The Best Cleaning Products, Solutions, and Disinfectants for Every Room in Your Home

I’ll be honest: I’m not great at keeping my home clean. Sometimes, I let the dust accumulate on my shelves or neglect to wipe the soap scum from my shower for too long. So, when I have free time to clean my space, I make sure that I’m using the best, most efficient products possible. 

Finding the right soaps, sprays, and wipes can be overwhelming in a market so oversaturated with products that claim to do it all. As a shopping writer who tests hundreds of cleaning products in my work, I know the importance of finding the right solutions to get the job done. With the help of real-life testing insights from 3,216 PEOPLE testers and the expertise of professional cleaner Auri Katariina, who has over 20 million followers on her home-cleaning social media pages, we discovered not only the best products but also a few things to keep in mind.

Between the 3,216 people we surveyed, Clorox, Method, Mrs. Meyers, and Lysol reigned supreme, and we found that some of the cheapest cleaning solutions are actually the most effective. However, cheap solutions usually put off a chemical-like odor, while more natural products leave a light, pleasant smell behind — but they cost more.

Keep reading to find out which cleaning products are better than the rest for your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and full home. 

Kitchen

We spend so much of our lives in the kitchen: cooking, eating, and hanging out around the kitchen table. But the kitchen is also a breeding ground for bacteria and grime, so it’s important to thoroughly clean your cooking and eating areas with the right solutions.

Best Disinfecting Spray: Lysol Disinfectant Spray

When it comes to disinfecting surfaces, there are few brands more trustworthy than Lysol. The thing we love most about this disinfecting spray is how reliable and easy to use it is — simply point at the area you want to clean, let the spray sit on the surface for around three seconds, then wipe off with a rag, paper towel, or sponge. The concentrated spray nozzle is easy to use on small, commonly touched areas like doorknobs and fridge handles, but the spray is also strong enough to cover large swaths of surface areas like kitchen islands in seconds. 

The “Crisp Linen” scented spray leaves behind an odor that we found not at all unpleasant in our testing, though if you’re particularly sensitive to smells, then this might not be the right cleaning solution for you. Overall, this is a really well-priced, easy-to-use, and effective spray that costs under $8. 

Size: 19 oz | Use: Hard and soft surfaces | Scented? Yes 

Other Disinfecting Sprays We Like: 

• Clorox Disinfecting Mist, $6.82; walmart.com
• Microban 24-Hour Sanitizing Spray, $6.49; target.com
• Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray, $4.49; target.com
• Great Value Disinfectant Spray, $4.28; walmart.com
  

Best Dish Soap: Dawn Ultra Dish Soap

No other dish soap that we’ve tested cuts through grease and grime quite as well as Dawn Ultra Dish Soap does. It easily cleans utensils and even removes dried, stuck-on food from dishes that we forgot to soak. The soap suds up easily, which means that a little goes a long way. So, while it’s more expensive than some other dish soaps on the market, we think this one is worth the price. (Extra tip: a small dollop of this soap can also remove grease stains from clothes!)

Size: 38 oz | Use: Dishes, car exteriors, grease stains on clothes  | Scented? Yes

Other Dish Soaps We Like: 

• Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, $2.98; amazon.com 
• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap, $3.99; amazon.com 
• Ajax Ultra Triple Action Dish Liquid, $3.99; target.com 
• Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap, $3.69; target.com 
• Method Dish Soap, $3.99; target.com
  

Best Dishwasher Detergent: Cascade Complete Gel + Oxi Dishwasher Detergent

When we run the dishwasher, we want to run it once — and we want our dishes to come out sparkling clean the first time. That’s what the Cascade Complete Gel + Oxi detergent delivers us: clean, streak-free dishes after one dishwashing cycle. We also love that it’s available at Costco, which means we can buy it in bulk for a lower price. 

Our only qualm with this detergent is that it doesn’t always clean pots and pans as well as it does silver and glassware, but we usually don’t put our pots and pans in the dishwasher anyway. 

