Australians hand over $700 million a year on sprays, scrubs, detergents and powders, as we try to keep our homes clean.

So which cleaning products really work best? And which are just a marketing gimmick?

Putting the products we love to the test, we enlisted the help of forensic cleaner Gabrielle Simpson from Clean Queens, Julie Finch Scally from the Duster Dolliesn and blogger Josie Gagliano.

• Clean your house for a dollar a week
• Home hygiene
• Laundry powders put to the test

We soiled white cotton t-shirts with tomato sauce, olive oil and red wine, and then washed them with home brands, eco-friendly brands, and the popular name brands.

“Omo is the clear winner, with the sort of result I want,” Simpson said.

• Best multipurpose cleaner: Woolworths home brand - $1.89
• Best washing powder: Omo - $11.75
• Best dish-washing liquid: Tandil ALDI - $2.49
• Best cream cleanser: Gumption - $4.69
• Best carpet cleaner: Long Life - $7.74
• Best paper towel: Thick and Thirsty - $4.29
• Best bathroom cleaner: Sparkle – $4.27

But while spending big on washing powders was the only way to remove stains, saving money on soakers is a smart buy.

As a forensic cleaner Simpson is well trained in removing tough stains from crime scenes. She doesn't think any of the products tested did a good enough job on carpets, but if our experts where to pick the best, the long life carpet cleaners came out on top.

When it came to cleaning windows, the old favourite Windex was still the best.

However, all in all the judges voted ALDI home brands as the best overall for consistency and price.

Top ten home cleaning tips

So the next time you walk down the cleaning aisle look for just two products to clean the whole house, that will also give you change from ten dollars. For the average house that works out at less than $100 a year, saving you hundreds.

• Clean Queens - www.cleanqueens.com.au
• Duster Dollies - www.dusterdollies.com.au
• Josie's Juice - www.josiesjuice.blogspot.com