Consumer group CHOICE has tested 55 different surface cleaners, including multipurpose and specific kitchen cleaners, to reveal which ones will keep your surfaces sparkling clean and which ones perform no better than just using plain water.
"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," says CHOICE Director of Reviews and Testing, Matthew Steen.
"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," says Steen.
Here are the surface cleaners that received a CHOICE Expert Rating of 95%:
- 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
Here are the surface cleaners which scored 45%, the same as plain water:
- Diggers Multi-Purpose Surface Cleaner
- Jif Antibac & Shine Multi-Purpose
- McLintocks Vanilla Fresh
- White King 4 in 1 Multipurpose Cleaner
"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.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
