Fabuloso Lavender All Purpose Cleaner 16.9oz

Fabuloso’s pH-neutral formula is perfect for any room or surface in your house. Drywall, linoleum, plastic, and even carpeting or upholstery are easily cleaned. Dust, soil, and even the greasiest grime don’t stand a chance against Fabuloso’s powerful cleaning agents. It doesn’t leave a residue, so all you’re left with is a pleasant, long-lasting lavender scent and a sparkling fresh house.

$3.99

6. Lysol Lemon Breeze All Purpose Spray 32oz

Who wants a clean house that smells of fresh-cut lemons? Get it with Lysol Lemon Breeze All-Purpose spray cleaner. It cuts through tough grease and soap scum on hard, non-porous surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of your home. Get peace of mind with a cleaner that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. You'll protect your family's health while giving your house a deep clean.

$5.99

7. Mr. Clean Meadows & Rain Febreze Multi-Purpose Cleaner 28oz

Tackle multiple cleaning jobs with Mr. Clean. Meadows & Rain multi-purpose cleaner cuts through 100% of dirt, grease, and grime, leaving only the light, fresh scent of Febreze in its dirt-forsaken place. Mr. Clean works hard on everything, from stainless steel faucets to glass stovetops and hardwood floors. It’ll leave your toilets, bathtubs, and even your garbage cans squeaky clean.

$5.29

8. Absolute Green Peppermint Multi-Purpose Cleaner 25oz

Invigorating and refreshing! This eco-friendly, 100% natural cleaner is made from a blend of powerful, all-natural cleansing ingredients, including pure essential oils. It naturally repels ants, mice, and spiders too. Its powerful cleansing action will deep clean your surfaces and leave your home smelling minty fresh. No gloves needed. Breathe in; it’s all good.

$9.79

9. Love Home and Planet Tea Tree & Vetiver Multipurpose Cleaner Spray 23oz

Clean your home naturally with Love Home and Planet’s environmentally-friendly cleanser loaded with powerful plant-based ingredients. Its cruelty-free, vegan botanical formula works hard to remove everyday dirt and germs. It’s dermatologist tested and pH neutral, so the only thing it’s harsh on is grime. Blended with tea tree oil and vetiver, this cleaner will make your house smell as good as it looks.

$5.29

10. Fantastik Disinfectant All-Purpose Cleaner Fresh Scent 32oz

You will never sweat again when you clean with Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaning Spray. Fantastik is a degreaser that powers through grime in no time while killing 99.99% of germs, bacteria, and viruses. It wipes out dirt on hard, non-porous surfaces without leaving a residue or harsh smell. A clean house? Now that's Fantastik.

$5.39

FAQ

Which cleaner is best for everyday cleaning?

Regular housekeeping requires an everyday cleaner that’s effective while being gentle on surfaces. For our money, Clorox Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes is the most practical option for dealing with small spills and messes. Just grab a disposable cloth, wipe and forget. 

If you’re looking for a natural disinfectant cleaner, try Seventh Generation Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner. Instead of using damaging chemicals, it uses botanical ingredients to cut through grease and sanitize surfaces. And its clean, uplifting scent helps refresh the whole house.

What’s the difference between a multi-purpose cleaner and an all-purpose cleaner?

The main difference between a multi-purpose and an all-purpose cleaner is the range of surfaces they can clean. Multi-purpose cleaners can clean many areas, but you can’t use them on everything. For example, if used on glass, it can leave streaks. 

The other difference is all-purpose cleaners are dilutable. You can use them at full strength for heavy-duty cleaning jobs or mix them with water for a gentler action, like when mopping your floors. Read the directions if you’re unsure if your cleaning solution is all-purpose or multi-purpose. 

What’s the most effective disinfectant?

Being more environmentally friendly is a priority for many people, and one of the easiest ways to be kinder to the planet is to use natural cleaners in your house. In fact, one of the most eco-friendly solutions is to mix vinegar with water for a DIY all-purpose cleaner. It’s great at cutting grease and will get your windows sparkling clean, but it’s not an effective disinfecting agent.

As great as it is, vinegar isn’t an EPA sanctioned disinfectant. When you’re looking to purchase a cleaning product to sanitize surfaces against germs and viruses, you need a cleaner that includes alcohol (either isopropyl or ethyl alcohol), quaternary ammonium compounds, bleach (sodium hypochlorite), or hydrogen peroxide. These are effective cleaners and, according to EPA studies, can kill up to 99% of germs. 

Don’t despair if you can’t find a cleaner with one of these ingredients. Washing high-touch surfaces regularly with simple soap and water can remove up to 97% of germs and viruses.