10 Best Cleaning Products, According to Expert Testing (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

A glass cleaning spray is essential for keeping mirrors and windows free of fingerprints, dust, dirt flecks and streaks. Cinch Glass Cleaner can do all that and more. We found that not only does this spray perform well at removing typical soils without leaving streaks behind, but it's also good at cutting through and removing grease. While it is first and foremost a glass cleaner, the formula can also be used on stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Some online reviewers remark that this cleaner has a strong smell, but it's not something we noticed during our tests.

Without proper care, your shiny wood floors can quickly become worn and dingy. Fortunately, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner makes upkeep easy. This spray is the best-performing floor cleaner we have evaluated so far. In our tests, it removed tough soils like shoe scuffs and dried, sticky Jell-O with just a few strokes. The formula evaporates quickly, so there is no need to worry about pets or children leaving footprints while the floors are still drying. It is also EPA Safer Choice certified, meaning it meets stringent human and environmental health criteria.

Tide detergents always earn high marks in our evaluations, and this one is no exception. In fact, we named the pod version of this formula the best overall in our assessment of laundry detergents. The benefit of a liquid detergent is that you are able to use less or more to suit the size of your load of laundry. UV light tests have revealed that this detergent removes dirt you can't typically see, leaving garments cleaner than a typical detergent. This liquid doesn't contain any dyes or perfumes, so it may also be a good choice for those with sensitive skin.

Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber repeatedly earns high scores in our Lab tests. This stain remover excelled at removing notoriously tricky stains like pen ink and noticeably lightened others, like red food coloring. It also fairs well against lipstick, mascara and drink stains regardless of whether you wash in hot or cold water. The formula draws its power from enzymes and should be allowed to work for at least 10 minutes before washing. The brand claims to work on a wide range of fabrics including cotton, wool, polyster, nylon and more, but Carbona advises against using it on delicate textiles like silk.

A good bathroom cleaner will go a long way in helping you keep your shower, sink or tile clean. Our tests revealed that Microban 24 Hour Bathroom Cleaner easily cuts through hard water stains and soap scum with minimal scrubbing. This powerful spray is also a disinfectant. Not only does it kill bacteria, but it can prevent bacterial growth for 24 hours after use. To take advantage of this feature, use it on hard, non-porous surfaces, and allow them to stay wet for 5 minutes. When allowed to dry on pre-treated surfaces, the spray can also tamp down the growth of mold and mildew for up to 7 days, helping you to clean less often.

Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To write this article, he gathered information about product performance, user experience and versatility by referring to data from previous tests and reading consumer reviews.