Whether you’re starting fresh in a new home or simply want to revamp your cleaning arsenal, it can be hard to separate the essentials from the nice-to-haves. With so many different brands, figuring out which products actually work is pretty tricky too. To help you make sense of it all, we’ve listed our favorite product in 10 essential cleaning categories to set you up with the best of the best.
Your home is living space, not storage space
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab vets, tests and reviews hundreds of cleaning products and appliances each year, ranging from dishwashers to degreasers. To choose the best of each product, we subject them to rigorous in-Lab and at-home testing to assess performance, safety and ease of use.
Mr. Clean Clean Freak Multi-Surface Spray
A multipurpose cleaner is a versatile tool that should be in every home’s cleaning toolbox. Mr. Clean’s Clean Freak Multi-Surface Spray is safe to use for tackling messes on a variety of surfaces like kitchen countertops, appliances or bathroom sinks. When we tested this cleaner, it quickly lifted dirt and grime. We like that it isn’t runny yet wipes away easily. The starter kit comes with a reusable spray nozzle which can be removed and reattached when you buy refill bottles. The refills are available at a lower price point, so you can save money while reducing waste.
Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Soap
Dawn Platinum’s impressive grease-cutting ability and exceptional cleaning performance have earned it a spot by our sink in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. This GH Seal star dish soap’s powerful suds emulsify and trap grease, preventing it from settling back on dishes. Its powerful formula effortlessly softens and removes burnt-on messes with just a small squirt. Beyond dish duty, it proves its versatility by serving as an effective remedy against grease stains on clothing. Plus it’s affordable, making it a must-have in any cleaning kit.
Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
A good stainless steel cleaner will effectively remove grease, grime and fingerprints from your appliances all without leaving streaks or damaging the finish. Our Lab tests showed that this aerosol spray from Magic is fit for the task. In our tests, this product was easy to use, and it was the only stainless steel cleaner that removed 100 percent of our test soil. Unlike some other cleaners we tested, it didn’t darken the surface of the stainless steel, and it left behind very little residue and streaking. Plus, the formula adds a protective coating to appliances that helps repel new fingerprints. Magic advises against using this product on stainless steel cookware.
Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
A good stainless steel cleaner will effectively remove grease, grime and fingerprints from your appliances all without leaving streaks or damaging the finish. Our Lab tests showed that this aerosol spray from Magic is fit for the task. In our tests, this product was easy to use, and it was the only stainless steel cleaner that removed 100 percent of our test soil. Unlike some other cleaners we tested, it didn’t darken the surface of the stainless steel, and it left behind very little residue and streaking. Plus, the formula adds a protective coating to appliances that helps repel new fingerprints. Magic advises against using this product on stainless steel cookware.
Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
In our Lab tests, Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach quickly dissolved stains, making scrubbing a breeze. Because this gel contains bleach, this cleaner disinfects as long as it’s allowed to sit for 5 minutes after the bowl has been coated. The whitening effect can also help freshen up an old ceramic toilet that has gotten dingy with use. However, the light-colored gel can make it tricky to see where the cleaner has already been applied, so we found ourselves using extra just to be sure the whole bowl was coated. If you struggle with rust stains, be aware that bleach won’t remove them, but there are other great toilet cleaners specifically formulated to tackle rust.
How we choose the best cleaning products
In the Cleaning Lab, we test a wide variety of cleaning products to determine which ones truly hold up to their claims. For each category, we subject a wide array of products to rigorous testing, judging each one by the same criteria to determine performance, safety and ease of use. When applicable, we base our testing on industry-standard protocols.
- Brand reputation
- Cleaning requirement
- Sustainability
- Ingredient matter
- Safety
For a cleaning spray or liquid like those listed in this article, testing usually involves the creation of one or more synthetic soils designed to mimic real household messes. Then performance is evaluated based on its ability to effectively clean the soil. We also incorporate consumer testing and send products testing. They then fill out a survey to give feedback on metrics like scent, ease of use and how well the products worked for their needs.
What to consider when buying cleaning products for your home
With so many different cleaning products available, it can be hard to know which ones are really necessary. This is especially true if you’re building your cleaning toolbox from scratch. Essentials that every home needs include laundry detergent and a stain remover, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner. If you have a dishwasher, you can add dishwasher detergent into the mix too.
- Environmental impact
- Safety of household members and pets
- Cost efficiency
- Multi-purpose
Once you have all of your essentials, you can begin to consider specialty cleaners. These are items such as stainless steel cleaners, furniture polishes, carpet and upholstery cleaners and more. Take stock of the surfaces you have in your house and think about which cleaners would be most helpful. If you have multiple stainless steel appliances, a stainless steel cleaner could be a great help.