Size: 60 oz | Use: Dishwasher  | Scented? Yes 

Other Dishwasher Detergents We Like: 

• Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods, $19.94; amazon.com 
• Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tablets, $22.94; walmart.com 
• Cascade Complete with Dawn, $6.59; target.com 
• Finish Advanced Dishwasher Detergent, $5.99; amazon.com
  

Best Disinfecting Wipes: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are the most convenient way to sanitize your surfaces. We use them on countertops, refrigerators, and door knobs to quickly disinfect and clean off surface-grime. Just pull a wipe out of the tube, wipe your desired area, toss out the disposable wipe, and wait a few seconds for your surface to dry before returning to regular use. 

The disposable wipes are also not as environmentally friendly as reusable cleaning rags, but they don’t require the extra step of washing rags and are a convenient cleaning solution to have around in a quick pinch. 

Size: 35 wet wipes  | Use: Sanitizing hard surfaces  | Scented? Yes 

Other Disinfecting Wipes We Like: 

• Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, $11.38; walmart.com 
• Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, $20.61; target.com

Best All-Purpose Cleaner: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid All Purpose Cleaner Spray

For heavily trafficked surfaces, our favorite all-purpose cleaner is the Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Spray. It smells fresh and clean and helps loosen stuck-on grime so you can wipe it away. One of our favorite parts about this product is that once you finish it, you can buy smaller tubes of concentrate and mix it with water to refill and reuse the same bottle.

Size: 16 oz  | Use: Cleaning hard surfaces  | Scented? Yes 

Other All-Purpose Cleaners We Like: 

• Clorox All Purpose Cleaner, $3.98; walmart.com 
• Method All Purpose Surface Cleaner, $4.29; target.com 
• Formula 409 Multi-Surface Cleaner, $4.98; homedepot.com
• Mr. Clean Clean Freak Multi-Surface Spray, $5.94; walmart.com 
• Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner Spray, $5.48; homedepot.com
  

Best Stove Top Cleaner: Weiman Glass Cooktop Cleaner and Polish

Removing crusty grease splatters and month-old tomato sauce stains from a cooktop can feel like an impossible task — but with the right cleaning solution, it’s a lot easier than you’d think. We love the Weiman Glass Cooktop Cleaner and Polish for how well the liquid formula removes dried spills, and we appreciate the polishing and scraping accessory that comes with it. We only had to apply it once onto our dirty glass stovetop; no rinsing and reapplying needed to reveal a like-new, shiny surface. And don’t let the price scare you — the $19 cost includes a polishing and scraping tool, but you can also buy just the solution alone for $5. 

Size: 10 oz  | Use: Cleaning glass and ceramic cooktop surfaces  | Scented? No

Other Stove Top Cleaners We Like: 

• Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner, $10.98; homedepot.com
• Easy-off Cooktop Cleaner, $5.29; target.com
• Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Cooktop Cleaner, $11; amazon.com
  

Best Stainless Steel Cleaner: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish Spray

Of all the sprays we’ve tried, nothing removes fingerprints and grime quite as well as the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. Application is easy — just spray on and wipe off to reveal a sparkling stainless steel surface. The reason this one stands out from the rest is that not only does it immediately remove smudges from surfaces — it also protects against future smudging to keep your surface shining for longer. We do find that because the spray leaves a protective coating behind, spraying another surface cleaner on top in the next few days after application can leave some unwanted streaks. But it’s nothing that another spritz of Weimen Stainless cleaner can’t fix! 

Size: 22 oz  | Use: Cleans, shines, and protects stainless steel surfaces from smudges | Scented? No

Other Stainless Steel Cleaners We Like: 

• 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Spray, $20.30; amazon.com
• Kohler Stainless Steel Cleaner, $7.12; amazon.com
• Sprayway Stainless Steel Cleaner Aerosol Spray, $4.74; walmart.com
• Method Stainless Steel Clean + Polish, $6.79; target.com
  

Best Granite Cleaner: Weiman Granite and Stone Daily Clean and Shine with Disinfectant

Another win for Weiman — the brand’s Granite and Stone Daily Clean and Shine solution shines up countertops without the need for a lot of elbow grease. A little bit goes a long way and leaves granite or quartz surface sparkling clean. We also love that the spray includes disinfectant, so it kills the germs off heavily used surfaces like kitchen islands while also polishing them. The only thing we’d change about the spray is that we wish it came in a few different scents that we could choose from. Otherwise, this granite cleaner is a great value. 

