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Forbes
07-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The 6 Best All-Purpose Cleaners To Conquer The Toughest Messes
A good all-purpose cleaner doesn't just get rid of crumbs and spills—it also makes cleaning feel faster and easier, whether you're wiping down the counters after dinner or scrubbing the bathroom sink on a Saturday morning. After researching and comparing dozens of formulas, we found Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner to be the best all-purpose cleaner overall. It's strong enough to handle everyday household messes but doesn't include dyes, added fragrance or other common irritants, making it safer to use around kids, pets and food prep areas. The best all-purpose cleaners make it easier to tackle everyday messes and keep your home feeling ... More fresh. Depending on what matters most to you, though, another option might be a better fit, whether that's a natural cleaner, something refillable or a formula that leaves a stronger scent behind. After all, different types of cleaners work better for different needs. 'Natural cleaners are effective for light cleaning, while conventional ones perform better for tough stains or grease," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. "Natural is best for daily use; conventional is needed for heavy-duty cleaning." With that in mind, we narrowed down the very best all-purpose cleaners to fit different cleaning routines and help keep your home fresh. Walmart Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free | Safe for: Most sealed surfaces including countertops, bathroom fixtures, high chairs and pet areas Best for: Skip if: Ideal for everyday cleaning, Clorox Free & Clear is just as effective on a greasy kitchen counter as it is on a smudged bathroom faucet. It's also formulated without harsh ingredients found in a lot of conventional sprays, which can irritate the skin or throat, plus it's EPA Safer Choice–certified, meaning it meets strict standards for ingredient safety without losing effectiveness. This spray is easy to reach for on a daily basis: It goes on evenly and doesn't leave streaks or residue, no matter what you're cleaning. What's more, there's no overpowering scent that lingers in the air or on your hands, and it doesn't require rinsing. It also works well with different cleaning tools; paper towels, microfiber cloths and sponges all leave a streak-free finish. Amazon Size: 27.1 ounces | Scents: Citrus zest, unscented, grapefruit and lavender | Safe for: Most indoor and outdoor surfaces including counters, appliances and sealed floors Best for: Skip if: Attitude is one of the few natural cleaners that's been thoroughly vetted and actually backs up its claims. It's EWG Verified and EcoLogo certified, meaning it meets some of the strictest third-party standards for both health and environmental safety. Unlike many 'green' cleaners that only sound good on the label, this all-purpose cleaner has actually gone through independent testing and ingredient audits. The formula uses 94% naturally derived ingredients, including saponin, which is a plant-based cleansing agent that helps break down dirt without leaving streaks behind. It's available in multiple scents (including unscented), but even the fragranced options avoid harsh additives that can cause irritation. The bottle is recyclable, and Attitude offers concentrated refills if you want to cut down on plastic use. It also doesn't require rinsing, so you can spray and wipe without thinking twice. Walmart Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Unscented (has a light chemical scent) | Safe for: Tile, stainless steel, porcelain, fiberglass, countertops, painted surfaces Best for: Skip if: Zep's all-purpose cleaner is made for the messes that less powerful options would struggle with. It's a commercial-grade spray that works well on surfaces like tile, fiberglass and stainless steel—especially when you're dealing with heavy grease or stuck-on dirt. Spray it directly onto the surface, wait about a minute, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. Keep in mind that it's not designed for delicate materials. In particular, you want to avoid using Zep on natural stone, mirrors or glass; it should be tested in a small spot first if you're unsure. And while the scent isn't overpowering, it's not designed for sensitive noses either. If you're using it in a smaller space, cracking a window can help with ventilation. Amazon Size: 22 ounces | Scent: Sunrise Memories or Opulence Bloom | Safe for: Kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, floors and tiles Best for: Skip if: Pinalen Luxury Scent Spray is made for people who actually want to smell their cleaner after they use it. Crafted by master perfumers, it smells more like a home fragrance or room spray than a typical cleaning product. It's available in two versions, both of which are intentionally strong and lingering, so your space smells freshly cleaned even hours later. Of course, this spray still functions as a proper all-purpose cleaner; it cuts through grease, lifts everyday grime and works across kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and floors. But the scent is the reason to buy it. If you like the idea of your home smelling polished and scented after you clean, Pinalen leans into that. If you prefer something lighter or more neutral, it might be too much. Branch Basics Size: 33.8 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free | Safe for: Most sealed surfaces including countertops, bathrooms, glass and dishes Best for: Skip if: Branch Basics makes it easy to set up a refillable system without a lot of extra steps. You start with the Cleaning Essentials Kit, which includes the main concentrate and three reusable bottles for all-purpose cleaning, bathrooms and streak-free surfaces. Each bottle has simple fill lines to show exactly how much water and concentrate to add. Once you're set up, you only need to reorder the concentrate, which most customers say lasts for months, even with regular use. The formula itself is plant- and mineral-based, free from common irritants and gentle enough to use around kids and pets. While it's not designed to disinfect, it can handle grease, dirt and other messes across most surfaces. Branch Basics also offers a discounted subscribe-and-save option if you want to automate refills, which can make the upfront cost feel more worthwhile over time. Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Original | Safe for: Hard, nonporous bleach-safe surfaces including countertops, appliances, bathroom tile and outdoor furniture Best for: Skip if: Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach is what we grab when we need to clean and disinfect at the same time. It's a strong spray designed to clean and disinfect and deodorize in one step, which makes it especially useful for places like bathroom sinks and kitchen counters, plus any other high-touch surfaces where grime and germs build up. The built-in bleach helps cut through tough stains, mold, mildew and more, while also killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. That power comes with a few important caveats. It's meant only for hard, nonporous surfaces that are bleach-safe, like tile, porcelain, sealed countertops and outdoor furniture. It's not a good fit for natural stone, wood or anything prone to damage from harsh cleaners. You'll also want to use it in a well-ventilated space and follow the label directions closely, letting the surface stay visibly wet for at least 30 seconds before wiping and rinsing. If you're using it in a kitchen, make sure to rinse surfaces that come into direct contact with food. At Forbes Vetted, we've researched and recommended hundreds of home and cleaning products, from the best vacuum cleaners to a lifechanging dish spray, to help our readers find solutions that make everyday life easier. To find the best all-purpose cleaners, we looked at dozens of formulas across a range of types, strengths and cleaning styles. Some of the sprays on this list have been used firsthand by our editors, while others were selected based on strong expert recommendations and customer reviews. Every home needs at least one all-purpose cleaner to tackle stains, messes and more. Here's what to consider as you shop. A good all-purpose cleaner should match the type of cleaning you do most often. For everyday messes like spills or fingerprints, a lighter natural formula is usually enough. For bigger jobs, like scrubbing out a greasy kitchen sink or deep-cleaning the bathroom, you may want something stronger. As Mock explains, heavy-duty cleaners are especially useful for cutting through grease or removing germs in high-traffic areas, but they typically contain harsher chemicals. All-purpose cleaners come in a few different formats, including ready-to-use sprays and concentrated formulas. Concentrates offer the best value over time, since a single bottle can make multiple refills, but sprays are more convenient for grab-and-go use. Wipes are also handy for quick cleanups, though they can be less cost-effective if you're covering larger areas. Mock recommends concentrates because they last a long time and reduce waste, especially if you clean frequently. It's smart to check the label if you're cleaning around kids, pets or food prep areas. Mock advises avoiding cleaners with harsh ingredients like ammonia, bleach and phthalates, which can be irritating or harmful with frequent use. If you want a cleaner you can reach for every day, a plant- or mineral-based formula may be the better fit. For deeper cleaning or disinfecting, a conventional formula might make more sense; just be sure it's safe for the surfaces you're using it on.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Spring Into a Cleaner Home with Molly Maid® for National Cleaning Week
The Nation's Leading Residential Cleaning Company Shares Practical Spring Cleaning Tips WACO, Texas, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Molly Maid ®, a Neighborly ® company and the nation's leading residential and commercial cleaning franchise, is sharing helpful spring cleaning tips for all homeowners right in time for National Cleaning Week (March 23-29). Spring cleaning is known to be the time of year when you do a thorough cleaning of your home and clean away winter's mess. It can include any cleaning task from clearing out cabinets and scrubbing the floors to reorganizing each room. It's the perfect time to give your home that refresh it deserves and what better way to commemorate National Cleaning Week than with a fresh space? Having an entire season dedicated to cleaning can be overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be simple and stress-free. Follow these expert tips from Molly Maid to refresh your home efficiently and effectively: Get Ready: Start by creating a checklist to keep your cleaning tasks organized and efficient. Gather essential supplies like microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaners, vinegar, baking soda, and disinfectants to ensure you have everything you need before getting started. Declutter First: Before deep cleaning, go through each room and sort items into donate, keep, or trash piles. By decluttering first, it helps create a more manageable space and makes the cleaning process easier. Clean Room by Room: Focus on one area at a time, starting with the most frequently used spaces like bathrooms and the kitchen. Don't forget to clean forgotten areas, like dusting light fixtures and ceiling fans and wiping down windowsills and moldings. Dust first then move onto vacuuming rugs, carpets and floors to refresh each room. Disinfect Key Touchpoints: High-touch surfaces like cabinet handles, doorknobs, and light switches can harbor germs, so be sure to wipe them down with disinfectant to keep your home healthy and clean. 'National Cleaning Week is the perfect excuse to tackle all those messes you've been avoiding,' said Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid. 'To make your life easier when this time comes, we recommend making daily cleaning habits a part of your life. Including making the bed, loading the dishwasher promptly and wiping down counters and surfaces regularly. Doing all these things throughout the year, will make spring cleaning a less intimidating and daunting task.' We understand that sometimes life gets in the way. You may be too busy and/or too tired to do a deep clean or sometimes it is just too much for you to do on your own. Molly Maid is here to help always! We can create a personalized cleaning plan for you and your needs no matter the situation. Help is only a call away! About Molly Maid® Molly Maid® is a residential cleaning franchise with more than 450 franchise locations that collectively perform more than 1.7 million U.S. home cleanings annually. Franchising since 1984, and acquired in 2015, Molly Maid® is part of Neighborly®, a family of global brands focused on being remarkable with consumers and franchise owners with more than 30 brands and 5,500 franchise locations across North America and Europe serving millions of customers. Molly Maid® established the Ms. Molly Foundation in 1996 to raise awareness and support for victims of domestic violence. For more information about Molly Maid®, visit To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly®, click here.
