Cleaning is a tedious chore that even the most organized people often put off. From de-greasing stovetops to washing the dishes, tackling tough grime, stains and household messes, it requires top products to get the job done — efficiently!
Here to showcase the best of the best in cleaning essentials, Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute, joined TODAY to highlight Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Cleaning Awards. According to the media brand, the GH Institute and 800 consumer testers “spent months washing, wiping, scrubbing, and sorting” to find the best products to add to your supply list.
Below, you’ll find the best stovetop cleaner, a stone countertop polisher, a classic dishwasher detergent and more award-winning cleaning products, starting at $5.
Good Housekeeping 2026 Cleaning Awards winners seen on TODAY
Stovetops can be a challenge to clean; thankfully, this 3-in-1 cleaner quickly wipes away tough grime, from oil and grease splatters to spills and fingerprints. Good Housekeeping says this cooktop cleaning product “excelled” in lab tests when used on a wide range of kitchen surfaces, including glass, ceramic and stainless steel stovetops and microwaves.
“Not only does this clean well, but it’s designed purposely so it can sit out in your kitchen and not be an eyesore thanks to its clear bottle and simple label,” says Sachs.
During the testing process, she explains that it performed well on a variety of surfaces, including marble, wood and greasy stovetops. Plus, it got high marks for its botanical scent.
Keep your stone countertops sparkling like new with this polish spray. According to the brand, it contains a fine mist of carnauba wax that shines and protects marble, granite and other stone surfaces.
“In our tests, it left granite tiles smooth and glowing. Our at-home testers said it was far better than what they were currently using,” says Sachs.
Dawn’s newest dishwashing formula is “truly better than ever,” according to Sachs. The brand says it creates twice as many suds to eliminate tough grease and leaves zero residue on a variety of dishes, from plates to cookware.
“Our testers and experts all love the bottle,” Sachs explains. “It’s cap-free and has a bottom dispenser, so it’s easy to squeeze out and start washing.”
If you’re a fan of Cascade dishwashing products, you’ll love its new formula, which the brand says has upgraded ingredients to help dissolve food residue, drying dishes faster and spot-free. In fact, Sachs says you don’t have to pre-rinse your dishes after scraping off remaining food.
“We baked on food residue and left it for days, and it still cut through everything we threw its way,” says Sachs. “Our consumer testers were also amazed by how well it worked; they gave it a perfect score.”
More Good Housekeeping 2026 Cleaning Awards winners
What makes this scent booster different from traditional plug-ins? It has three scent settings, allowing you to control the fragrance’s power in your home. Good Housekeeping mentioned that one oil cartilage lasted up to 50 days before it began to fade.
This stain remover is a tried-and-true Shop TODAY favorite, too. The brand says its plant-based formula effectively removes tough stains, whether they’re new or set in. According to Good Housekeeping, many of their testers say it “surpassed that of many traditional formulas on our tough-to-remove stains, especially spaghetti sauce and grass.”
For the toughest stains, this OxiClean powder can be used as a pre-soak or an additive to your washing machine, says the brand. Good Housekeeping reported it “blew other tested products out of the water” when it came to wine, coffee, gravy and grass stains.
Normally, those with sensitive skin have to forgo any scented products, but All’s hypoallergenic detergent has a fragrance option that won’t irritate. The brand claims it’s free of dyes and gentle on the skin, leaving your clothes clean, stain-free and smelling fresh.
This mildly abrasive cleaning paste is water-activated and can be used on a variety of objects and surfaces, says the brand. The Good Housekeeping testers reported that it effectively removed grime with minimal scrubbing.
This winning pick is also Shop TODAY Ranked-approved for “best overall toilet bowl cleaner.” The all-in-one system is affordable and impressed both lines of testers with its ease of use and disinfecting power.
Tackle dust with this kit, which features an extendable handle, and reusable and disposable dust pads that work on different surface types. Our Shop TODAY editors are also fans of this system, naming it “best overall duster” during our Ranked testing.
Cleaning your toilet is the furthest thing from a fun chore; thankfully, these tablets make it efficient and take out “the ick,” says Good Housekeeping.
This powerful steamer is lightweight and has a fast heat-up, offering wrinkle-free results in minutes. It has two settings that safely work on silk, linen and more delicate fabrics.
The brand says Bissel’s mini carpet cleaner is just as powerful as the original but easier to handle and store, giving it top marks during Good Housekeeping’s home testing.
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Lexie Sachs.
- Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute
How we chose
Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and her team curated a list of products that earned top ranks for their Cleaning Awards. Sachs then shared a select number of winners with the Shop TODAY team and TODAY, as well as tips for proper usage.
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