Size: 24 oz  | Use: Disinfects and shines non-porous sealed granite, sealed marble, sealed limestone, sealed slate, and glazed tile  | Scented? Yes

Other Granite Cleaners We Like: 

• Method Daily Granite Liquid Cleaner, $6.99; target.com
• Granite Gold Daily Cleaner, $4.96; walmart.com
• Stone Care Granite and Stone Daily Cleaner, $9.98; homedepot.com
• Zep Granite and Stone Cleaner and Protectant, $4.40; homedepot.com

Best Mop: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket Floor Cleaning System

The O-Cedar EasyWring mop is the best we’ve tested, and trust us, we’ve tested a lot of mops. What makes it sweep away the competition (or, eh, mop away?): It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and super absorbent. We also love the self-swirling bucket that’s controlled with a convenient foot pedal. Even after passing over big spills of both wet and dry debris, the O-Cedar mop left the floor spotless without a trace of residue in our tests. There are no additional spin mops we'd recommend at this time — this one is the best.

Type: Mop and bucket | Dimensions: 19.5 x 11.5 x 13.35 inches

Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom is always my least favorite chore. There are so many different types of surfaces to clean and disinfect — and so many different products that claim to get the job done better than the rest! That’s why we rounded up the best products for every bathroom cleaning need, from the toilet to the shower to grout. Keep reading to discover the best bathroom cleaning sprays and solutions for every part of your commode.

Best Soap Scum Remover: Scrub Free with OxiClean Soap Scum Bathroom Cleaner

One of the most challenging bathroom tasks to tackle is removing stuck-on soap scum. “When it comes to soap scum, having the right tools is essential!” says cleaning expert Auri Katariina. Our favorite solution is the Scrub Free with OxiClean because it effectively removes soap scum with very little scrubbing and leaves behind a fresh and clean scent. Make your cleaning even easier by using it with your electric scrubber.

The solution comes out of the bottle as a liquid and quickly foams up as it breaks through soap scum and hard-water buildup. It also works on a variety of surfaces, including ceramic, glass, plastic, tile, and vinyl. We do wish that it also came in an unscented version for people who are sensitive to strong cleaning smells, but most hard-core cleaning solutions smell worse than this one, in our opinion. 

Size: 32 oz  | Use: Removes soap scum and hard water stains on ceramic, fiberglass, glass, plastic, tile, and vinyl  | Scented? Yes

Other Soap Scum Removers We Like: 

• Tilex Soap Scum Remover & Disinfectant Smart Tube Spray, $10.98; amazon.com
• Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter Disinfectant, $4.49; target.com
• OxiClean Bathroom Cleaner, $8.48; homedepot.com
  

Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel

Who knew that one little bottle of toilet cleaner could be so, well, smart? Lyson really thought of everything when they came up with the Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel: from the angled tip that makes it easier to apply up under the rim and around the bowl to the bright blue formula that makes it easy to see where the product has and hasn’t been applied. The gel formula clings to the sides of the toilet bowl and easily removes stains to leave your porcelain thrown looking brand new. Plus, it’s very well-priced compared to other toilet bowl cleaners on the market. 

Size: 24 oz  | Use: Removes stains and rings on toilet bowls | Scented? Yes

Other Toilet Bowl Cleaners We Like: 

• Clorox ToiletWand System, $12.39; target.com
• Scrubbing Bubbles Bubbly Bleach Gel, $1.99; target.com
• Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner, $5.99; amazon.com

Best Tub & Tile Cleaner: Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

When we’re looking to disinfect a surface like a bathtub or bathroom floor, we want a cleaning solution that is strong and works well the first time. That’s why we love the Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, which sprays onto surfaces to effectively kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and germs. We love the confidence that it gives us that our surfaces are actually clean and germ-free and that it doesn’t make surfaces that we stand on feel slippery. The spray also removes mold and mildew to leave showers, bathtubs, and tiles looking and feeling cleaner. This product does have a pretty strong chemical-like smell, but we like knowing that it’s really killing bacteria and mold on heavily touched surfaces (plus, this formula is actually bleach-free). 

