The Best Kitchen Cleaners for Grease, Grime, and Food Messes, Tested
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Keep your busy cook space sparkling with the best kitchen cleaners for all your different surfaces.
Keeping the kitchen clean can be a never-ending quest, and choosing from the wide selection of kitchen cleaners on the market can make it even more challenging. But tackling even the dirtiest messes needn’t be a big chore if you have the right kitchen cleaner for the job—and a few handy time-saving tricks.
In an effort to find the best kitchen cleaners, we researched 27 highly rated products to discover which are worth the hype and which you can live without. From there, we tested 10 of the top contenders. Use this guide to learn what to look for and why the following products are considered some of the best kitchen cleaners to keep your cooking space sanitary and spotless.
- BEST OVERALL: The Pink Stuff Miracle Multipurpose Cleaner
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Lysol Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner
- BEST DEGREASER: Easy-Off Kitchen Cleaner & Degreaser
- BEST LONG-LASTING: Mistolin Lavender All-Purpose Cleaner
- BEST DEEP-CLEANING: GP66 Green Miracle Cleaner
- BEST NATURAL: Bon Ami Scratch-Free Powder Cleanser
- BEST DISINFECTANT: Windex Multisurface Disinfectant Cleaner
- BEST FOR KITCHEN FLOOR: Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Floor Cleaner
- BEST FOR KITCHEN SINK: Biomex All-Purpose Multisurface Cleaner and Sponge
Before You Buy a Kitchen Cleaner
Kitchen cleaners can clean up stuck-on food, grease, dirt, and even lurking mold. Cleaning power and environmental friendliness are important factors to consider when choosing the best option for your home. If you live with children or pets, look for a kitchen surface cleaner that uses vinegar, water, or natural oils in the formulas instead of household cleaning products with harsh chemicals that are not recommended for food contact.
How We Tested the Best Kitchen Cleaners
While a simple mixture of dish soap and water is adequate for wiping down countertops and tackling grease-smudged cabinets, dirtier jobs require heavy-duty cleaners.
Before choosing which products to test, we researched 27 popular kitchen cleaners. We then narrowed our testing pool to 10 standout products selected for their cost, intended uses, and user ratings. Once we received the cleaners, we spent 2 weeks using them to wipe down kitchen counters, shine stainless steel, remove grease, and scrub sinks. We logged our results in a rubric survey in which we awarded each cleaner several ratings based on its cleaning ability, ease of use, value, and scent. Below are the results of our extensive tests.
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 10
- Hours spent testing: 5.5
- Tests performed: 11
- Average price: $11.48
Our Top Picks
Make your kitchen sparkle with one of these hand-tested and highly rated kitchen cleaners.
Best Overall
The Pink Stuff Miracle Multipurpose Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Spray
- Compatible surfaces: Most hard surfaces
- Quantity: 25.4 ounces
Pros
- Vegan and nontoxic formula is safe for many hard surfaces in the kitchen
- Cuts through dirt, grease, and grime, leaving surfaces noticeably cleaner
- Inexpensive and versatile; suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and other nonporous surfaces
Cons
- Not safe for granite, marble, or wooden surfaces that are waxed, oiled, open pore, painted, or varnished
A brand best known for its Miracle Cleaning Paste, The Pink Stuff boasts a line of other popular products, including this multipurpose cleaner spray. This cleaner features a nontoxic, vegan formula that is safe for most hard kitchen surfaces (excluding marble and granite countertops and various wood surfaces). It’s affordable and versatile, making it a handy product to have in your home.
We tested this kitchen cleaner on as many applicable surfaces as possible, starting with our laminate countertops and glass stovetop. It lifted burnt-on gunk from the stovetop in minutes and left our counters looking clean and smooth. Next, we tried it on our stainless steel appliances. It removed dirt but didn’t leave our appliances quite as shiny as dedicated stainless steel cleaners. However, it did a good job of removing food gunk inside the refrigerator.
Where this spray really stood out was in the oven. The formula is supposed to break down grease and grime, so we put it to the test. We sprayed our oven, let the cleaner sit for a few minutes, and then got to wiping. It lifted much of the gunk. There was still some old, caked-on oil left behind, but overall, we were impressed by the nontoxic formula’s cleaning power.
