The Best Cleaning Supplies of 2026, According to Testers and Allergists

This one can stand up to oil, grease, coffee, mud, and even wine. It’s a great option for people with kids or anyone who is tough on their clothes. The best part? It really works.

“What else could you ask for in a stain remover?” says writer and editor Nicole Bonaccorso. “I like the foaminess of this; it really looks like it's working. You can rub it in and let it sit for tough stains before throwing it into the laundry machine.” We love that it comes in an eco-friendly bottle — an 80% reduction in plastic, according to the company — with refills available to reduce waste.

I debated about whether I wanted to publicly own up to feeling excited about a toilet bowl cleaner, but I’m committed to telling the truth: This one genuinely made me rethink everything I thought I knew about cleaning a toilet. It makes the experience … pleasant? Instead of filling the bathroom with a strong bleachy aroma, this one smells like cassis, tuberose, and birch, leaving the bathroom smelling like spring air.

It’s a powder cleanser that took a little getting used to, but it’s ultimately easy to use. You drop two scoops in, swirl it with the toilet brush, wait a few minutes, and flush.

When you sprinkle the powder into the bowl, it fizzes and dissolves. The enzymes immediately start breaking down stains and other buildup, making it easier to scrub away. At the same time, the probiotics stick around on the surface and keep working even after you flush, helping prevent new grime and odors from building up. I noticed my toilet stayed cleaner for longer.

If you’re looking to overhaul your cleaning supplies, buying a starter kit like this one from Branch Basics is a great option. It includes a cleaning solution concentrate, an oxygen boost to pair with the concentrate for especially deep cleans and stains, laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets, and refillable plastic or glass bottles (your choice).

“I like that these products are safe for kids and pets. They're fragrance-free, a big plus for me since I'm sensitive to scents,” says Bonaccorso. The set also comes with an all-purpose cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, and a hand soap. The concentrate is mixed with water in different amounts to create a glass cleaner, she says.

Some people may be intimidated by a concentrate, but it’s actually very intuitive. Using each bottle, fill the concentrate to the “soap” line, top with water, and shake.

I questioned my life choices a little after purchasing this pricey cleaning spray, but those feelings dissolved (along with the grime on my countertops) as soon as I got it.

The brand, founded by Courteney Cox, uses upcycled, plant-derived, and skin care–grade ingredients whenever possible. So you know they’re safe, even if you get some solution on your skin while cleaning. Made with coconut-derived cleaning agents, it’s designed to lift dirt, grease, and smudges on nonporous surfaces.

I’ve tried both the Neroli and Cece scents, and my personal favorite is Cece. It smells slightly smoky and spicy, like a high-end hotel; it’s the only cleaner I’ve ever used where I thought I’d like to wear it as a fragrance. (Homecourt does sell a candle, linen spray, and room deodorant in the same scent.)

The scents are powerful, and sometimes I water down the formula a little, which makes it last longer. The price tag is eye-watering, but the brand sells refills, which makes it a little more palatable.

This is the one product my housekeeper always asks me to have on hand, because it does it all. It’s a bleach-free, acidic cleaner that removes everything from rust and tarnish to caked-on food.

The idea is to mix this powder cleanser with water to form a paste that you can use on ceramics, stainless steel, glass, and more. (I use it as my cooktop cleaner.)

“I love this stuff,” says writer and editor Katie Tuttle. “It makes my stainless steel cookware and my copper mugs look like new. It annihilates soap scum on my bathtub. It makes my grody sink sparkle. It chips away at the caked-on grime on the burner covers on my gas stove. Bar Keeper's Friend is generally amazing.”

If you have asthma or are sensitive to fragrance, this is a good choice. “Many people think a strong smell equals cleaner, but in reality, fragrance is one of the biggest triggers for airway irritation and headaches,” says Dr. Aujnarain. A basic, fragrance-free cleaner that’s used consistently is often better than using multiple harsh products, she says.

Just be aware that this cleaner shouldn’t be used on natural stone, porous, or painted surfaces. It should be kept out of reach of children and pets, too.

This is made with plant- and mineral-derived ingredients and organic essential oils. It’s tough on grease but surprisingly gentle on your hands, so it doesn’t leave them feeling tight and dry, even after scrubbing a sink full of dishes in hot water. It’s biodegradable, septic-safe, and free from harsh chemicals.

“I love the smell. Most dish soaps smell really synthetic, but this one has a very fresh and natural scent,” says writer Alexandra Klausner. “The eucalyptus and rosemary notes made washing dishes feel more like aromatherapy. I also love the pump, which makes it easy to add soap to a sponge or dish.” It’s also available in a Lavender and Lemongrass scent and unscented. 

These wipes will be your go-to’s for everyday messes that don’t require you to bust out a spray bottle and a rag. Unlike other wipes that aren’t recyclable, you don’t have to feel guilty about using these. They’re plant-based, biodegradable, and free of microplastics.

They’re still hardworking, though. Take it from Tuttle: “I used these wipes to clean off my kitchen stove, and they really blew me away. [They] cut through old grease and food stains immediately, leaving no residue. I was skeptical that botanical wipes could do that, but they worked so well.”

Note that these wipes, along with many plant-based products, don’t have antibacterial properties. So they shouldn’t be used to clean up after cooking raw meat, for example.

These wipes are available in natural scents like Santal Escape, Neroli Dream, Lavender Ease, and Fragrance-Free. The scents are derived from essential oils.(There’s also an unscented option.) The brand offers a chic dispenser you can leave on your counter, too.

If you’re looking to swap your paper towel habit (guilty) with something more sustainable, these Swedish dishcloths are for you. They’re made with cotton and plant-based fibers, can hold up to 15 times their weight in water (so they’re highly absorbent), and are completely compostable. They can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine, and simply laid flat to dry. And unlike paper towels, they can last up to nine months.

Plus, they come in the chicest prints. “The designs of these Swedish cloths are so cute. I'd buy them again just for that. They're also super-soft and easy to clean off,” says editor Ally Hirshlag.

This is one of those cleaning products I actually enjoy using because it smells good and takes about five seconds to apply. It’s a “spray and walk away” formula: All you do is spray down the shower when you’re done showering yourself. It helps prevent soap scum from building up, so you can lay your squeegee to rest.

The real perk is that because this helps stop grime behind the scenes, you’ll end up cleaning your shower less often. This is a game-changer for me as someone with a glass shower.

It’s also available in a ylang ylang scent, though I love the freshness of the eucalyptus-mint version. The formula is plant-based and nontoxic, and it’s safe for most sealed surfaces, such as tile and glass.

I love a multipurpose product like this that can be used anywhere, from the washing machine to the shower to my outdoor furniture. As the name suggests, the formula removes calcium, lime, and rust, and it’s great for use in places where hard water builds up. It’s safe for white grout (it will stain colored grout), porcelain, glass, chrome, fiberglass, and stainless steel.

This product works very well. I used it as a bathroom cleaner and was shocked by how clean it got my shower. One thing to note is that the product should be mixed at a 50/50 ratio with warm water and left on a surface for up to two minutes. While it’s technically unscented, it has a noticeable odor that, to me, smells like maple syrup.