Size: 30 oz  | Use: Disinfects and removes surface grime on hard, non-porous surfaces | Scented? No

Other Tub and Tile Cleaners We Like: 

• Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter Cleaner, $4.49; lowes.com
• Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner, $4.49; target.com
• Method Bathroom Cleaner, $4.79; target.com
• Mrs. Meyer's Tub & Tile Cleaner, $5.24; amazon.com
  

Best Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Ultra Gel Clog Remover

Any household with long-haired residents knows the pain of removing tangled clumps of hair (and other disgustingly unidentifiable things) from bathroom drains. Drano Max Ultra Gel Clog makes that process so much less disgusting — no drain snake required. The bleach formula is safe for most pipes, including PVC and metal, and also works in garbage disposals and septic systems. Plus, it also helps prevent future corrosion. 

Size: 80 oz | Use: Dissolves drain clogs in PVC pipes, metal pipes, garbage disposals, and septic tanks | Scented? No

Other Drain Cleaners We Like: 

• Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Gel, $5.49; amazon.com
• Green Gobbler Liquid Drain Clog Remover, $11.84; walmart.com
• Instant Power Hair & Grease Drain Opener, $9.97; homedepot.com

Best Mold Remover: Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover

Getting rid of mold often requires more than just a standard cleaning solution. To prevent mold regrowth and get rid of existing mold without staining, we turn to Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover. Like all other mold removers we’ve tried, this one requires a few applications to really get to work. We’ve also found that this solution removes mold stains that other products won’t, which is why the Zep solution is better than the rest. The only thing we’d change about this spray is the smell, which has a strong bleach odor. But then again, so do the rest of the mold-clearing solutions we’ve encountered. 

Size: 32 oz  | Use: Dissolves mold and mildew on acrylic, ceramic tile, porcelain, and corian surfaces | Scented? No

Other Mold Removers We Like: 

• Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover, $6.78; homedepot.com
• Moldex Mold Killer, $9.84; homdepot.com
• Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew, & Algae Stain Remover Multi-Surface Cleaner, $32.93; walmart.com
  

Best Grout Cleaner: Stardrops The Pink Stuff

The Pink Stuff is practically famous among cleaning professionals (and amateurs like myself) for how easily it transforms dirty grout into looking as good as the first day it was laid. Without much scrubbing, the paste formula removes dirt, grime, and buildup from grout lines. It’s also safe to use on lots of different surfaces — I personally use it to remove burnt food remnants from my steel stovetop, but I’ve also heard that it makes a great jewelry cleaner. The Pink Stuff also won’t scratch glass, metal, or porcelain, so it really is a do-it-all stain remover! 

Size: 17.63 oz  | Use: Removes stains and buildup from grout, metal, ceramics, porcelain, marble, wood, silverware, jewelry, countertops, toilets, and more | Scented? No

Other Grout Cleaners We Like: 

• Zep Grout Cleaner and Brightener, $7.58; walmart.com
• Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner, $7.08; amazon.com
• Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner, $19.98; amazon.com

Bedroom

So many different kinds of surfaces exist in your bedroom — carpets, windows, and hardwood, oh my! — so finding the right solution for each surface can be dizzying. We want your floorboards to shine, your air to smell fresh, and your windows to let in all of the natural light. So, we found the best wood polish, room deodorizers, glass cleaners, affordable vacuums, and more.

Best Room Deodorizer: Febreze Air Effects Odor-Fighting Air Freshener

When we think of air freshener, the first thing we think of is a bottle of Febreze spray. It quickly eliminates foul odors and replaces them with one of its many fresh scent options. It’s affordable, easy, and super customizable with so many scents to choose from. We also love that the scents can be sprayed onto fabrics, furniture, and carpets. We do wish the scents were a little longer lasting, but with how affordable the spray is compared to other room deodorizers on the market, we still think this one is a great value. 

