Real Simple Has a New Line of Cleaners — And This Is Now My Favorite All-Purpose Spray

I’ve always been a big fan of both Real Simple magazine and The Container Store. So when I found out the two brands collaborated with Clorox on a line of cleaning products, I couldn’t get to the store fast enough to try them out!

Currently, the line includes four products, which are available at The Container Store: two all-purpose cleaning sprays and two compostable wipes. All the products are rated “Safer Choice” by the Environmental Protection Agency — you won’t find any harsh chemicals on the ingredient list, they’re not tested on animals, and they’re made with renewable energy. Plus, the wipes are fully compostable.

I’m always on the hunt for everyday cleaning products that are safe to use around my little kids and dogs, so I bought all four products and hoped they might earn spots in my regular cleaning lineup. The first thing I noticed about the all-purpose cleaner sprays? They’re beautiful enough that I’d be happy to keep either one displayed on my counter. I had high hopes the two sprays — which come in Sweet Orange & Basil and Cherry Blossom & Rose scents — would be great for wiping down hard, non-porous surfaces, including granite, tile, and even stainless steel.

As soon as I got home, I tried them out on my grimy, stone kitchen counters, and they definitely measured up to other all-purpose sprays I’ve tried, but without the strong chemical smell. I preferred the sweet orange & basil scent — I always gravitate toward herbal and citrus — but both scents were pleasant and then subtle enough that the smell didn’t linger after I cleaned my counters. The all-purpose cleaner also worked wonders on my fingerprint-covered, stainless steel trash can! I just sprayed the surface generously and wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. 

The canister of wipes were just as effective on my counter. The wipe itself was sturdy enough to lift dried peanut butter and jelly from my counters, and I liked the easy convenience! Still, I prefer to be in control of how much product I use, so I’ll probably stick to the all-purpose sprays more often. Either way, as someone who generally avoids one-time use products for environmental reasons, it’s comforting to know the wipes are compostable.

While, in an ideal world, there would be a way to refill these products to avoid single-use plastic, I appreciate the environmentally-friendly approach to ingredients and manufacturing, and I was pleasantly surprised by how effective each one was. As a person who knows a thing or two about cleaning, you really can’t beat a great-smelling, convenient-to-use, powerful cleaner that looks good sitting on a countertop! Honestly, I give the new Real Simple line my heartiest recommendation!

Have you tried the new line of Real Simple cleaning products? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.