Have you ever tried to choose an all-purpose cleaner at the store before? It sometimes seems like there is an infinite number of options — how could you ever choose just one?
If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head in the cleaning aisle at the store, look no further. Here, we’ll break down 14 buying tips to help guide you to the best possible all-purpose cleaner for you and your household or workplace.
Read on to learn more!
Table of Contents
1. Purpose
Obviously, the first thing to look at when searching for an all-purpose cleaner is the purpose! A good all-purpose cleaner will be usable on all surfaces, from metal surfaces to glass or stone countertops.
Unfortunately, no cleaner is perfect for every task, but a good multipurpose cleaner can tackle most tasks without toxic properties.
2. Ingredients
Ingredients are incredibly important to determine the function of your all-purpose cleaner. Ingredients can help to perform different tasks such as stain removal, dissolving oily and greasy substances, and even killing microscopic bacteria.
Both natural and chemical ingredients can provide the cleaning power you need but be wary of potential allergens or ingredients that might be toxic to pets or small children.
3. Application
Cleaners can also vary wildly in applications. Most all-purpose cleaners are applied with a spray nozzle, but being able to adjust the application process can come in handy.
An adjustable spray nozzle can help to vary from localized application to a broader spray. Much of this also will depend on the concentration of the cleaner itself, which we will discuss further.
4. Price
Another easy factor to consider is the price of the product itself. There are lots of all-purpose cleaners out there that you can buy at a low price, but some natural cleaners may charge you a bit more for the product.
A good way to lower the overall cost of cleaners is to buy in bulk either online or in wholesale stores. All-purpose cleaners don’t go bad, so having a couple of extras on hand is never a bad thing!
5. Safety
As we have discussed, ingredients make a huge difference in the quality and function of your cleaner. However, ingredients can also make a huge difference in the safety of the product itself.
The container itself can also make a difference in safety. For example, a brightly colored bottle that is not securely sealed can be a hazard for children who might be attracted to its appearance.
6. Performance
There are a lot of factors that impact the performance of an all-purpose cleaner. A great cleaner will be easy to use, providing great cleaning power with minimal effort.
Dilution can make a big effort in the performance and ease of use of a product. However, sometimes disposable wipes or pre-diluted spray cleaners can be the easiest to use depending on your intended usage.
7. Form
Alongside performance, the form of your all-purpose cleaner will also be important to consider. Wipes, spray, concentrate are all viable options. However, most cleaners will also require additional tools to use, whether that’s a cloth, scouring pad, mop, or sponge.
Think about what is easily accessible for you!
8. Odor
If you or someone in your household/workplace are particularly sensitive to strong smells, you definitely don’t want to get an all-purpose cleaner that has intense odors.
You likely want to choose something that either has little to no odor whatsoever or a fragrance that can neutralize existing odors. Light and fresh fragrances might be a nice alternative as well for a clean smelling environment.
9. Sanitizing Power
A good all-purpose cleaner should not only effectively get rid of dirt and grime, but also eliminate dangerous bacteria and other microbes. Especially if you’re trying to prevent the spread of disease, a heavy-duty cleaner with stronger disinfecting power might be necessary.
10. Toxicity
All cleaning products vary in toxicity levels. Many cleaning products have ingredients that can irritate the throat or eyes, not to mention products that can release volatile organic compounds (or VCOs) that can be harmful to the respiratory system.
Especially if you are cleaning a space that is used by a lot of people, especially vulnerable individuals like young children or elderly people, be wary of toxic ingredients like bleach and ammonia.
11. Eco-consciousness
Along the same lines, toxic ingredients can also be toxic for the environment. Eco-friendly cleaning products should also be produced in ways that have a reduced environmental impact.
Check out some of the best commercial cleaning products with eco-friendly ingredients here.
12. Concentration
As we have previously mentioned, concentration can contribute much in the way of effectiveness to all-purpose cleaning products. A product with a high concentration can be diluted down to your desired concentration to work with your cleaning environment.
However, you might prefer something that already has a lower concentration so you don’t have to worry about diluting it yourself (and is safer for use).
13. Efficiency
No one wants to spend a ton of time scrubbing and scouring when it comes to cleaning. We only have so many hours in a day so looking for an efficient all-purpose cleaner can help to reduce your cleaning time.
14. Stain Removal
A key component to a good all-purpose cleaner is its stain-fighting power. There are all kinds of stains to be found in your home or workspace. A good all-purpose cleaner should be able to fight any and all kinds of stains.
This also includes cleaners that don’t leave behind streaks on glass when you’re done cleaning!
How to Find an All-Purpose Cleaner That Works
This may seem like a long list of factors, but finding a single, perfect all-purpose cleaner is no easy task. At the end of the day, there is no single magic cleaner that will tackle every task that you need. However, with these things in mind, you can build a cleaning arsenal that will tackle all the chores you have.
Continue exploring the site for more helpful cleaning tips and tricks!