Size: 8.8 oz  | Use: Fights bad odors and replaces them with fresh scents | Scented? Yes

Other Room Deodorizers We Like: 

• Glade Air Freshener Room Spray, $10.29; target.com
• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Room Freshener, $5.49; target.com
• Poo-pourri Odor Eliminating Spray, $9.99; target.com
  

Best All Purpose Wipes: Clorox Compostable Cleaning Wipes

To wipe off a nightstand, quickly clean a window sill, or clean any other surface around the house, we always turn to Clorox. The Clorox Free & Clear Compostable wipes are more eco-friendly than non-composable wipes and provide peace of mind for homes with kids because they don’t use any dyes, bleach, or ammonia. These wipes are great for removing dust or dirt from different hard surfaces, including hardwood and glass, and are a generally convenient cleaning solution to keep in your cabinet. 

Size: 75 wipes  | Use: Removes grime from hard surfaces including acrylic, fiberglass, hardwood, granite, and vinyl | Scented? Yes

Other All Purpose Wipes We Like: 

• Pledge Multi Surface Wipes, $4.67; walmart.com
• Method All Purpose Cleaning Wipes, $28.08; amazon.com
• Armor All Cleaning Wipes, $5.68; homedepot.com
• Simple Green All Purpose Wipes, $5.23; homedepot.com
  

Best Carpet Shampoo: OxiClean Large Area Deep Clean Carpet Cleaner

Knocking over a glass of red wine on your carpet is no longer a cause for panic when armed with OxiClean Carpet Cleaner. This solution quickly removes even the toughest stains, including wine, coffee, food, and dirt. The Large Area Deep Clean liquid is a powerful tool to have on hand, and we especially recommend it for people with kids or dogs. It also leaves behind a nice scent that’s not overly strong. 

Size: 75 wipes  | Use: Removes strains from carpets and soft surfaces like couches and pillows | Scented? Yes

Other Carpet Shampoos We Like: 

• Bissell Advanced Pro Max Clean + Protect Deep Cleaning Carpet Cleaner, $20.98; walmart.com
• Hoover Paws & Claws Carpet Cleaning Formula, $21.99; target.com
• Nature's Miracle Advanced Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo, $16.99; amazon.com

Best Floor Cleaner: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

When your home is blessed with gorgeous hardwood floors, the best way to keep them shining in all their glory is to use the right floor cleaner. Our favorite is the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, which effortlessly polishes wood floors while removing dust and dirt. The solution dries down quickly and doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue, so you can get back to buzzing about quickly. 

Size: 32 oz.  | Use: Shines and cleans wood floors | Scented? No

Other Floor Cleaners We Like: 

• Swiffer WetJet Multi-Purpose Floor Cleaner Solution, $10.99; amazon.com
• Bona Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner, $6.94; walmart.com
• Mr. Clean Finished Floor Cleaner, $31.70; walmart.com
  

Best Upright Vacuum: Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

We’ve tested so many vacuum cleaners in our lab (we mean hundreds) that we consider ourselves to be experts on the subject. So, you can trust us when we say that the Shark Navigator upright vacuum is really, really good. It works equally well on both carpet and hard flooring and was easy to set up right out of the box. The upright vacuum also has a HEPA filter that catches floating particles while you vacuum, and it has strong enough suction to pick up any mess we pulled it over in just one pass. 

Type: Corded Upright | Dimensions: 45.66 x 9.64 x 12 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Filter Type: HEPA | Capacity: 9 quarts | Cord Length: 25 feet | Included Accessories: Crevice Tool, dusting brush, Turbo brush

Best Cordless Stick Vacuum: Belife BVC12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Listen, we’ll be the first to admit that Dyson cordless vacuums are amazing tools. But, in all of our stick vacuum testing, we’ve found that there are actually lots of more affordable options that perform well for a fraction of the cost. The Belife cordless vacuum is one of the best we’ve tried, and it’s available on Amazon for less than $150. It has a 45-minute battery life, so you can clean every room in the house before needing to recharge it. It has a touchscreen display and great suction power. Plus, after three months of extended testing, the brush head never tangled with pet hair and continued to be impressively easy to maneuver around furniture. 

