The Best All Purpose Cleaners of 2024

If your cleaning cabinet looks like a chemistry lab and smells like a swimming pool, it might be time for a 2024 upgrade. The good news: you can absolutely get a streak-free, disinfected, great-smelling home without choking on harsh fumes or wondering what’s in that neon-green liquid.

This year, “best all purpose cleaner” doesn’t just mean “gets the spaghetti sauce off the stove.” It also means safer ingredients, fewer VOCs, less plastic, refill systems, and third-party certifications that prove the brand is doing more than just slapping “green” on the label.

Below, we’ll break down how to choose a nontoxic all-purpose cleaner, then walk through some of the top-performing options of 2024 from concentrates that replace a dozen bottles to zero-waste tablets and classic spray cleaners you can grab at the grocery store.

Why Your All-Purpose Cleaner Choice Matters in 2024

Conventional multi-surface sprays often contain ingredients that can irritate eyes, lungs, and skin especially for people with asthma, allergies, or small kids crawling on freshly cleaned floors. Analyses of mainstream cleaners show that certain solvents, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives can contribute to indoor air pollution and may be linked to respiratory irritation and other health concerns.

At the same time, the phrase “non-toxic” on a bottle is mostly a marketing term. It isn’t tightly regulated, and products using that claim can still contain ingredients that environmental and health organizations flag as problematic. That’s why many experts recommend looking beyond buzzwords and focusing on full ingredient disclosure and independent ratings from groups that evaluate both safety and performance.

On the environmental side, cleaning products also contribute to plastic waste and water use. Concentrates, refill tablets, and bulk formats can dramatically cut down the number of single-use bottles your household sends to the landfill, while thoughtfully chosen surfactants and plant-based solvents break down more readily once they go down the drain.

What Makes a “Best Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaner”?

To narrow down the huge market of all-purpose cleaners, most modern guides and product testers focus on a few big criteria:

1. Safer Ingredients

Look for formulas that avoid or minimize:

• Chlorine bleach and ammonia
• Phthalates and other problematic plasticizers (often hiding in “fragrance”)
• Harsh solvents known to irritate lungs, eyes, or skin
• Unnecessary dyes and optical brighteners

Instead, better non-toxic options lean on plant-derived surfactants, minerals like baking soda, and mild acids like citric acid. Many brands also rely on essential oil blends or very simple fragrance components instead of complex synthetic perfume cocktails.

2. Trusted Third-Party Certifications

Because label claims can be confusing, certifications help you quickly spot products that have been vetted by someone other than the marketing department. Common ones you’ll see on leading nontoxic all-purpose cleaners include:

• EWG VERIFIED™ or top-tier grades from ingredient-safety databases
• EPA Safer Choice, which screens for ingredients considered safer for human health and the environment
• MADE SAFE® or similar standards that exclude known or suspected toxins
• Leaping Bunny or cruelty-free logos for no animal testing

3. Real-World Performance

All the eco-cred in the world doesn’t matter if the spray can’t handle dried oatmeal on the high chair. Independent lab tests and editorial reviews typically look at how well an all-purpose cleaner tackles:

• Grease and food splatters on stoves and countertops
• Soap scum on bathroom surfaces
• Fingerprints and smudges on stainless steel and sealed wood
• Everyday grime on walls, baseboards, and light switches

The best nontoxic cleaners keep up with conventional products in these tests while being gentler to use and easier on indoor air quality.

4. Sustainability and Packaging

Another big 2024 trend: ditching heavy, mostly-water cleaners in favor of concentrates and tablets. These systems reduce shipping weight, lower carbon emissions, and cut down dramatically on plastic bottles. Brands that use glass or durable reusable plastic bottles with concentrated refills get bonus points from both eco groups and home organizers who are tired of cluttered cabinets.

Top Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaners of 2024

There’s no single “best” for every person and every surface, so this list focuses on standout products in different categories from subscription concentrates to store-shelf staples.

1. Branch Basics Concentrate – Best Overall Cleaning System

Type: Highly concentrated liquid; you dilute it into separate spray bottles for all-purpose, bathroom, glass, and even laundry.

Branch Basics is frequently highlighted by non-toxic living bloggers and eco-friendly product roundups as a go-to “once and done” solution. You start with one bottle of concentrate, then mix it with water to create multiple cleaners in labeled bottles. The formula is plant- and mineral-based, fragrance-free, and designed to be especially gentle for families with chemical sensitivities.

Why it’s great: It drastically simplifies your product lineup; one jug can replace a dozen products, from counter spray to floor cleaner. Because it’s fragrance-free, it plays nicely with sensitive noses and doesn’t clash with other scents in your home.

Keep in mind: You must follow the dilution instructionsusing it too strong can waste product and may leave residue, while mixing it too weak can affect cleaning power. There’s a small learning curve, but once you dial it in, it’s low-stress and cost-effective.

2. AspenClean All-Purpose Cleaner – Best for Sensitive Users

Type: Ready-to-use spray (also available as concentrates and bundles).