Get The Pink Stuff kitchen cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Target.
Best Bang For The Buck
Lysol Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Spray
- Compatible surfaces: Counters, sinks, stovetops, cabinets, and appliance exteriors
- Quantity: 22 ounces
Pros
- When used as directed, kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses, including salmonella, Covid-19, staph, and more
- Functions as a cleaner, sanitizer, and disinfectant on most hard kitchen surfaces
- Citrus-scented formula isn’t overwhelming; we found the light scent enjoyable
Cons
- Must rinse with potable water after using on food-contact surfaces
Those concerned with kitchen germs or food-borne illnesses can turn to Lysol’s Kitchen Pro spray to clean and disinfect. Lysol claims this cleaner kills up to 99.9 percent of germs and viruses when used as directed. It’s also suitable as a sanitizer and a kitchen cleaner, cutting through grease and grime effectively.
The first thing we noticed about Lysol’s Kitchen Pro was its aroma. Unlike most other disinfectants, it lacked a chemical scent and instead filled our kitchen with a fresh citrus smell. We put it to work on our countertops, spraying it on and then wiping it off with a paper towel. A little went a long way, and we were pleased with how nice our laminate counters looked after use.
After handling raw chicken, we also used this disinfectant spray to sanitize our countertops and kill germs in our sinks. For the cleaner to disinfect, it must remain wet on a surface for 10 minutes. We sprayed our germy surfaces, allowed the cleaner to work, and then wiped it away. Lysol advises users to rinse food-contact surfaces after applying this cleaner, so we used water to rinse the countertop area where we prepare food. Overall, this was one of our favorite cleaners, and we recommend it to those looking for a good, budget-friendly disinfectant.
Get the Lysol kitchen cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Degreaser
Easy-Off Kitchen Cleaner & Degreaser
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Spray
- Compatible surfaces: Backsplash, stovetop, counters, cabinets, oven, sink, and microwave
- Quantity: 16 ounces
Pros
- Suitable for many kitchen surfaces, including backsplashes, stovetops, cabinets, ovens, and microwaves
- Cuts through grease and grime within seconds and without scrubbing
- No harsh scent; pleasant lemon aroma fills the kitchen after use
Cons
- Must rinse food-contact surfaces with fresh water to wipe away lingering product
- Not suitable for use on aluminum surfaces or nonporous surfaces
Even the best multipurpose cleaners sometimes fail to remove greasy cooking messes. Those who deal with frequent oil splatters on their cooktops, counters, backsplash, oven, or microwave can benefit from a dedicated kitchen degreaser like this one from Easy-Off. This lemon-scented cleaning spray removes grease and grime in seconds and works on many kitchen surfaces—simply spritz it on, wipe it off, and rinse food-contact surfaces with water after use.
Our kitchen backsplash is a hot spot for grease splatters and often goes uncleaned for weeks. We sprayed the Easy-Off Kitchen degreaser on our oil-covered ceramic backsplash, let it sit for a second, and then wiped it clean. The grease came off on the first wipe, and the cleaner left a pleasant lemon aroma behind.
We also used this spray on the inside of our microwave, which was marred with splatters from bubbled-over mac ‘n cheese and reheated leftovers. To test the grease-fighting power, we rubbed the microwave plate with vegetable oil and let it sit for 2 hours before spraying the interior. It took two attempts, but the Easy-Off cut through the new and old grease like a champ.
Get the Easy-Off kitchen cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Long-Lasting
Mistolin Lavender All-Purpose Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Spray bottle or bucket
- Compatible surfaces: Most washable surfaces
- Quantity: 1 gallon
Pros
- Made to clean and deodorize; leaves a light lavender scent behind for hours
- Suitable for a variety of hard surfaces; can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, or on floors
- Ample size is great for frequent use and more demanding cleaning projects
Cons
- When undiluted, the scent may be too strong for some users’ liking
If not-so-pleasant smells are a problem in your kitchen, this product may be the one-two punch your cooking space needs. Unlike cleansers that use citrus scents to combat odor, this 1-gallon cleaner from Mistolin boasts a clean and calming lavender scent that can keep the kitchen smelling fresh for hours. It’s a versatile cleanser suitable for a variety of surfaces, and its concentrated formula can be diluted in water to clean large surfaces.
Our first impression of the Mistolin cleaner was that the undiluted scent was quite strong. However, the smell was light and fresh once we diluted per the manufacturer’s instructions, mixing one quarter of the concentrate with 1 gallon of water. We added the mixed cleaner to a spray bottle to wash our countertops and kitchen table. It worked as expected, lifting dirt and minor food splatters. This all-purpose cleaner is gentle and suitable for floors, so we used a mop and bucket system to wash our hardwood floors. They looked clean, and they dried without streaks after use.
The versatility and 1-gallon jug make this all-purpose concentrate a standout for whole-house cleaning.
Get the Mistolin kitchen cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Deep-Cleaning
GP66 Miracle Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent N/A; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Spray
- Compatible surfaces: Most washable surfaces
- Quantity: 32 ounces
Pros
- Biodegradable and water-based formula is safe for homes with children and pets
- Developed for industrial use for reliability and effectiveness; cleans dirt, grease, and grime
- Can be diluted in a 1 to 64 ratio, so it should last for a lot of cleaning tasks
Cons
- Needs to be diluted for smaller or light-duty cleaning tasks
- Should not be used in concentrated form on water-based or varnished surfaces
- Must rinse surfaces with potable water after use
GP66’s Miracle Cleaner, an American-made cleaner that’s strong yet biodegradable, is a useful weapon against the toughest messes in your kitchen. Initially developed for industrial use, its proprietary formula breaks the surface tension of water to mix and emulsify serious dirt, grease, and grime. The concentrated formula can be diluted with water in a 1 to 64 ratio or sprayed directly from the bottle. However, you’ll want to avoid using it in its concentrated form on varnished or water-based painted surfaces.
We tested this heavy-duty cleaner on big kitchen messes. First, we wiped pasta sauce and vegetable oil on our stovetop, counters, and stainless steel appliances, allowing each substance several hours to fully dry. We then sprayed the dried-on messes with the full-strength GP66 cleaner, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and wiped it with a sponge. The oil immediately came off all test surfaces, but it took some scrubbing to remove the pasta sauce. Once clean, we rinsed the areas with potable water per the manufacturer’s instructions.
We tried this spray undiluted on our glass stovetop and laminate counter, and it dried a little streaky. When diluted, it dried without any streaks while still lifting grime from the counters.
Get the GP66 kitchen cleaner at Amazon.
Best Natural
Bon Ami Scratch-Free Powder Cleanser
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Scent N/A; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Application type: Powder
- Compatible surfaces: Most washable surfaces
- Quantity: 14 ounces
Pros
- Biodegradable eco-conscious formula is suitable for homes with children and pets
- Can be used on virtually any washable surface in the home
- Scratch-free powder formula will not scar or scuff glass surfaces
- Unscented formula is ideal for those who want a fragrance-free space
Cons
- Offered in a smaller size than some comparable kitchen cleaners
- Should not be used on windows or mirrored surfaces
Eco-conscious consumers can rely on the power of Bon Ami’s powder cleanser for their kitchen counters, glass cooktop stoves, microwaves, faucets, pots and pans, and china. Outside of the kitchen, it can also be put to use on grout, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, outdoor furniture, and even walls and floors. Biodegradable and made with no harsh chemicals, this 14-ounce scratch-free powder cleanser is great for food residue and scuff marks on hard surfaces with the help of its feldspar, calcium and sodium carbonate, and limestone formula.
It was a favorite for cleaning our glass stovetop. The gentle abrasiveness dislodged burnt food and gunk without leaving any scratches behind. To use it, we wetted our surface, sprinkled the powder on, and then scrubbed it with a cloth. It was easy to rinse and left our cooktop streak-free. Aside from the glass cooktop, we used this cleaner on our enameled cast-iron sink, ceramic tile backsplash, grout, and laminate kitchen counters. The powder formula was ideal for penetrating nooks and crannies and lifting dirt from surfaces.
This kitchen cleaner has numerous uses, from cleaning and shining cookware to removing stains from showers and bathtubs. It’s a powerful product that can cut cleaning time in half in some instances. Since it’s gentle and scent-free