Best All-Purpose Cleaners of 2026: Safe, Powerful, Residue-Free Picks

Looking for the best all-purpose cleaner for everyday messes in 2026? At Cleaning Supply Review, our lab tests and third‑party research identify Simple Green as the most versatile pick for mixed households and light-to-heavy soils, a choice echoed by Good Housekeeping’s Best Overall nod. Budget-minded, refillable cleaner fans should consider Thrive’s Rosey line, while Branch Basics wins for concentrate value and low waste. For germ-kill, Clorox Disinfecting Multi-Purpose offers EPA-registered options with refill pods per Wirecutter. Zep Pro-Tabs lead the cleaning tablets category for space-saving consistency, according to Consumer Reports. For eco picks with low-odor and residue-free performance, Seventh Generation (Safer Choice, UL Ecologo) and Attitude (EWG Verified) stand out. Below, see how each performs, what it costs, and where it fits best.

Cleaning Supply Review

We’re an independent review site focused on lab-tested cleaning products, balancing measurable performance with real-world ease. Our side-by-side protocols compare grease, protein, and starch removal; streaking on glass, stone, and stainless; scent intensity; cost-per-use; packaging waste; and spray ergonomics. Because wipe-off matters, we also benchmark paper towels for absorbency and wet strength, helping separate true product film from towel lint across brands. Our readers—facility managers, small businesses, and eco-conscious households—use our neutral testing and social-responsibility lens (including B Corp, Safer Choice, and UL Ecologo) to buy smarter. Learn more about our approach and bulk-buying guidance on the Cleaning Supply Review posts hub.

Simple Green

Simple Green remains a top versatility pick for heavy-duty and everyday use. In our side-by-side testing, it balanced heavy-soil removal with quick wipe-off across common surfaces. Good Housekeeping recognized it as Best Overall after strong performance on tile, chrome, concrete, and even grill grates, with flexibility to use full strength or diluted across mess types. We like it in garages, on outdoor furniture, and for kitchen pre-degreasing before a final wipe with a streak-free cleaner. Limitations: many Simple Green formulations are not disinfectants, and the scent can be polarizing. To reduce streaks on glossy surfaces, use a light spray, work in sections, and buff promptly with a clean microfiber.

Reference: Good Housekeeping’s Best Multi-Purpose Cleaners list.

Thrive

Thrive Market’s Rosey line is our budget-friendly, refill-forward option with meaningful sustainability credentials. In our cost-per-use modeling, Rosey refills kept per-bottle costs predictable. The Good Trade notes Thrive is a B Corp offering vegan, cruelty-free products with convenient recurring deliveries and a refill system; some Rosey items start around $4 with subscriptions, which stabilizes cost-per-use over time and reduces plastic. Choose fragrance-free for sensitive offices and home counters, and keep a spare refill on hand to avoid out-of-stock gaps.

Reference: The Good Trade’s guide to non-toxic all-purpose cleaners.

Branch Basics

For low-waste households and facilities focused on ingredient safety, Branch Basics is a standout concentrate. The brand carries MadeSafe certification, is biodegradable and vegan, woman-owned, and American-made, with subscribe-and-save refills. Starter concentrate kits hover around $50 but mix into many bottles, bringing per-use costs down dramatically. When mixed correctly, we observed residue-light performance and minimal streaking.

Recommended dilutions:

• Light duty: 1 teaspoon concentrate per 24 oz water
• Standard all-purpose: 1 tablespoon per 24 oz
• Heavy degrease: 2 tablespoons per 24 oz, pre-soak 2–3 minutes

Reference: The Good Trade’s profile of cleaner brands (includes Branch Basics details).

Clorox Disinfecting

When you need germ-kill, Clorox Disinfecting Multi-Purpose is a reliable EPA-registered disinfectant option; Wirecutter also highlights replaceable refill capsules for certain Clorox sprays that cut plastic. For food-contact surfaces, follow label dwell time and rinse thoroughly after disinfecting. Some variants have strong odors and may require gloves; Tasting Table notes the line can be harsh with a pronounced scent.

