The 2019 Good Housekeeping Top-Tested Cleaning Awards

A GH Cleaning Lab favorite, Dawn is the go-to standard we use for all of our testing in which dish soap is needed. It not only cuts grease on dishes and cookware, but also can be used to dissolve oily splotches on washable fabrics, hand-wash delicates and even remove carpet stains.

LAB LOWDOWN Dawn is concentrated, so only a few drops will tackle a stack of dishes. In our tests, it consistently cleans more dishes than other brands and has the longest-lasting suds.

A pile of sponges, scrubbers and cleansers can easily turn your kitchen sink zone into a puddled mess. That’s why Tovolo’s new set is so genius. The brush and its holder click together with magnets. Suction them to your countertop, and the brush hangs upside down in the sink so drips go down the drain and not onto your counter.

LAB LOWDOWN This brush is comfortable to grip, easy to use and convenient to grab. Suspend it from the sink’s side or corner or anywhere else out of the way.

Germy, wet sponges are history with Brillo Estracell at your sink. Its unique sponge material rinses cleanly and dries quickly so bacteria can’t take hold.

LAB LOWDOWN In our tests, it sopped up water better than a synthetic sponge and dried faster than a cellulose one. The delicate scrubber side and angled edge make it the perfect scrubbing tool for dishes and surfaces.

A lot goes on inside the dishwasher, and the detergent has a tough job to do. It must dissolve stuck-on food, eliminate spots and be safe for the machine and the items inside. Cascade succeeds on all counts.

LAB LOWDOWN Without fail, it breezed through our baked-on messes and left glasses clear and shiny.

Metal cookware can lose its shine in no time. This gentle cleanser contains ingredients to remove water rings, burned-on bits, and more without scratching.

LAB LOWDOWN It takes only a light touch with Cameo to clean and restore the luster to stainless steel and aluminum pots, pans, and utensils. We also really like how easily the nonabrasive powder can be rinsed away.

Miele knows how to do dishwashers — its machines are top performers on any cycle we test. With this one’s many options, easy-to-load racks and extra-large capacity, washing dishes has never been less of a chore.

LAB LOWDOWN This GH Seal star impressed us with quiet operation, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and a QuickIntenseWash cycle that cleaned and dried our load in under an hour.

Besides its powerful wrinkle-removing performance, this CHI iron boasts convenient features like a retractable cord and a lighted display that makes it super-easy to see which setting you’ve selected.

LAB LOWDOWN In our tests, this model did an A+ job smoothing tough-to-iron swatches like linen and heavy cotton. We love its powerful steam burst and large water tank so much that it’s our Cleaning Lab’s favorite iron — one we never loan out!

This machine falls into the “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” category. Electrolux has solved the problem of detergent packs that don’t fully dissolve. No need to toss one into the tub—the Adaptive Dispenser has a dedicated chamber for it. As the water hits it, the pack opens, flushing the detergent into the load.

LAB LOWDOWN Electrolux washers do well in our Lab tests because they mix the detergent with water before it enters the tub for better penetration and stain removal.

Of all the products we’ve tested from Joy Mangano, this steamer is right at the top. Fill it with water, turn it on and in no time it’s pumping out 20 minutes of continuous steam. When you’re on the go, the mini version will work just as well.

LAB LOWDOWN This champ is a staple in both our Cleaning Lab and our Textiles Lab. The retractable cord makes it neat to store, and the triangular nozzle covers wide areas to get the job done quickly. Its large water tank will mean fewer trips to the sink. 

If you prefer liquid detergent, Persil ProClean Stain Fighter won’t disappoint. It topped our test of 42 formulas, doing the best job erasing stains from cotton swatches in cold water. It totally zapped coffee from all fabrics.

Oily stains don’t stand a chance when Shout’s powerful foam attacks them. In our tests, it beat others at removing oil, crayon, lipstick, gravy, chocolate syrup, and spaghetti sauce from cotton swatches washed in warm water.

Good things do come in small packages. The palm-size Ovo will smooth out wrinkles at home and on the road. It’s the perfect size for touch-ups.

