An all-purpose cleaner is a cleaning spray, liquid or wipe that’s designed to break down dirt, grease and grime on everyday surfaces like countertops, tables, appliances and hard floors. All-purpose cleaners are safe to use on materials like ceramic tile, stainless steel, quartz, laminates, glass and sealed granite. They should not be used on unfinished wood, oiled or waxed wood, unsealed natural stone and delicate electronics.

To be considered an all-purpose cleaner, a cleaner should have a pH-balanced or mildly acidic liquid cleaning solution that’s designed to safely remove everyday dirt, grease and grime across different surfaces. They can be useful for cleaning countertops, appliances and tile without causing damage. They can help clean your home or workspace along with soaps and detergents, air fresheners and cleaning wipes.

All-purpose cleaners are designed to remove dirt, grease and grime from surfaces using soaps and surface-active agents, but they do not kill germs. A disinfecting cleaner or disinfecting wipe contains antimicrobial agents that can kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on a surface. They often need a “dwell time,” which is how long the cleaner needs to stay on the surface to work effectively. Disinfecting cleaners are better used for high-touch surfaces like doorknobs or toilet handles.

All-purpose cleaners are not safe for every material, despite their name. You should not use them on surfaces like natural stone, unsealed wood, mirrors, windows, delicate fabrics and non-stick cookware. For wooden surfaces, you should use specific furniture cleaners and floor cleaners. For mirrors and windows, you should use glass cleaners. For electronic surfaces like monitors, laptops, tablets and smartphones, you should use electronic cleaning supplies.