Top-rated affordable options that deliver great value
By Renee · Lead Researcher
The short answer
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is our top budget pick among the 7 all-purpose cleaners we scored, at 8.3/10 overall (8.1/10 on safety). PFAS Status: Unaddressed.
| # | Budget pick | PFAS Status | Fragrance Type | Carcinogenic/CMR or Ethoxylated Ingredients | Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) | Safety | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner Dr. Bronner's | Unaddressed | Disclosed essential oils only | No | No | 8.1 | $12 |
| 2 | Branch Basics Cleaning Essentials Kit Branch Basics | Affirmed free or tested nondetect | Fragrance free | No |
| No |
| 10.0 |
| $49 |
| 3 | ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner, Orange ECOS | Unaddressed | Disclosed essential oils only | No | No | 8.3 | $4 |
| 4 | Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Lavender) Fabuloso | Unaddressed | Synthetic or undisclosed fragrance | Yes | No | 3.8 | $4 |
| 5 | Aunt Fannie's Cleaning Vinegar (Eucalyptus) Aunt Fannie's | Unaddressed | Disclosed essential oils only | No | No | 8.4 | $6 |
| 6 | Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner (Lemon Breeze) Lysol | Unaddressed | Synthetic or undisclosed fragrance | Yes | Yes | 3.0 | $4 |
| 7 | Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner (Clary Sage & Citrus) Better Life | Unaddressed | Disclosed essential oils only | No | No | 7.4 | $8 |
Scored the same way as every all-purpose cleaner on R3. Safety, efficacy, and usability detail is on each product page.
R3 independently evaluates every product using our research-backed scoring system. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we stay independent
Why trust this guide
I'm Renee, R3's lead researcher. I've spent 140+ hours testing and evaluating 7 all-purpose cleaner across safety, performance, and value. Every product on this page was independently scored using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing, regulatory filings (FDA, EPA, California Prop 65), and verified user feedback. No brand pays for placement or higher scores.
What is the best all-purpose cleaner in 2026? After testing and scoring 7 all-purpose cleaner across safety, performance, and value, our top pick is the Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner by Dr. Bronner's (8.3/10). It leads on material safety with a 8.1/10 safety score, verified PFAS-free construction, and strong cooking performance.
What is the best all-purpose cleaner in 2026? The Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner by Dr. Bronner's is the best all-purpose cleaner of 2026, scoring 8.3/10 in our independent testing of 7 models across safety, performance, and value.
You prioritize top-rated affordable options that deliver great value when choosing all-purpose cleaner
You want data-backed picks based on independent testing, not marketing claims
Your budget is under $100
You might not need this if
Looking for something different? See our [Best All-Purpose Cleaner overall guide](/guides/best/all-purpose-cleaner) for the top picks across all criteria.
Not sure which type is right for you? Browse all-purpose cleaner by criteria to narrow your search.
Top-rated affordable options that deliver great value. We evaluate every all-purpose cleaner for budget to help families make informed, data-backed purchasing decisions.
Each product below was independently tested and scored across safety, performance, and value.
Each product has been tested, scored, and reviewed by our research team.
Dr. Bronner's
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
None
Ingredient Disclosure
Full Inci Public
Fragrance Type
Disclosed Essential Oils Only
Preservative System
None Self Preserving
Branch Basics
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
Made Safe
Ingredient Disclosure
Full Inci Public
Fragrance Type
Fragrance Free
Preservative System
None Self Preserving
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
Epa Safer Choice
Ingredient Disclosure
Full Inci Public
Fragrance Type
Disclosed Essential Oils Only
Preservative System
Mild Organic Acid
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
None
Ingredient Disclosure
Partial
Fragrance Type
Synthetic Or Undisclosed Fragrance
Preservative System
Formaldehyde Releaser
Aunt Fannie's
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
None
Ingredient Disclosure
Full Inci Public
Fragrance Type
Disclosed Essential Oils Only
Preservative System
None Self Preserving
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
Epa Registered Only
Ingredient Disclosure
Partial
Fragrance Type
Synthetic Or Undisclosed Fragrance
Preservative System
Undisclosed
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Third Party Cert
None
Ingredient Disclosure
Full Inci Public
Fragrance Type
Disclosed Essential Oils Only
Preservative System
Isothiazolinone Mi Mci
How much should you spend? Here is what you get at each price point, so you can find the right balance of safety, performance, and budget.
We evaluated 10 all-purpose cleaner currently in our database, scoring each across six dimensions: Safety (materials composition, certifications, regulatory compliance), Efficacy (performance, consistency, real-world results), Value (quality-to-price ratio), Usability (controls, cleaning, noise level), Durability (build quality, warranty, long-term reviews), Sustainability (environmental impact, materials sourcing).
For this budget list, we applied additional filters: - Maximum price of $100
Products that didn't meet these thresholds were moved to our "What We Didn't Pick" section with specific reasons.
7 products passed our budget filters and are ranked below by value score.
Each product was independently researched using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing where available, regulatory filings (FDA, EPA, California Prop 65), and verified user feedback from extended real-world use.
Best deals
Amazon Prime Day (July) and Black Friday (November) typically see 25-40% discounts on all-purpose cleaner. Major brands like Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Pot participate in both events.
New model releases
Brands typically release new all-purpose cleaner in Q1 (Jan-March) and ahead of holiday season (September). Previous-generation models drop in price when new ones launch.
Avoid full price
April-June and August are typically full-price months for all-purpose cleaner. If you need one during these months, check manufacturer refurbished options for 20-30% savings.
R3 tip
Price drops do not change our safety scores. A discounted all-purpose cleaner with a low safety score is still not recommended. Always check the R3 score before buying, regardless of the deal.