Introduction
All-purpose cleaners are the workhorses of the cleaning closet. They're supposed to clean everything — countertops, appliances, walls, floors, you name it. But do they actually work on all of it, or are they just "kinda works on everything" cleaners?
I tested 7 popular all-purpose cleaners on 5 different surfaces with 5 different types of mess:
- Grease on a stove top
- Soap scum in a shower
- Fingerprints on stainless steel
- Dirt on baseboards
- Food spills on a countertop
Here are the results, ranked from best to worst.
Tested Cleaners
- Windex Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Method All-Purpose Cleaner
- Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner
- Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner
- Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Cleaner
- Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach
- DIY vinegar + water mix
Top Picks
Best Overall: Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Price: ~$4 for 64oz
Mr. Clean was the clear winner in my testing. It cut through grease on the stove top faster than any other cleaner, removed soap scum with minimal scrubbing, and left streak-free results on stainless steel.
The original scent is definitely strong and chemical-y — think "hospital waiting room" — but it dissipates quickly. If you're sensitive to fragrances, go for the lemon scent instead, which is much milder.
Pros:
- Best grease-cutting performance
- Works on almost every surface
- Affordable
- Available everywhere
Cons:
- Strong chemical fragrance
- Not "natural" (if that matters to you)
- Need to rinse food contact surfaces
Best Natural: Method All-Purpose Cleaner
Price: ~$5 for 28oz
Method All-Purpose Cleaner was the surprise winner in the natural category. I was expecting mediocre results, but it actually cleaned really well — better than several "regular" cleaners I tested.
It handled light to medium messes with ease. It needed a bit more scrubbing for heavy grease, but for everyday cleaning it's more than enough. And it smells amazing — the lemon ginger scent is like a spa in a bottle.
Pros:
- Plant-based, non-toxic formula
- Great scent options
- Works well on everyday messes
- Nice bottle design (refillable!)
Cons:
- Struggles with really heavy grease
- More expensive per ounce
- The spray nozzle can clog sometimes
Best for Bathrooms: Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach
Price: ~$5 for 32oz
If your main concern is killing germs and removing soap scum and mildew from the bathroom, Clorox with bleach is the most effective option. It removes soap scum better than anything else I tested and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.
The big downside: it has bleach, so you have to be careful where you use it. It can discolor colored grout, damage some surfaces, and it should never be mixed with other cleaners (especially vinegar or ammonia — that creates toxic gas).
Pros:
- Kills 99.9% of germs
- Best at removing soap scum and mildew
- Whitens grout
- Good for bathroom deep cleaning
Cons:
- Contains bleach (use with caution)
- Strong chlorine smell
- Can damage some surfaces
- Never mix with other cleaners
Best Budget: Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner
Price: ~$6 for 100oz (concentrated)
Pine-Sol is the classic all-purpose cleaner, and it's still one of the best values. The concentrated formula means you mix it with water, so one bottle makes gallons of cleaner. At that price, you can use it on floors, walls, outdoor furniture — anything.
It cleans well, though it's not quite as effective on grease as Mr. Clean. And the pine scent is... polarizing. Some people love it (smells like "clean" to them), others hate it (smells like a school bathroom).
Pros:
- Incredible value (concentrated formula)
- Cleans well on most surfaces
- Kills germs
- Works on floors too
Cons:
- Strong pine scent
- Need to dilute it correctly
- Can leave a film if not rinsed
Honorable Mention: DIY Vinegar + Water
Price: ~$1 for a whole batch
I included a DIY 50/50 vinegar and water mix to see how it compares. And honestly? It's not bad. It cleaned countertops and baseboards just fine, and it works great on glass and mirrors (no streaks!).
Where it falls short: grease and soap scum. Vinegar just doesn't cut through heavy grease the way a dedicated cleaner does. And the vinegar smell lingers for a while (though it does go away when it dries).
Pros:
- Super cheap
- Non-toxic and natural
- Great on glass and mirrors
- You probably already have it
Cons:
- Doesn't cut through heavy grease
- Vinegar smell
- Doesn't kill all germs
- Can damage stone surfaces
Which One Should You Buy?
- For general cleaning around the house: Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose
- If you prefer natural / better scent: Method All-Purpose
- For bathrooms and disinfecting: Clorox with Bleach (but use carefully)
- On a budget / lots of floor cleaning: Pine-Sol (concentrated)
- Zero-waste / already have vinegar: DIY mix
Honestly? I keep two all-purpose cleaners under my sink: Method for everyday kitchen and countertop cleaning (smells nice, works well), and Clorox for bathroom deep cleans (kills germs, removes mildew).
You don't need seven different cleaners. One or two good ones will handle 99% of your cleaning needs.
