Last Updated: December 29, 2022

9 best all purpose cleaners for the home.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 17 min read

When you think about the steps to good house cleaning, tackling dirt and grime may be at the top of your mind. We all want to be able to blast away the dirt that hides on surfaces in our homes fast and effectively. The best all purpose cleaners will do just that and get your surfaces their cleanest. From countertops, painted walls, and appliances to floors and even outdoor plastic furniture and car dashboards, an all purpose cleaner swipes up dirt and grime hiding out that you could pick up on your hands.


Ready to pick up one of these multipurpose cleaners to use for all of your needs? Check out our top list of the best all purpose cleaners like this Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate that can be easily mixed up in a Grove Co. Reusable Glass Cleaning Spray Bottle.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. method All Purpose Cleaner

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Being an avid animal lover and someone who worked day in and day out cleaning, we think Cinderella would have even swapped to this method All Purpose Cleaner in her day. This method cleaning spray uses plant-based cleaning power to target and break down dirt and grime with a streak-free finish. Plus, it’s tough enough to handle everyday messes …

(806)
28 Oz
$4.49
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2. Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate

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Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate cuts 2x more grease than other natural brands.* Crafted to be sustainably powerful for a healthy home and planet.

This biodegradable formula is made with 92% plant-based ingredients — no parabens, phthalates, phosphates, formaldehyde, synthetic dyes, ammonia, or chlorine bleach — and made with 100% …

(751)
2 Count
$6.95
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3. Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner

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Put a little pep in your step while you’re cleaning up with this Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner. This Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner comes in more than 15 garden-inspired scents from which to choose, so you can make cleaning up fun. It’s kitchen-counter worthy but can also be used in bathrooms and other rooms with …

(7285)
16 Oz
$4.79
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4. method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner

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This method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner will simplify your cleaning routine so much that you might actually enjoy tidying up. You can feel good knowing that this multi-surface cleaner not only cleans, but also kills up to 99.9%* of nasty household germs like staphylococcus aureus, influenza, salmonella, and rhinovirus. Say goodbye to gritty …

(971)
28 Oz
$4.99
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5. Dr. Bronner's All-Purpose Cleaner

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An all-purpose cleaner that really means for all purposes — this Dr. Bronner's All-Purpose Cleaner can tackle everything from doing laundry to mopping floors. It’s also a great option for households with pets and kids because it’s made with plant-based ingredients, including natural fir needle and spruce essential oils, and it’s dye-free, …

(163)
32 Oz
$16.99
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6. Meliora All-Purpose Home Cleaner

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This All-Purpose Home Cleaner is your one-stop solution for cleaning the hard surfaces in your home. Floors, walls, countertops, and even the greasy fingerprint smudges on the fridge.

Works great with the Grove Glass Spray Bottle.
(9)
3 pack
$5.49
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7. Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner

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Whether tackling grimy buildup on your kitchen counters or soap scum in your bathroom, make Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner your go-to cleaner for household surfaces. Utilizing the natural power of plant-derived and plant-based cleaning agents, this all-purpose cleaner boasts a streak-free shine on countertops, baseboards, windows, and more …

(45)
23 Oz.
$5.59
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8. Grove Co. All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner - Kills 99.9% of Germs**

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An antibacterial cleaner that eliminates grease while disinfecting and killing 99.9% of viruses and germs on hard surfaces in 10 minutes.*

  • A NOTE ABOUT COVID-19:
    COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Grove Co. All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner kills similar viruses and therefore can be used against SARS-CoV-2 when used in accordance with the …

(154)
24 oz
$6.49
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9. Aunt Fannie's Cleaning Vinegar

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You spend a good percentage of your time inside, so why not spend time embracing your inner housecleaner with plant-based products like this Aunt Fannie's Cleaning Vinegar. This cleaning vinegar is paraben-, sulfate-, and triclosan-free, and it’s vegan and Leaping Bunny–certified. It naturally breaks down dirt and other unwanted filth by using the …

(293)
16.9 Oz
$7.49
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FAQs

What is all purpose cleaner?

Whether you refer to it as all purpose cleaner, all purpose cleaning spray, or multipurpose cleaner, it all means the same thing. It’s a cleaner that can be used on many surfaces without damaging them, and it also removes dirt, grease, and other nasty residues left behind in your home. You can use all purpose cleaner for a variety of chores including (but not limited to) wiping down kitchen and bathroom counters, wiping down your stove or refrigerator, and cleaning coffee tables and other surfaces.


You can purchase an all purpose cleaning spray like this Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner or you can invest in a concentrate like this Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate — both will do what you’re looking for. Also, some people get confused and mix up their cleaning products, but remember that multipurpose cleaner never has to be rinsed after using — just spray and wipe away.


Is all purpose cleaner safe on paint?

Yep — all purpose cleaner is safe to use on paint, even car paint. (Plus, many people use all purpose cleaner to clean the inside of their cars like their dashboards.) That’s because it’s formulated to be gentle enough to use on most surfaces. The catch? There isn’t one, but we recommend testing your all purpose cleaning spray in an inconspicuous spot before you go hog wild on whatever you’re going to clean. In most cases, people are wondering if they can use their cleaner on furniture they’ve painted, and again, it should be just fine, but do a small spot test before spraying down the whole thing.


Wondering what it won’t work on? Here are some things you shouldn’t clean with all purpose cleaner:


  • Glass
  • Inside your oven
  • Mold
  • Fabric
  • Carpets
  • Unfinished surfaces
  • Anything you want to disinfect (unless it states it’s also a disinfecting cleaner)

Does all purpose cleaner kill germs?

Your everyday all purpose cleaner won’t kill germs. It’s made to tackle dirt, grease, grime, and dust, but it won’t kill germs or viruses that cause illnesses. If you’re looking for an all purpose cleaner that also kills germs, you’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled for a cleaner that calls itself a disinfectant cleaner or a disinfecting all purpose cleaner. For example, this Grove Co. All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner claims to kill 99.9% of germs. Disinfectants will kill many microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces in your home.


Many people recommend using an all purpose cleaner first to remove dirt and grime from surfaces, and then following up with a disinfectant cleaner. This is to assure that germs aren’t hiding when you go to use your disinfectant spray.


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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