Best multi-purpose household cleaners
Who needs a cabinet full of different cleaning sprays when you can use one cost-effective bottle?
Of the 17 we tested, these four multi-surface cleansers did the best job of quickly and conveniently vanquishing messes around the house.
Best Overall
Mr. Clean Multi-Surfaces Antibacterial Spray (Lemon Scent)
The beloved bald guy's multitasking spray cut through grease and grime more rapidly than the rest, leaving few streaks. Mr. Clean, the sole antibacterial spritz here, is a serious bargain at just 9¢ per ounce ($3 for 32 oz., amazon.com).
Stainless Steel All-Star
Spic and Span Cinch Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner
Coming in at a close second, Cinch ($3.49 for 32 oz.,amazon.com) tackled all types of soil, excelling on stainless steel and glass. But it did leave dirt behind on a painted wall, which was among the easiest surfaces for its competitors to clean.
(See more: 8 household tips from the experts)
Kitchen Champion
The only cleanser ($3.26 for 26 oz., amazon.com) that completely removed dirt from stainless steel, laminate, and a painted wall. We found that it required a few extra strokes to thoroughly clean glass, but it left little streaking; it also eliminated grease fast. Contains vinegar — though not its pungent smell.
Natural Selection
Replenish Multi-Surface Cleaner
A 2012 winner of our VIP (Very Innovative Products) Awards, this concentrated formula ($7 for 50 oz.; $4 for refills, myreplenish.com), in a squeezable pod, makes three bottles of a plant-based cleanser that works well on glass, laminate, steel, and walls. In lemon, lavender, green tea, and unscented.
More at Good Housekeeping:
