what can you use all purpose cleaner for

20 Ways to Use All Purpose Cleaner

• 1. General purpose spray & wipe
• 2. Hand cleaner to remove grease and oil
• 3. Prewash spray for grease and oil stains
• 4. Washing floors
• 5. Cleaning paintwork
• 6. Cleaning windows
• 7. Pre-soaker for oily, greasy overalls
• 8. Cleaning baths/basins

Full Answer

What should you not use all-purpose cleaner on?

Even though they are great for many different types of surfaces, most all purpose cleaners are not suitable for use on wooden surfaces, including wooden floor, tables or furniture.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner for everything?

If you're using a non toxic all purpose cleaner or a safe multi purpose cleaner, the answer to this question is “always!” Most all purpose cleaners are safe to use on marble, plastic, steel, wood, or any other type of surface.

What can all-purpose cleaner be used to clean?

An all-purpose cleaner is a space saver and an important tool in every home's cleaning toolbox. They are safe to use for tackling messes on a variety of surfaces across all the rooms of your home, from countertops, painted walls, floors, appliances, and bathroom and kitchen surfaces.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner on interior?

Description. Meguiar's D101 Detailer All Purpose Cleaner is a versatile cleaner for both exterior and interior surfaces.

What surfaces can you use all-purpose cleaner on?

Top 10 Ways to Use an All-Purpose CleanerGeneral Surface Cleaning. All-purpose cleaners are great for all your hard surface cleaning to wipe away germs, dirt, and grime. ... Kitchen Counters. ... Glass and Mirrors. ... Stainless Steel. ... Bathroom. ... Floors. ... Grease and Oil on Cooktop. ... Cleaning Range Hood.More items...•

Can I use all-purpose cleaner for toilet?

1) Spray your toilet with the all-purpose cleaner from top to bottom covering everything from the tank, flusher, hinges, both sides of the lid and seat, rim, exterior bowl and base. Just douse it with product, don't be shy. Let it sit for a minute to start to break down the dirt.

Do you have to rinse off all-purpose cleaner?

Spray surface until thoroughly wet. Wipe with a clean cloth or sponge. No rinsing required.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner to mop?

All-Purpose Cleaner However, one might clean more surfaces than the other will. The All-Purpose Cleaner can actually be used to mop floors, clean counter-tops, stoves, refrigerators, and even coffee tables and end-tables.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner on a couch?

From dirt to dust, pet stains to spilled food, odors and beyond, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can spot-clean spills or even work in an upholstery or carpet cleaning machine to deep clean and remove stains on your fabric sofa.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner on walls?

Whether they're coated in flat, satin, eggshell, gloss, semi-gloss oil-based or latex paint, using a non-abrasive cleaner is the best way to clean painted walls. Keep walls clean and free of dust, fingerprints, stains and smudges with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.

Can you clean an oven with all-purpose cleaner?

If you have a gentle all-purpose cleaner on hand, that also works great for giving your oven a scrub. It is recommended that you clean your oven every 3-6 months. Consider it as part of your regular home maintenance.

Can you use all-purpose cleaner on mirrors?

All-Purpose Cleaner – All-purpose cleaners may be great for countertops and floors but not so much for mirrors. They can contain oils that will leave the mirror with unwanted streaks.

APC For The Interior

This is where I use the APC the most. Unless the interior calls for a very specific type of leather cleaner (like the King Ranch that requires a specific leather cleaner), an APC will do fine.

Conclusion

I sound like a broken record, but an APC has really found it’s place for me. Which means I pretty much use it for everything. It’s much more affordable, it has dozens and dozens of different uses, and I simply know the product works.

Names Can Be Deceiving

Despite the name, an all-purpose cleaner isn’t actually ideal for every surface in your home. While these types of cleaning solutions do work well on most household surfaces, in some instances they may not do the best job, or may even cause damage.

Glass

While an all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean glass, it won’t perform as well as a dedicated glass cleaner. When it comes to wiping down mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces, a glass cleaner does a better job of dissolving oil and grease without creating streaks.