EPA-registered disinfectant defined (40–50 words): An EPA-registered disinfectant is reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to kill specified pathogens when used exactly as directed—correct concentration, sufficient dwell time, and compatible surfaces. Labels list the EPA registration number and target organisms so buyers can match products to compliance and risk needs.

References: Wirecutter’s review of all-purpose cleaners; Tasting Table’s ranking of popular kitchen cleaners.

Microban 24

For high-touch surfaces where ongoing protection matters, Microban 24 Hour Multi-Purpose Cleaner is compelling. Good Housekeeping lists it as Best Long-Lasting for its 24-hour protection claim on certain non-porous surfaces. To avoid streaks on glossy finishes, ensure good ventilation, apply a light coat, respect dwell time, then buff dry with a clean microfiber. We like it for doorknobs, breakrooms, and office touchpoints where antimicrobial cleaner benefits are prioritized.

Reference: Good Housekeeping’s Best Multi-Purpose Cleaners.

Zep Pro-Tabs

Tablet concentrates reduce waste, save storage space, and standardize dilution for teams. Consumer Reports outlines prep: add one Zep Pro-Tab to 32 oz of warm water, wait 5 minutes, then shake; typical packs include four tablets. We recommend printing a step-by-step card for janitorial closets to maintain consistent mixing. Reusing bottles with cleaning tablets is a low-waste cleaner approach that keeps results uniform across shifts.

Reference: Consumer Reports on best cleaning products.

Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is a plant-based all-purpose cleaner with low-irritant formulas and strong third-party validation. Wirecutter confirms the brand’s Safer Choice and UL Ecologo certifications for select products, making it a trusted eco option. EPA Safer Choice explained (40–50 words): Safer Choice is an EPA program certifying products that meet strict human health and environmental criteria, emphasizing low toxicity, biodegradability, and minimal VOCs. It helps buyers identify effective, safer-chemistry cleaners suitable for everyday messes without sacrificing performance. Choose fragrance-free lines if you’re sensitive; prompt wipe-and-buff minimizes residue on glass and stainless.

Reference: Wirecutter’s review of all-purpose cleaners.

Puracy

Puracy balances gentle formulas with everyday cleaning power. The Good Trade highlights customer praise for cleaning well without triggering asthma, thanks to plant-derived surfactants and low-odor profiles. We recommend Puracy for kitchens, nurseries, and shared office spaces. For a streak-free cleaner finish on mirrors and stainless, pair it with a high-quality microfiber and a final dry buff.

Reference: The Good Trade on non-toxic cleaner brands.

Method

Method’s All-Purpose Cleaner (Pink Grapefruit) is a popular mainstream, plant-forward choice. The Spruce recommends it as a solid multipurpose cleaner, though Wirecutter notes heavily scented lines were excluded in their testing—an indicator that some users may be scent-sensitive. To reduce intensity, open windows, start with small-area tests, or opt for lighter fragrances from the range.

References: The Spruce’s best all-purpose cleaners of 2026; Wirecutter’s review.

Attitude

Attitude is a favorite among eco-conscious buyers seeking verification and a streak-free cleaner reputation. The Good Trade reports EWG Verified status, 94% naturally derived ingredients, and vegan, cruelty-free practices, with multiple scents and strong dust-and-dirt removal. Seek eco-refill cartons or pouches to cut plastic. We’ve had excellent residue-free results on counters, sealed wood, and mirrors.

Reference: The Good Trade’s non-toxic cleaner roundup.

How we test all-purpose cleaners

• Cleaning power: We evaluate removal of baked-on grease (vegetable oil + carbonized sugar), protein (egg), and starch (thickened corn starch) on ceramic tile and sealed counters, scoring dwell time, wipe cycles, and visible residue.
• Residue and streaking: We measure film and streaks on glass, polished stone, and stainless using a controlled, even spray and standardized wipe pattern. Paper towels are benchmarked for absorbency and wet strength, since weak sheets leave lint and film that mimic product residue.
• Scent and irritation: We log scent intensity at 1, 5, and 10 minutes post-clean, note perceived respiratory/skin effects, and flag products likely to overwhelm small spaces.
• Cost-per-use: We calculate cost per 24–32 oz bottle equivalent, including concentrated and tablet yields, to inform bulk buying guidance.
• Packaging and ergonomics: We score spray trigger comfort, droplet consistency, refill readiness, and packaging waste.