AspenClean is a favorite in guides that focus on truly low-tox or stone-safe cleaners, thanks to its short ingredient lists and strong safety scores from independent databases. Its all-purpose spray is formulated without synthetic fragrances, using essential oils in select versions and avoiding common irritants that can bother people with asthma or allergies.

Why it’s great: It combines strong performance with stringent ingredient standards and is often recommended for homes with babies, pets, or anyone who wants a cleaner that’s both effective and very transparent about what’s inside.

Keep in mind: The scent (if you choose a scented version) is from essential oils, which some ultra-sensitive users may still want to test on a small area first.

3. Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner – Best Grocery Store Find

Type: Ready-to-use spray, widely available in supermarkets, big-box stores, and online.

If you prefer to grab your cleaner along with your weekly groceries, Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear all-purpose spray is one of the more accessible nontoxic options. It uses plant-based surfactants and avoids synthetic fragrances and dyes, aiming for a safer profile than traditional blue-glass cleaners while still cutting through everyday grease and grime.

Why it’s great: You don’t have to special-order it, and it tends to be priced competitively with mainstream brands. It’s an easy “first swap” if you’re transitioning your home to safer cleaners one product at a time.

Keep in mind: As with most ready-to-use sprays, you’re paying to ship water. If you want the lowest cost per ounce or the least packaging, a concentrate may be a better long-term pick.

4. ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner – Best Safer Choice Brand

Type: Ready-to-use spray and professional-sized jugs; many formulas carry the EPA Safer Choice label.

ECOS has become a go-to brand for consumers and institutions that want Safer Choice–certified cleaning products. The company offers a huge lineup of certified formulas, and their all-purpose cleaners are designed for everyday use on counters, appliances, sealed wood, and more. The brand has been recognized multiple times as a Safer Choice Partner of the Year, which signals ongoing commitment to safer chemistry and transparent ingredients.

Why it’s great: You get a trusted certification plus a brand that focuses heavily on plant-derived surfactants and sustainable manufacturing practices. For many households, ECOS strikes a strong balance between performance, price, and peace of mind.

Keep in mind: Some versions are lightly scented with plant-based fragrances. If you’re extremely scent-sensitive, look for unscented or “free & clear” options in the line.

5. Simple Green Safer Choice All-Purpose Cleaner – Best Budget Workhorse

Type: Concentrated liquid and ready-to-use sprays; several formulas are EPA Safer Choice products.

Simple Green has been around for decades as a heavy-duty cleaner, and newer Safer Choice–certified all-purpose formulas bring that cleaning reputation into the low-tox space. These cleaners are designed for use on most washable surfaces, from countertops and walls to outdoor furniture, and the concentrated options let you customize strength based on the job.

Why it’s great: The concentrates offer strong value, especially if you have a large home or like to clean bigger areas like garages and patios. The Safer Choice label gives you a clearer sense of ingredient screening than older “industrial” style cleaners.

Keep in mind: Stick to indoor, household formulas for everyday use; some heavy-duty versions are designed more for outdoor or garage grime and may be overkill for daily kitchen wipe-downs.

6. Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner – Best for Food-Contact Surfaces

Type: Ready-to-use vinegar-based spray.

Vinegar-based cleaners have long been a DIY favorite, and Aunt Fannie’s brings that simplicity into a ready-made bottle. The formula leans on vinegar plus a short list of additional plant-based cleaners, and it’s popular in guides that prioritize extremely short ingredient lists and strong safety scores.

Why it’s great: It’s a natural fit for kitchens, high chairs, and cutting boards (always follow the manufacturer’s directions) because the ingredients read more like a pantry than a lab. People also love the way it cuts through mineral deposits, fingerprints, and greasy smudges without synthetic fragrances.

Keep in mind: Vinegar is not ideal for natural stone like marble or some sealed granite, as the acidity can etch the surface over time. Use a stone-safe cleaner for those areas and save the vinegar spray for tile, sealed wood, laminate, and stainless steel.

7. Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner Tablets – Best Zero-Waste Option

Type: Solid tablets you dissolve in water to create a spray cleaner.

For households serious about cutting plastic waste, refill tablets are a smart option. Meliora’s all-purpose cleaner tablets are made with a short, carefully vetted ingredient list and packaged in low-waste materials. You simply drop a tablet into a reusable bottle, add water, wait for it to dissolve, and you’re ready to clean.

Why it’s great: You drastically reduce the number of bottles in your recycling bin, and storage is much easier than stacking big jugs under the sink. Tablets are also handy for small spaces and for shipping to apartment buildings where heavy boxes are a pain.

Keep in mind: You’ll need to factor in the cost of refill tablets over time, and like other low-tox cleaners they may need a little help (like a scrub brush or microfiber cloth) with extremely caked-on messes.