Unsealed Surfaces

Unsealed concrete and stone are porous, which means they can be difficult to clean and can be damaged if they come into contact with the wrong substances. Generally speaking, unfinished surfaces can be wiped down with a damp microfiber cloth, but it’s probably best to check the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent staining or discoloration.

Carpets and Upholstery

All-purpose cleaners are designed for use on hard surfaces and aren’t formulated for cleaning fabrics like carpets, rugs, curtains, or upholstery. This is one area where purchasing a reliable single-use cleaner is preferable to using a DIY recipe.

Toys

Anyone who has kids knows that pretty much anything they come into contact with requires frequent cleaning—including their toys. Because children have a tendency to put things in their mouths, however, it’s not prudent to use an all-purpose cleaner on their toys, especially small toys that are tempting to chew on.

Marble Surfaces

Marble countertops lend an elegant, upscale look to any kitchen or bathroom, but they can be a pain to clean. Because marble is made up largely of calcium carbonate, it doesn’t pair well with acidic substances, which can corrode its surface.

Wood Furniture

Because wood furniture may be unsealed, it’s best to avoid all-purpose cleaners, which are often filled with relatively harsh cleaning agents. Unless you know what your wood furniture is sealed with, clean it with the gentlest solution possible to avoid staining and other damage.

Versatile sprays, wipes, and polishes for every surface

Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, cleaning, and bedding. She shares her favorite life hacks on her blog The Taboo Textbook.

Best Overall: Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist Multi-Surface Spray Starter Kit

Mr. Clean is a household name, so it should come as no surprise the brand's Clean Freak spray is our number one pick. The multi-purpose solution comes in a handy spray bottle designed to coat your surfaces in an even mist from any angle. Smudges on the wall? Splatters on the ceiling? No problem.

Best Budget: Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser

Soft Scrub will only run you a few dollars, but it'll make your home look like a million bucks. This all-purpose cleaner can be used on counters, sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances. It breaks up grease, grime, stuck-on food, spilled liquids, soap scum, limescale, and hard water stains.

Best Value: Lysol 144 oz. Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

This 144-ounce jug of Lysol Clean & Fresh will give you the most bang for your buck. When applied to hard surfaces, the multi-use formula kills 99.9 percent of germs in a minute flat.

Best Natural: Pardo Naturals Scrubbing Paste

If you prefer earth-sourced cleaners, reach for Pardo Naturals Scrubbing Paste. It's made with nothing more than baking soda, Castile soap, and essential oils. While it's not as easy to apply as a spray, it's great for small areas that need a little bit of elbow grease to get really clean.

Best for Kitchens: Better Life Naturally Filth Fighting All-Purpose Cleaner

Thanks to its natural and effective ingredients, Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner is an excellent choice for kitchens. This plant-based, biodegradable solution is made with ingredients like soap bark, coconut, and corn.

Best for Granite: Method All-Purpose Naturally Derived Surface Cleaner

Natural countertop materials like granite can be tricky to maintain. Since the material is porous, harsh ingredients like bleach can weaken and dull the surface. Even some natural cleaners, like vinegar, can scratch the surface, leaving it weaker over time. That's why we recommend a gentle formula, like Method.

The best all-purpose cleaners can tackle germs, grease, and grime on a variety of surfaces

BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best All-Purpose Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner helps simplify cleaning routines, as it delivers effective cleaning power for a variety of household surfaces.

Our Top Picks

Reliable and effective all-purpose cleaners make cleaning day easier. The following top picks are based on a variety of categories, including natural and chemical ingredients, diluted and undiluted forms, spray-on and wipe-on applications, and ease of use.

FAQs

By definition, all-purpose cleaners are safe and effective for use on multiple surfaces around the house. Because of their versatility, all-purpose cleaners may allow users to save money on cleaning products rather than requiring the purchase of numerous diverse cleaners for targeted surface materials.

How to Use An All-Purpose Cleaner

See more on homedit.com

Best All-Purpose Cleaners Review

Top Two Homemade All-Purpose Cleaners

Final Thoughts