If your kitchen is in a bad way, one of our best kitchen cleaners might just help. Essential for blitzing the cooking space, a quality kitchen cleaner makes the removal of dirt, grease and grime a swift one. Sure, no one loves cleaning the kitchen, but it's a fact of life made less daunting with one of these handy solutions.
A quick search online and you'll be inundated with reams of products – some good, some bad and some average. So, to save you time and effort, we've done the honours, separating the wheat from the chaff. Culminating in a neat list of five top picks, our selection process factors in some essential considerations. Perhaps you're after an all-rounder? Maybe fragrance is paramount? After all, no one wants their kitchen reeking of bleach. You might even be after a non-spray option, like a cleaning stone? Whatever it is, we've got you covered. Plus, we've outlined some of the key features of each product for the utmost ease. Fume-free, plant-based, biodegradable, vegan... It's all there.
Oh, and before you scroll ahead, it might be useful to swat up on your cleaning technique. Our guide on how to clean a kitchen should have you set for the sparkliest galley yet.
Cutting through grease and dirt in seconds, this Astonish(ing) kitchen cleaner outshines the rest. It leaves a zesty lemon and grapefruit scent behind, as well as a streak-free shine. To use, simply spray on your surfaces and wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. For tough stains and grease, leave for two minutes before wiping. It should be noted though, it can't be used on unsealed wood, porous surfaces or unglazed tiles. You should also avoid leaving the product on paintwork, gold plating and lacquered or varnished wood for long.
Not just designed for kitchens, this eco-friendly cleaner can be used on all non-porous surfaces in your home. It leaves behind an oh-so pleasant bergamot and ginger scent which lasts for quite a while, and it's very affordable. We'd like to (quietly) rave about its spray nozzle (really), which doesn't drip during use, unlike those of many other spray cleaners. To use, simply spray on your surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth. This product can be used on many surfaces in your home, but it's smart to do a patch test beforehand if you're tackling a delicate material.
No matter how tough the stain, this foam spray will remove it. Even though it doesn't emit the acrid chemical smell you’d usually associate with powerful kitchen cleaners, it does an easy job of quickly cutting through grease, oil, food spills and dirt. A little goes a long way, so there's no need to be over-generous when using; simply spray a little on your surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth. It can't be used on aluminium, marble, gold, brass or copper, though. In our opinion, this is the best kitchen cleaner for really tough stains.
Want spotless kitchen countertops? With Lakeland's Power & Gentle ECOlogical Kitchen Cleaner, you'll get just that (while still being kind to the planet). Despite being fume-free, plant-based and completely biodegradable, this cleaner offers incredibly effective results while leaving behind a lovely green tea fragrance. Shake the bottle, spray and wipe with a damp cloth – it's as easy as that. Those with marble or granite surfaces should avoid though.
On the hunt for something to clean your kitchen that isn't a spray? Not only does this multi-purpose cleaner work wonders on your taps, hob and any other metals in your kitchen, but it's an excellent surface cleaner. While it requires slightly more effort than the others on our list, the results are more than worth it. Use on your sink and draining board for a lovely shine, and your hob and pots and pans to make them look brand new. To use, wet the sponge included, rub it on the block, squeeze the sponge until it foams and you're set. Wipe down with a damp cloth, and for extra shine, wipe again with a dry cloth. Trust us, this is the stuff of cleaning dreams.
How to buy the best kitchen cleaner
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When hunting for the best kitchen cleaner, there are a few considerations and questions you might have. We've outlined some of the key ones below to make your shopping process that much smoother.
On the surface
Some surfaces don't respond well to particular cleaners. For example, porous surfaces, unsealed wood and unglazed tiles can sometimes prove a little tricky. To avoid this issue, be sure to check the specs of the product. If in doubt, a patch test on a hidden area of the material you're applying it to might be wise.
Smells and scents
When it comes to kitchen cleaners, it's inevitable that some will smell a little chemically. After all, the chemicals are often what cut through the grease. With that said, there are certainly some options out there far softer on the nose. For example, the Lakeland Power & Gentle ECOlogical Kitchen Cleaner has a charming green-tea scent and the Astonish Kitchen Cleaner Zesty Lemon cleaner smells like lemons. Our all-time favourite for smell, though, is the Waitrose Ecological Bergamot & Ginger Multi-Purpose Cleaner – who can contest that aromatic combo?
Struck gold
If your kitchen has any awkward trims or accents, such as those made from aluminium, gold, brass or copper, you'll want to make sure the cleaner can cater to them. Some choices, such as the foaming Vamoose Kitchen Cleaner, don't mix well with these adornments, so be sure to check the label.
Bang for your buck
As far as kitchen cleaners go, very few break the bank. Although, there are some that really add up over time. You'll want to pay attention to price as well as the quantity you get per purchase – some bottles might be cheap, but if there's not much in them, they might not be the economic choice you'd thought they were. In general, our selections sit within a reasonable price bracket. In fact, most don't even hit double figures. Oh, and just because a kitchen cleaner is affordable, that doesn't mean it's not good. A case in point? The Waitrose Ecological Bergamot & Ginger Multi-Purpose Cleaner, both inexpensive and generously filled at 500ml a bottle.
What is the best kitchen cleaner?
Overall, we'd put the Astonish Kitchen Cleaner Zesty Lemon top, as it has the best shine and a delightful fragrance, and it shows no mercy on dirt. That said, this is more of an all-rounder. If you have quite specific criteria in mind, such as environmental concerns, you might be better set opting for the eco-friendly Lakeland Power & Gentle ECOlogical Kitchen Cleaner. Alternatively, some users might prefer to use a cleaning stone instead of a spray, so the Biomex Miracle Kitchen & Bathroom Multi Surface Cleaner would be their best bet.
What is the best antibacterial cleaner?
Keeping the kitchen clear of harmful bacteria is always important. For this task, we'd suggest the Astonish Kitchen Cleaner Zesty Lemon, which eliminates bugs and germs including E. coli, salmonella, listeria and MRSA.
How do you clean a really dirty kitchen?
The question on everyone's lips. Yes, it's essential to have your kitchen cleaner to hand, but you'll need to know how to carry out a deep clean, too. In brief, you'll want to follow a strict order, beginning by decluttering. Then, you'll want to start the dishwasher, before clearing, unblocking and washing the sink, and finally, tackling the stovetops.
If you do find you need something much much stronger, check out our list of the best steam cleaners – they blitz through dirt in no time with nothing but good old water.