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Here, the best kitchen cleaners to add to your shopping list.
If there’s any area of your home that takes a beating, it’s your kitchen . From tough grease splatters to sticky juice spills, to raw chicken in the sink, to snack crumbs littering the floors, this room sees it all. But if you have an arsenal of great cleaning supplies at your disposal, you can tackle the mess in no time, leaving your kitchen sparkling (and more sanitary). Not all kitchen cleaners are created equal, though, and you'll want to make sure you check the label. Some cleaners can ruin certain surfaces, and others include ingredients you may want to avoid.
When it comes to messes, microfiber is the way to go, since it’s a highly absorbent material that’s extra soft, so it won’t scratch any delicate surfaces like stainless steel. Use these workhorses to wipe just about anything—your counters, your floors, or your appliances. You can get the cloths in packs of 5, 10, 15, 20, or even 150, so you’ll always have plenty on hand. The set comes with four assorted colors—green, yellow, orange, and blue—so you can even dedicate specific colors to certain tasks, if you prefer not to use the same cleaner on certain surfaces.
For the best defense against bacteria, germs, and viruses, turn to this innovative cleaning spray. The multi-purpose formula claims to sanitize surfaces, disinfect bacteria and viruses, deodorize, and prevent mold and mildew. But the real draw is the fact that the manufacturer says it's designed to repel germs from non-porous surfaces for a full 24 hours after application and inhibit mold and mildew growth for a full week.
As a bonus, you can also use the formula to clean brushed stainless steel, cast iron, Corian, composite, acrylic, and vitreous china .
If you have a stainless steel sink, you can keep it spotless with this special cleaning formula. It not only removes residue, hard water stains, and other grime, but it also works to polish and shine. The cleaner is designed to leave an invisible water-repellent barrier behind to help prevent future buildup and streaks to extend time between cleaning sessions.
The concentrate is made with just seven plant and mineral-based ingredients . And, you’ll get that sparkling clean, germ-free finish you’re looking for.
A single bottle of this concentrate makes three bottles of all-purpose cleaning spray, three bottles of streak-free glass cleaner, three bottles of bathroom cleaner, three bottles of foaming hand soap, and a bottle of laundry detergent. You’ll love them all, but the all-purpose cleaning spray is what you want for the counters in your kitchen.
Whether you have tile, hardwood, or linoleum, one thing is constant in the kitchen: You want a cleaner that can do a good job. This formula is a vinegar wash concentrate that works in tandem with essential oils and other plant-based cleaning agents. In a single mopping session, the product will dissolve any dirt and grime on the floors. (Just be sure to properly dissolve the product before using it, since it is a concentrate.)
To use, apply the product directly to a surface or to a wet cloth or sponge, then rub and rinse. For more stubborn stains, you can let it sit for up to 60 seconds—that’s it.
A cult-favorite product for a reason: This cleaning polish works miracles on dirty, grimey countertops, sinks, cooktops, appliances, cookware, and more. The gentle formula—it doesn’t contain any bleach—works hard to remove the toughest offenders. Think rust, lime, and hard water stains, and tarnish from copper and brass. It can even restore your beloved Dutch oven pots to their former glory.
If the drain in your kitchen sink is sluggish, pour this drain down the pipe. It’s a great option for kitchens because it has a sweet citrus smell. Still, it effectively cuts through any and all gunk that’s causing the backup, thanks to a specialized thick formula that clings to the sides of your drain. It can even kill drain flies—and anyone who’s ever had drain flies knows how tough that is. And, as an added bonus, because it’s formulated with a naturally derived active ingredient, it won’t harm septic systems or municipal water treatment options.
So thick that it can be hard to rinse through
Simply spray, let the natural citrus solvent penetrate the mess, then wipe away all of that gunk. It’s approved for use on most surfaces in your space, including metal, ceramic tile, and Formica. At the end of your cleaning session, all you’ll be left with is a fragrant lemon scent.
