Feeling the need to spring clean? When you can finally crack open the windows and let the light shine in after a long winter, you might find your home is in need of a deep clean. Here are a few tips to save money and cut costs on cleaning products:
This is one product category where you can find coupons in abundance. Never buy another cleaning product again without searching first for a brand-name coupon! Also, check your local store’s circular — you can often find it online on your favorite coupon website — and find the week’s sales. You may be able to stack a brand-name coupon with a store discount to maximize your savings.
Brand Name vs. Generic
Sometimes, a generic product may offer significantly more savings than a brand name. For items such as all-purpose cleaners and other everyday cleaning products, generics will typically offer the same benefits as their brand-name counterparts. You can also cross-reference the ingredients to find any striking differences. For cleaning products that tackle a tough job like mold or rust, you may want to stick with a trusted brand name.
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In the case of paper towels, shop a brand name. Generic paper towels often don’t have as many fibers, so they’re less absorbent and you’ll end up using more.
DIY
Ever thought about making your own cleaner? You might be able to do so entirely for free with items already in your pantry. For instance, baking soda can be used to freshen up your cat’s litter box or sprinkled on the carpet before vacuuming. When you combine baking soda with white vinegar, it can be a powerful cleaner for tackling tile or drains. White vinegar is a workhorse cleaning agent; you can fill a spray bottle and use it to polish chrome or stainless steel, as well as to clean mildew in the bathroom. Dilute a bowl of white vinegar with water and heat it in the microwave — and then wipe down the interior for easy cleanup.
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Lemons are natural cleaners — they can be used to clean cutting boards, polish faucets or even shine shoes. If you have a garbage disposal, run a few lemon peels through to help ward off odors. Rubbing alcohol is perfect for degreasing your stove top or removing ink stains (hand sanitizer also works in a pinch).
Reduce and Reuse
The more you can reuse items, the more money you can save. Use old T-shirts and rags for dusting and polishing. When you can, choose a multipurpose spray and use it for everything listed on the bottle — you’ll save money by not buying individual sprays for every surface, and you’ll even save room in your cabinets. Invest in a sturdy pair of rubber gloves and you won’t need to keep buying disposable pairs.
By reducing how much you use products, you can cut down how often you need to shop for new items. Try cutting large sponges in half; this works well for dryer sheets too. You can also get more mileage out of your sponges by rinsing them with water and putting them in the microwave for about three minutes to get rid of bacteria. Speaking of laundry, make sure you’re paying careful attention to how much laundry detergent your washer actually needs.
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Lastly, if the cleaning needs of your home go above and beyond what you’re capable of (or have time for!) explore your local professionals. You can often find great deals on Groupon for up to 50 percent off; just make sure you read the terms and conditions of the deal, as well as any customer reviews, carefully.
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How to Save Money on Cleaning Products originally appeared on usnews.com
