The testing protocols used by the Cleaning Lab are based on industry standards from associations such as ASTM International and The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). In fact, we've been active on the committees for decades, even helping to develop the test standards used by the vacuum cleaner industry. If a standard protocol doesn't exist for our tests, we develop our own. We also regularly meet and interact with company scientists and engineers, and are often called upon to speak to industry groups, sit on industry panels, and serve as cleaning experts in the media.
How we test
In the GH Cleaning Lab, we literally get down and dirty. We roll up our sleeves and hand apply 20 different stains to fabrics to test laundry detergents and stain removers. Foods like egg, oatmeal, and macaroni and cheese are baked onto dishes and cookware to assess dishwashing detergents and the dishwashers themselves.
Our Lab is equipped with built-in wood, tile, and laminate test floor panels, as well as painted, tiled, mirrored, and other wall surfaces for testing any cleaning product that may come our way. We have a special light box for grading spotty glassware after it has been through the dishwashers we're testing, and a custom-built machine for evaluating how well a vacuum cleaner removes embedded dirt from a carpet.
In addition to performance, we assess how easy products are to use and how well designed they are. Let's face it, if it's impossible to replace a vacuum cleaner's dust cup after emptying it, it doesn't matter how well the vacuum cleans; you'll hate using it! We review all cleaning product labeling, safety data sheets, and packaging, checking ingredient lists, safety warnings, and environmental claims.
Here are some examples of our lab equipment:
Vacuum Cleaner Tester
This device measures how well a vacuum deep cleans a carpet. It follows an ASTM standard so every vacuum is tested exactly the same way. We weigh the clean bag or dust cup, run the test, then weigh it again to calculate how much was picked up.
Standardized Lighting Bank
We assess how well detergents remove stains under standard northern daylight, but we can also examine swatches under cool white fluorescent, yellow horizon, and UV lighting.
5-Hole Mechanical Action Cloths
These cloths with five pre-cut holes help us determine the gentleness of a washing machine cycle. We actually count the number of frayed threads on each hole!
Light Box for Glassware
After the dishwasher, glasses go into this special light box where we visually check and rate them for spots and film. The clearer the better!
DigiEye Color Measurement System
By measuring how much light is reflected off a pre-stained and washed test fabric strip, we can calculate how well a washing machine will remove stains and clean clothing. This sophisticated device is also used by our Beauty Lab for assessing the color of hair swatches.
Meet our experts
In the GH Cleaning Lab, we make a point of finding the fun in the everyday products and tasks most would consider chores. We get excited when we test innovative, problem-solving features and uncover great performers that are also a great value. On the flip side, you'll often hear us chatting about too-good-to-be-true label claims, vacuums that spew out more dirt than they pick up, and packaging that's impossible to open. We pride ourselves on finding creative solutions to the most challenging cleaning problems.
Because cleaning is a whole-home affair, we regularly join forces with our editorial colleagues from the GH Home team, Alyssa Gautieri, Laura Millar, and Monique Valeris, our Home Design Director, to review, update, and contribute to our cleaning advice. And for us, cleaning doesn't stop at the Cleaning Lab door. We make sure to supplement our Lab tests with personal experience in our own homes and feedback from staff and other testers to connect us even better with real-life consumers.
Carolyn Forté
Home Care & Cleaning Lab, Executive Director
Carolyn brings almost 45 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab. Beginning her career in Textiles testing, Carolyn transitioned to the appliances and home care space soon thereafter and never looked back. Using deep testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles, and more, she produces cleaning and home care editorial advice for GH, evaluates and recommends products for the Good Housekeeping Seal and Cleaning Awards programs, has authored numerous Good Housekeeping books, and has done countless media appearances, interviews, and social posts related to cleaning and home care. Carolyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Noah Pinsonnault
Home Care & Cleaning Reviews Analyst
Noah brings real science to his role as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where he designs, performs, and reports on testing on a wide variety of cleaning product categories. He began his career as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab, and developed protocols for restoration projects. Never imagining this would lead him to the world of cleaning, Noah puts his technical experience to good use, developing original protocols and refining others for tests of kitchen degreasers, robot vacuums, washing machines, countertop dishwashers, wood refinishing products, and more, and has a keen eye for spotting ingredient safety issues and greenwashing claims. Noah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Did you know?
- We "kiss" each cup with lipstick when we test dishwashers and detergents, and we never pre-rinse our dirty loads before running a cycle.
- Our Lab is always stocked with stain remover wipes for the staffers who stop by after lunch, looking for help with stains on their clothing. And stain removal is a challenge we were born to master!
- Vacuum cleaners, robots, washing machines, and dishwashers are the appliances we get asked about most often, and we're happy to recommend brands and offer advice to guide anyone who's looking to buy.
- Our Cleaning Lab TikToks have been among the most viral on our Good Housekeeping social channels.
- Cascade dishwashing detergent is our longest, continually held Good Housekeeping Seal holder—since 1984!
- In our latest test of washing machines, we hand-counted 7,418 frayed threads to assess the gentleness of the cycles.
