7 multipurpose cleaners outshine the rest to take top spot in CHOICE review

Selecting the right multipurpose cleaner contributes to a clean, healthy, and safe living environment. But with so many options out there these days, it’s hard to choose the right one.

Consumer advocacy group, CHOICE, has done the work for us by reviewing 55 different surface cleaners with seven options tying for the top spot.

About the review’s results, CHOICE Director of Reviews and Testing, Matthew Steen said, “This year, we can recommend 11 surface cleaners from our testing, with seven tying for first place with an impressive score of 95%.”

“These high achievers come from well-known brands such as Ajax, Dettol, Jif, Nifti, Pine O Cleen and Earth Choice.”

Steen also added that “All surface cleaners were rigorously tested using pre-soiled melamine tiles, each scrubbed 40 times by a scrubbing apparatus. A tool called a spectrophotometer is used before and after scrubbing to determine how much dirt each cleaner removes.”

The top multipurpose surface cleaners which received a top score of 95 per cent include:

• Ajax Professional Kitchen
• Dettol Healthy Clean Kitchen
• Earth Choice Antibacterial All Purpose
• Earth Choice Undo This Mess with Grease Blaster Multipurpose
• Easy Off Bam Kitchen Specialist Universal Degreaser
• Jif Cleanboost Kitchen
• Nifti All Purpose Cleaner

CHOICE also found that four cleaners they tested received a score of 45 per cent which translates to having the same cleaning abilities as plain water.

“Unfortunately, our testing found four cleaners performed the same as plain old water with a score of 45%. If you’re wondering which products to steer clear from, these would be it,” says Steen.

These four were Diggers Multi-Purpose Surface Cleaner, Jif Antibac & Shine Multi-Purpose, McLintocks Vanilla Fresh and White King 4 in 1 Multipurpose Cleaner.

If buying purpose made detergents from the supermarket is not your thing then bicarbonate of soda makes for a humble yet powerful ingredient that will revolutionise your home cleaning routine.

Here are seven ingenious ways it can be used to keep homes sparkling clean without all the chemicals and plastic. 

Laundry revitaliser – Instead of fabric softener, infuse life into your laundry with a cup of bicarb soda in your washing cycle.

Drain refresher – A cup of bicarb soda down the drain will effortlessly remedy any odours emanating from your drains.

Oven enchantment – Sprinkle your oven with some bicarb soda then spray vinegar until it fizzes. Wait four hours and wipe away the grime with a damp cloth.

Surface cleaner – Sprinkle bicarb soda on your tiles, sinks and in tubs and scrub lightly with a damp clean cloth. Add salt for increased abrasiveness.

Deep-cleaning cleanser – Combine 1/5 cups bicarb soda with 1/2 cup liquid soap, 1/2 cup water and 2tbsp white vinegar into a spray bottle. Apply to your surfaces and watch the magic unfold.

Carpet rejuvenator – Mix bicarb soda and liquid soap then dilute with water and add vinegar. Shake well and apply to stained areas on your carpet and scrub. Rinse off with water.

Clothing stain elixir – Craft a paste by combining bicarb soda and water, then apply it to clothing stains. Let it soak in for a while before washing as usual.

With these seven brilliant cleaning solutions, you can transform your home into a clean and fresh sanctuary without the need for harsh chemicals or expensive cleaning products.