Cleaning
Surface cleaners and supplies for the rest of the house.
What we look at
- Active ingredients
- Disinfectant efficacy claims
- Surface compatibility
- Certifications
In this category
All-Purpose Cleaner
General-use spray cleaner for everyday surfaces.
Disinfectants
Sprays and wipes registered to kill germs on surfaces.
Floor Cleaner
Cleaner formulated for hardwood, tile, laminate, or multi-surface floors.
Glass Cleaner
Streak-free cleaner for windows and mirrors.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Cleaner and descaler for toilet bowls.
Everything in Cleaning
Glass CleanerWhat's in Glass Cleaner? Five Labels Read
Five glass cleaner ingredient lists, read from each brand's own page: what the glucosides, alcohol and vinegar do, and which three say they leave out ammonia.
All-Purpose CleanerCleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Are Three Different Claims
EPA defines cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting as three separate things, and registers products for only two of them. What each word on a bottle means.
Floor CleanerCan You Use a Steam Mop on Hardwood Floors?
The National Wood Flooring Association says steam mops and wet mops damage a wood floor's finish over time. What it and one floor-care maker say to use instead.
DisinfectantsHow Long a Disinfectant Has to Stay Wet to Work
EPA says a disinfectant works only while the surface stays visibly wet for its label's contact time. Where the number is, and what to do if it dries early.
All-Purpose CleanerBest All-Purpose Cleaner for Homes With Pets
Three all-purpose cleaners compared on what each brand's page says about use around pets. One label states it, one FAQ answers it, one only cautions. Our pick.
All-Purpose CleanerBest Multi-Surface Cleaner
Four all-purpose cleaners compared on what each brand says it is safe on, what it discloses, and what it certifies. One names the surfaces to keep it off.
All-Purpose CleanerWhat the EPA Safer Choice Label Actually Certifies
Safer Choice means EPA screened every ingredient against published hazard criteria and confirmed the product cleans about as well as a conventional one.
Toilet Bowl CleanerWhich Cleaning Products Are Safe for Septic Systems
There is no federal "septic safe" certification like Safer Choice. EPA guidance on what not to pour down the drain is the closest thing to an official standard.