LAB LOWDOWN At 1.6 lbs, this iron is lightweight and easy to use, and the steam is continuous. We love the storage bag that’s also a resting pad.

It’s hard to top detergent packs for convenience, and in our test none beat Tide PODS. They earned the most perfect scores, removing mud, chocolate, gravy, grass, and more from cotton and polyester in warm and cold water.

No need to switch to white with Wine Away in your cleaning arsenal. It works on clothing, upholstery, and carpeting, and in our tests it completely erased red wine stains from some fabrics and faded others so well, they were gone after washing.

Rechargeable and ready when accidents happen, this Bissell mighty mini carpet cleaner sucks up wet spills fast. And with its onboard cleaning formula and brush, you can attack stains on carpet and upholstery before they have a chance to get set in.

LAB LOWDOWN This handy tool works on any spill, not just pet accidents. It has powerful suction and is easy to empty, clean, and store.

Once you start cleaning with Bissell’s CrossWave, you won’t want to stop. Go from sucking up dry messes to washing hard floors and area rugs without missing a beat. You may retire your mop and bucket!

LAB LOWDOWN We found the CrossWave to be a very effective picker-upper that was easy to maneuver. Disassembly for cleaning is simple, and it comes with a base for mess-free storage.

This robot is almost better than a housekeeper. Sure, it does the usual things like pick up pet hair and clean under the bed, but that’s just the beginning. Whenever Roomba finds its way “home,” it dispenses the debris it’s collected into the base so it’s ready to go again.

LAB LOWDOWN Roomba is a great cleaner that’s easy to use and program, and we love the sealable, replaceable dust bag in the base. It isn’t messy to empty like other robots are, so it’s perfect for allergy sufferers.

Wood floors are more durable than you might think, but it’s best to use a product like Bona that cleans without damaging their finish. Since it’s a spray, it’s ideal for quickly tackling spots and tracked-in messes.

LAB LOWDOWN Tops in our Cleaning Lab tests, Bona dissolved even tough dried-on stains and left our test wood floors shiny.

Today’s plushest carpets can stop some vacuums in their tracks, but not this Miele, which has dedicated settings that let it move easily across superdense tufts. And its HEPA filter traps allergens.

LAB LOWDOWN Miele vacuums are always best in our Cleaning Lab tests at picking up and containing dirt. This model is designed well and has a sturdy telescopic metal wand and adjustable power levels to handle everything from delicate drapes to rugged rugs.

Get ready for your shower to sparkle. If you’ve got dingy grout, CLR will whiten it right up. The foam clings to vertical surfaces and starts to work before you even begin to scrub. Plus, it dissolves hard-water stains and soap scum.

LAB LOWDOWN This spray easily removed discoloration and buildup from white grout and fixtures even in homes with hard water. We like that it carries the EPA Safer Choice certification and you don’t have to worry about harsh fumes.

Granite and stone countertops are tough but not indestructible and are best treated with a special product like this one from Weiman to keep them clean and make them shine.

LAB LOWDOWN This spray is safe to use daily on granite, marble, quartz and other natural stone. It’s pH-neutral, so it won’t etch the finish like harsh chemicals can or leave streaks behind as some all-purpose cleaners do.

In your kitchen, grease from cooking mixes with dust in the air. Over time, it all builds up on appliances, cabinets and fixtures, and many all-purpose cleaners can’t cut it. Mr. Clean Clean Freak attacks grime on contact and works fast so you need to scrub less.

LAB LOWDOWN We tested it on greasy stovetops, grimy cabinets and icky stainless steel. We like that the mist clings to surfaces better than watery cleaners do with less mess and that the nozzle can be reused on refill bottles.

You may not even know your kitchen cabinets are covered in sticky grime until you feel them: It’s hard to see, but trust us, it’s there. Parker & Bailey’s cream removes this gunk without damaging wood or any surface. It leaves cabinets feeling clean and with a smooth, soft glow.