How to Choose the Right Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaner for Your Home

Match the Cleaner to Your Surfaces

Before you fall in love with a label, think about what you actually clean most:

• Natural stone (marble, granite, quartzite): Avoid vinegar or strong acids; choose stone-safe, pH-neutral cleaners.
• Laminate and sealed wood: Most plant-based all-purpose sprays work well when used with a lightly damp cloth.
• Stainless steel and glass: Look for streak-free claims; some concentrates can be diluted specifically for glass.
• Bathrooms and high-germ zones: For disinfecting, follow the product’s directions exactly for contact time, or use a separate disinfectant rated for your needs.

Consider Sensitivities and Fragrance

If anyone in your home deals with asthma, migraines, or fragrance sensitivity, “Free & Clear” or fragrance-free options are your safest bet. Even essential oils can be irritating for some people, so always test in a small, well-ventilated area first.

Check for Certifications and Transparency

When in doubt, be a label detective. Favor brands that:

• List every ingredient, not just “active” ones
• Offer ingredient glossaries on their websites
• Carry third-party seals like EWG VERIFIED™ or EPA Safer Choice

If a product has vague terms like “cleaning agents” and no further explanation, that’s a sign to keep scrolling.

Think Long-Term Cost and Waste

A concentrate or tablet system might look pricey up front but often beats single-use sprays over time. Consider:

• Cost per diluted bottle
• How many plastic bottles you’ll avoid tossing each year
• Storage space one jug or a small jar of tablets can replace an entire cabinet of random half-empty cleaners

Smart, Safe Cleaning Tips with Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaners

• Ventilate: Even low-VOC cleaners benefit from open windows or a fan, especially in bathrooms and small spaces.
• Never mix products: Don’t mix cleaners together “for extra power,” and never mix anything with bleach or strong acids unless the label specifically tells you to.
• Patch test: Test new cleaners on an inconspicuous spot, especially on painted surfaces, sealed wood, and specialty finishes.
• Use the right tools: Microfiber cloths, soft scrub brushes, and magic-eraser-style sponges often matter more than the cleaner itself for stubborn grime.
• Follow dwell time: If the instructions say “let sit for 5 minutes,” let it sit. Wiping immediately can dramatically reduce cleaning and disinfecting effectiveness.

What It’s Really Like to Switch to Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaners

On paper, switching to a safer all-purpose cleaner sounds simple: buy a new bottle, toss the old one, and enjoy the smug satisfaction of being a responsible adult. In reality, the journey is a little messier and oddly entertaining.

First comes the “label shock” phase. Once you’ve read a few ingredient guides and safety ratings, it’s hard to unsee the long lists of unpronounceable chemicals on many traditional cleaners. People often start pulling bottles from under the sink like they’re sorting through ancient artifacts: “Wait, why do I have three different kitchen sprays that all smell like citrus mystery?”

Next is the experiment phase. Maybe you start with a well-known grocery store brand that’s plant-based and fragrance-free. You notice the smell (or lack of it) first: the house smells clean but not “chemical,” and you’re not getting that eye-watering hit when you scrub the tub. Then you tackle something intense, like a greasy stove or the bathroom after a week of teenagers. This is the moment of truth. Most people are pleasantly surprised that modern nontoxic cleaners can absolutely hang with conventional ones they might just ask for a little more dwell time or a good scrub brush.

For many households, the game-changer is switching to a concentrate system. At first, it feels oddly like mixing potions: you measure a capful or two, add water, and suddenly you have glass cleaner, all-purpose spray, and bathroom cleaner all lined up in matching bottles. The cabinet under the sink goes from “chaotic graveyard of half-used products” to “minimalist Pinterest board,” and you keep opening it just to admire how organized it looks. (No judgment. We’ve all been there.)

There’s also a subtle but real health comfort that comes with using safer formulas. Parents report feeling better about letting kids help wipe the table or clean up spills when the bottle doesn’t carry warnings about wearing gloves or avoiding inhalation. People with asthma or migraines often notice fewer flare-ups triggered by cleaning days. Even pets benefit no more pacing around, confused by the harsh bleachy smell in “their” bathroom.

Of course, there are trade-offs. Some low-tox products don’t have that “instant degreaser” feel of strong solvents, so you may have to be a bit more patient and rely on hot water and elbow grease. If you choose a fragrance-free formula, you might miss that intense “clean smell” at first, until your brain recalibrates and you realize that no smell at all is actually the cleanest of all.

Over time, though, most people find that safer, more sustainable all-purpose cleaners become the new normal. You get used to refilling a glass bottle from a concentrate or dropping a tablet into warm water. You stop buying “just in case” specialty products because your main cleaner reliably handles 90% of everyday messes. And the best part? When someone asks why your home smells fresh but not “chemically clean,” you get to casually point to your nontoxic all-purpose cleaner and feel just a tiny bit like a low-key eco superhero.

In the end, the best all purpose cleaner in 2024 is the one that fits your surfaces, your budget, your values, and your household’s health needs. Whether you go all-in on a concentrate system, stock up on Safer Choice–certified sprays, or fall in love with zero-waste tablets, the right cleaner proves that you don’t have to trade a clean home for a cleaner conscience.