Grease is one of the most stubborn messes to clean and, unfortunately, your kitchen is full of it. To make quick work of a typically very dirty and laborious job, turn to this degreaser. The formula is a thick foam that’s designed to cling to everything, including vertical surfaces.
Unlike standard all-purpose cleaners, this spray has a pH-balanced formula for use on all wood furniture and kitchen cabinets, as well as Formica and laminate surfaces. Simply spritz and wipe with a microfiber cloth to remove dirt, oil, residue, and grease from cabinets and other furniture in your kitchen. What’s left behind is only a fresh lemon scent—no residue.
Your cabinets attract everything from dust to grease splatters and need a good wipe down every week (or at least every other week). While you can use dish soap and warm water, a more powerful product like the Rejuvenate Cabinet & Furniture Cleaner will get the job done in a flash.
What’s more, since the active ingredient is citric acid, the product has a fresh lemony scent. Use this spray formula to clean the toughest grease and grime, remove stubborn stains and odors, and even neutralize common household allergens. You can use it on the vast majority of hard, non-porous surfaces in your kitchen, including countertops, fixtures, floors, tables, and even high chairs.
This all-purpose cleaner is right at home in the kitchen, as the company claims it kills 99.9 percent of all bacteria without bleach. Instead, it harnesses the power of citric extracts to fight things that allow bacteria and germs to flourish, like grime, hard water buildup, and food waste and residue.
Final Verdict The best overall kitchen cleaner is Lemi Shine All-Purpose spray (view at Amazon) since it promises to kill 99.9 percent of all bacteria without harsh ingredients, like bleach. For a versatile cleaning cloth, go with Simple Houseware Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (view at Amazon), which won’t scratch delicate surfaces, like stainless steel.
What to Look for in Kitchen Cleaners
Purpose
Most of your kitchen can be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner, but some appliances and surfaces require a heavy-duty cleaner, such as a degreaser, or a specialized product such as a drain cleaner or a detergent that can be safely used on wooden cabinets and hardwood floors.
Ingredients
In the kitchen, it’s important to consider the ingredients in your cleaning products. Always read the labels to be sure you’re using any products appropriately—particularly any cleaning products that contain harsh or toxic ingredients—as you don’t want to get these products on anything you might consume.
Surface Safety
Double check what surfaces the product is suitable for. You don’t want to apply a product that may be abrasive and damage your hardwood floors, wooden cabinets, or counters during cleaning.
Sanitizer
Many cleaning products that claim to kill germs and bacteria are made with bleach, but there are also bleach-free products made with citric acid, formulas with salt and vinegar, etc. As with all cleaning products, check the label to make sure the disinfectant is suitable for the surface you are using it for.
FAQs
What should I clean my kitchen with?
Use an all-purpose cleaner for the countertops, stove, and other surfaces, and an abrasive scrubbing cleaner for the kitchen sink. For the floor, use water and vinegar or a special floor cleaner, not any soap-based detergent, as it can leave a film on the floor.
What is the best cleaner for kitchen counters?
It depends on the material of the kitchen counter. For most natural stone countertops, water with a spritz of dishwashing detergent is best. For synthetic, solid surface countertops, you can also use dish soap and water, or an all-purpose cleaner. Kitchen sponges harbor bacteria, so make sure to keep the sponge clean, use a fresh sponge regularly, and don't use it to clean up juices from raw meat or poultry but use paper towels instead.
What are the 5 steps in cleaning a kitchen?
After tidying up and decluttering, a basic kitchen cleaning includes: 1. Cleaning the dishes (putting them in the dishwasher and/or washing the rest by hand); 2. Dusting and wiping the countertops; 3. Cleaning the sink; 4. Emptying the trash; 5. Brooming and washing the floor.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent the last 10-plus years researching the best home goods and kitchen items for various digital publications, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Brigitt also has a degree in culinary arts. She’s always cooking, which means she’s always cleaning her kitchen, too. Though Lemi Shine is by far Brigitt’s favorite brand for everything from cleaning spray to dishwashing soap, she also has used (and loved) Microban 24, Branch Basics, and Bar Keeper’s Friend.
