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Nov 02, 2024

The Best All-Purpose Cleaners, According to a Professional Cleaner

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shop these versatile formulas that are a must-have in your cleaning arsenal. Sementsova Lesia/Getty Images Not everyone has the space to

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Shop these versatile formulas that are a must-have in your cleaning arsenal.

Sementsova Lesia/Getty Images

Not everyone has the space to store dozens of different cleaning solutions beneath their sink—and you don't necessarily need them. After all, Martha Stewart herself loves DIY cleaning solutions that utilize simple household ingredients. Another way to pare down your collection of cleaning supplies is to invest in a top-notch all-purpose cleaner.

These ultra-versatile cleaning solutions are meant for a slew of surfaces around your home, making them a go-to for whenever messes arise. Cleaning and laundry expert Lori Williamson particularly loves them for simplifying her cleaning routine. While they may not be suited to cleaning more delicate or porous materials—such as granite countertops or wood—their high functionality makes an all-purpose cleaner a must-have.

But what if you don't already have a favorite formula? Well, that's where we step in. Below, see six all-purpose cleaners deserving of a coveted spot in your cleaning collection.

Lori Williamson, cleaning and laundry expert and home renovator of @nowitsclean

Courtesy of Amazon

"This is my go-to cleaner for everything," says Williamson. "It’s marketed as a dishwashing product, but I use it for so much more. It works wonders on kitchen and bathroom surfaces and even cleaning my car. It’s incredibly versatile."

The secret lies in three cleaning agents, including ethyl alcohol, that aren't normally found in dish soap. The foamy formula makes cutting through grime and grease a total breeze.

Courtesy of Target

For those looking for more natural or environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, you can't go wrong with this formula from Method. "This eco-friendly cleaner is safe for multiple surfaces and I like the grapefruit scent," praises Williamson.

It gets its cleaning power from plant-based cleansing agents, and is available in other great-smelling scents that include French lavender and lemongrass.

Courtesy of Amazon

We love a concentrated cleaning solution for its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and versatility. This one from Mrs. Meyers can be mixed with water and poured into a spray bottle to wipe down countertops, stainless steel, and kitchen and bathroom surfaces or added to a mop bucket to clean floors.

Courtesy of Walmart

Not every all-purpose cleaner can be used as a disinfectant, but this one from Lysol is ideal for cleaning surfaces of germs. "I love this cleaner because it uses hydrogen peroxide, which I prefer using over bleach," says Williamson. "It’s perfect for everyday disinfecting."

Courtesy of Target

Another gentler, more natural all-purpose cleaner, Seventh Generation's formula is free of petroleum-based solvents, glycol ethers, phosphates, acids, caustics, dyes, and fragrances. An impressive 95 percent plant-based, it'll clean virtually every room in your home of grease, grime, and dirt, and even make stainless steel sparkle. Harsh chemicals? See ya.

Courtesy of Target

Mr. Clean's Clean Freak lives up to its name, being that it's tough on dirt on contact—meaning that you won't have to wait or let the formula sit before wiping it away. But it's also beloved for its nifty spray bottle that works at any angle, allowing you to get in every last nook and cranny around your home.