The 10 Best Kitchen Cleaners

These hard-working products will have your kitchen sparkling in no time

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Best Kitchen Cleaners

The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley

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.

Here, the best kitchen cleaners to add to your shopping list.

In This Article

Best Overall

Lemi Shine Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

Lemi Shine Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Natural, fresh lemon scent

  • Kills bacteria and germs

What We Don't Like
  • May leave a sticky residue if not properly wiped

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.

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.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best Cabinet Cleaner

Rejuvenate Cabinet and Furniture Cleaner

Rejuvenate Cabinet and Furniture Cleaner

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Fresh lemon scent

  • Special formula won’t damage wood

What We Don't Like
  • Requires some elbow grease

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. 

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. 

Price at time of publish: $7

Best Grease Cleaner

Zep Heavy Duty Foaming Citrus Degreaser

zep-heavy-duty-foaming-citrus-degreaser

Courtesy of The Home Depot

What We Like
  • Fresh lemon scent

  • Clings to vertical surfaces

  • Can be used on most surfaces

What We Don't Like
  • Not suitable for heavy buildup

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. 

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.

Price at time of publish: $6

Best Drain Cleaner

Rockwell Labs InVade Bio Drain Gel

Rockwell Labs InVade Bio Drain Gel

Amazon

What We Like
  • Sweet orange smell

  • Naturally derived active ingredient

What We Don't Like
  • So thick that it can be hard to rinse through

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. 

Price at time of publish: $18

Best Polish

Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser

Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser

Amazon

What We Like
  • Powerful

  • Multi-surface

What We Don't Like
  • Container is hard to squeeze

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. 

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.

Price at time of publish: $8

Best Floor Cleaner

Aunt Fannie's Vinegar Floor Cleaner

Aunt Fannie's Vinegar Floor Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Natural

  • A little goes a long way

What We Don't Like
  • Smells like vinegar

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.)

Price at time of publish: $12

Best Counter Cleaner

Branch Basics The Concentrate

4.8
Branch Basics The Concentrate

Branch Basics

What We Like
  • A little goes a long way

  • Creates many different types of cleaner

  • Greener solution

What We Don't Like
  • Have to mix it yourself

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. 

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.

Price at time of publish: $55

Best Sink Cleaner

Hope's Perfect Sink Cleaner & Polish

hopes-perfect-sink

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Cleans and shines

  • Helps extend time between cleanings

What We Don't Like
  • Waterproofing could last longer

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. 

As a bonus, you can also use the formula to clean brushed stainless steel, cast iron, Corian, composite, acrylic, and vitreous china.

Price at time of publish: $17

Best Anti-Bacterial

Microban 24-Hour Sanitizing Spray

Microban 24-Hour Sanitizing Spray

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Works for 24 hours

  • Disinfects

What We Don't Like
  • Spray gets clogged sometimes

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.

Price at time of publish: $13

Best Cleaning Cloths

Simple Houseware Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Simple Houseware Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Highly absorbent

  • Super soft

  • Plenty of variety

What We Don't Like
  • A bit small

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.

Price at time of publish: $30

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.

Updated by
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani is a freelance garden and food writer and editor, translator, and content strategist. 
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Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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