Battery life: 45 minutes | Charge Time: 1 hour | Weight: 1.78 pounds | Included attachments: Removable hand vacuum, mini-motorized pet brush, hard floor attachment, 2-in-1 crevice tool, extension tube

Best Glass Cleaner: Windex Glass & Window Spray

The difference that clean, streak-proof windows can make on a room’s natural lighting is shocking. The best cleaning solution that we’ve used to achieve sparkling clear windows is the Windex Glass & Window Spray. It doesn’t leave streaks like some other glass cleaners we’ve tried, and removes smudges, fingerprints, and dirt in just one swipe. Bonus points: it also works wonders on stainless steel appliances and microwaves. 

Size: 23 oz.  | Use: Removes smudges and dirt from windows, mirrors, and other shiny surfaces | Scented? No

Things to Consider Before Buying Cleaning Products

Surface

The first (and probably most crucial) step in finding the right cleaning solution for your needs is figuring out what kind of surface you’re going to be cleaning. Most cleaning solutions are designed to work best on certain surface materials, so what works best for removing smudge marks from a window might not be the best choice for disinfecting your toilet. 

Another important reason to use the right solution on its designated surface is to ensure that you don’t damage your surface. Certain chemicals are too harsh for broad use, especially on delicate surfaces like hardwood. We recommend sticking to designated uses listed on the product’s label — for something like hardwood floors, use a wood cleaner like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. 

Soil-Level 

Generally, deeper messes require stronger formulas. For stubborn marks caused by something like mold, harsher chemicals are often required to eradicate the stain fully (we grab the Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover to get the job done). But, for lighter messes that don’t need such strong solutions, you can use products that don’t have as many harsh chemicals or the headache-inducing odor that comes with those intense solutions. For daily dirt and grime, the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid All Purpose Cleaner Spray is a gentle solution that leaves behind a fresh scent and is safe to use on countertops and food surfaces. 

Cost

One of the great things about buying cleaning products is that some of the best-performing solutions are actually the most budget-friendly. Depending on what kind of liquid cleaning product you’re buying, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $21 — but make sure to look at how much each solution costs per ounce because oftentimes, the larger product that initially costs more may actually be a better value than a smaller, less expensive solution.

How We Tested

To determine which cleaning products, solutions, and disinfectants are truly the best of the best, we compiled survey responses from 3,216 PEOPLE testers who use and love each cleaning product, from the best spray they've used to wipe down countertops to the best solution for shining stainless steel appliances. We asked our testers about which products they used regularly, how often they used the products, and how effective each product was. We also asked for their thoughts on the product's scent and whether they considered each product to be a good value for its price. We pulled together all of these survey insights to bring you the best cleaning products for every purpose and space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I motivate myself to clean? 

This is a great question — and one that I asked professional cleaner Auri Katariina. She has over 20 million followers who tune in to her cleaning content on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok. “Set a timer for 15 minutes every day and tackle as much cleaning as you can within that time frame,” Auri suggests. “It’s a fun and quick way to make progress!”

What is the strongest cleaning agent? 

There are two cleaning agents that are considered to be the “strongest” (a.k.a. most effective at killing germs): alcohol and bleach. Alcohol is effective at eliminating flu viruses and does a good job at disinfecting multiple kinds of hard surfaces but is also flammable and can damage surfaces, so it should be used with caution. Bleach is also very effective at killing bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but can be irritating to the skin and airways and should also be used with caution. 

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE with over two years of experience writing about and testing countless cleaning solutions, from vacuum cleaners to stain removers and everything in between. For this story, Cai consulted an extensive research survey conducted by the PEOPLE Testing lab on the most popular cleaning solutions for every room. Cai also spoke with professional cleaner Auri Katariina, who has over 20 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, for her tips on deep cleaning transformations.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.