External benchmarks: We prioritize our lab data and review third-party testing and awards to triangulate findings; Good Housekeeping’s 120+ years of product research informs our external comparisons.

Mini-protocol you can replicate at home:

• Soil recipes: oil/sugar bake-on, dried egg, and corn-starch paste
• Dwell time: 60 seconds (standard), 3 minutes (heavy)
• Wipe cycles: up to 10 passes with microfiber
• Microfiber spec: 300–350 GSM, clean and dry for buffing
• Simple streak test: spray glass, wipe once vertically, once horizontally, then buff dry; inspect under side lighting

What to consider before you buy

• Match need to product: Use an EPA-registered disinfectant only when necessary—after illness or on high-risk surfaces—to balance germ-kill with indoor air quality. For daily wipe-downs, a residue-free cleaner is usually enough.
• Sensitivities: Choose low-odor or fragrance-free formulas if anyone in the space is scent-sensitive.
• Cost and waste: Concentrates and tablets typically offer the lowest cost-per-use and packaging waste, with consistent results for teams.
• Streak triggers: Larger spray droplets evaporate slower and can leave film; Wirecutter observed more streaking with some Clorox Free & Clear sprays. Buff with a clean microfiber to finish.
• Surface safety: For stone and stainless, avoid harsh acids and undiluted degreasers; mix concentrates properly and stick to microfiber to minimize haze.

Reference: The Cleaning Station’s 2025 overview of multisurface cleaning solutions (cost/waste trends) and Wirecutter’s streaking observations.

Safety and sustainability criteria

• Glossary:
  • EPA-registered disinfectant: See definition in Clorox Disinfecting above; verify registration number and organism list on the label.
  • Safer Choice: EPA program denoting safer-chemistry ingredients with low toxicity and minimized VOCs.
  • UL Ecologo: Third-party certification indicating reduced environmental impact across a product’s life cycle.
• What labels matter: Wirecutter confirms Safer Choice and UL Ecologo on several eco lines, including Seventh Generation and select Clorox EcoClean/Green Works products, which helps buyers compare beyond marketing claims.
• Low-waste systems: Favor refill pouches, reusable spray bottles, and cleaning tablets; The Good Trade notes these are common among cleaner, lower-impact brands.
• Purchasing checklist:
  • Certifications present and relevant to your needs
  • Fragrance level matched to sensitivity
  • Refill availability and clear dilution instructions (e.g., Zep tablet steps)
  • Compatible with your most-used surfaces and towels

Frequently asked questions

What is the most effective all-purpose cleaner for everyday messes?

Cleaning Supply Review’s top pick combines versatility and strong degreasing, working well diluted or full strength. If you prefer plant-based and low-waste, a reputable concentrate delivers effective daily cleaning with predictable cost-per-bottle.

Do all-purpose cleaners disinfect or kill germs?

Not all cleaners disinfect. Look for EPA-registered labels and follow dwell and rinse directions; use disinfectants only when needed.

How do I avoid streaks and residue on glass, stone, and stainless steel?

Use a light spray, wipe promptly with a clean microfiber, and finish with a dry buff. Choose mild or plant-based formulas labeled streak-free and avoid heavy fragrances that can leave film.

Are plant-based cleaners as strong as conventional formulas?

Conventional formulas often cut grease fastest, but many plant-based options now clean effectively with fewer irritants. Pre-treat or use a stronger dilution for heavy messes; for daily wipe-downs, quality concentrates leave minimal residue.

What’s the most cost-effective option for bulk or frequent use?

Concentrates and tablets usually win on cost-per-use. They let you mix multiple bottles from one purchase, cut packaging waste, and standardize results across teams.