Fingerprints not only ruin the shiny look of stainless fridges and dishwashers but can make your whole kitchen look, well, messy. Affresh spray dispenses as a fine mist for fewer drips and erases marks, smudges, and smears without streaking.

There’s no easier way to rid your home of cold and flu germs from ill family members than with Lysol wipes. Use them on faucet, toilet and appliance handles; light switches; doorknobs; remote controls; and other spots that get touched a lot.

If there’s one thing you should do every day to keep mold from taking over, it’s use a squeegee on the shower’s tile and glass. Casabella’s clips to the showerhead or door handle, and the silicone blade hugs the walls to remove water and grime.

Smooth glass cooktops can be difficult to clean if you don’t wipe them down after every use. This Affresh kit contains cream cleanser, scrubbing pads, and a scraper to nudge off stubborn stuck-on bits.

LAB LOWDOWN Not messy to use, Affresh tackled our burned-on spills with ease, and we like that it rinses away without streaking. The scraper blade retracts for safety.

Nothing’s yuckier than cleaning the toilet, and Clorox’s ToiletWand is about as hands-free as you can get. Snap the pad onto the wand and wet it to activate the cleaner, then scrub. When done, eject the pad into the trash.

LAB LOWDOWN This handy tool removes tough stains easily and comes with a caddy for neat storage.

This spray goes on glass as a fine mist, so there’s no drippy mess to chase after. It wipes away quickly and cleanly and leaves glass streak free. 

There are lots of wet floor mopping cloths on the market, but none disinfect like these Scentiva cloths do. They are perfect for bathrooms, pet areas, or anywhere germ-killing is important.

What impressed us about this unique cloth is how well it cleans, thanks to its tight weave. Even wet, it shines chrome without streaking and unlike others, can safely be washed with bleach so it stays clean.

In our test of furniture polishes, Guardsman snagged the “Best Aerosol” spot for drying quickly and removing water rings and crayon marks without streaking.

Who doesn’t want paper towels that are absorbent and strong when wet? Look no further — Bounty’s are up to the task.

LAB LOWDOWN In our Textiles Lab tests, these were a winner. They aced our wet breaking strength and window-washing tests, leaving not a bit of lint behind.

Why not stash trash in something stylish? Simplehuman’s can looks beautiful (it comes in five finishes) and opens with just a wave or a voice command.

LAB LOWDOWN It works like a charm and was a real attention-grabber in our Lab.

An extendable duster is a must for nabbing cobwebs overhead and in corners. Oxo’s includes attachments for dusting ceiling fans, bookcases, trim, and more.

LAB LOWDOWN The microfiber heads wash well and are easy to put on and remove. This set has a band for hooking all the attachments onto the pole at once so none will get lost — smart!

These little foam pads have too many uses to count. Rubbing out dirt and  grime on anything from walls to shower doors has never been easier.

LAB LOWDOWN “Impressed” doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel about these champs.

You know you should wear them, but rubber gloves can be uncomfortable and make your hands sweat. Playtex’s are sized well and have a lining that absorbs moisture to keep hands fresh and dry.

LAB LOWDOWN These hefty gloves protected hands from hot water, yet were flexible enough to grip delicate crystal.

Goo Gone is our go-to product for removing price stickers, tape residue, gum and more. And it works on hard surfaces, carpeting and clothing without damage.

We buy these by the case to stock in our Cleaning Lab for all the staffers who come in with coffee spills and lunchtime mishaps. Nothing beats them for zapping stains on-the-go.

Odors in the air and trapped in fabrics can make your whole home smell dank. Febreze One tackles both and it eliminates odors, doesn’t just cover them up.

Tuck this little cleaning wand into your bag or purse and you’ll never go out with dull jewelry again. It even includes a handy little buffing cloth for added sparkle.  

This gentle formula cleans away dirt and grime from deep in the leather’s grain without damage. We found it was not only easy to use and wipe away but left the leather smooth and supple.

This clothing saver works in the sink on just a few items or in the washing machine on a whole load of clothes that have been ruined by colors bleeding from one garment to another.