Ready to throw open your windows and roll up your sleeves for spring cleaning? Now’s the time to declutter, deep clean and organize your belongings.
But don’t let your eagerness push you to spend too much at the home-organization store — or on the hundreds of sprays and powders that fill the cleaning-supplies aisle.
Read on for ways to save on your spring cleaning purchases — and tips for concentrating your shopping efforts on products that get the job done.
[See: Spring Cleaning: What Items Are Ideal for Donating, Selling and Tossing?]
Don’t pay full price for cleaning appliances. Vacuums and floor cleaners can assist with spring cleaning and make it easier to keep your home clean year-round. But with price tags as high as $1,000 for some of the high-end models, these little helpers can be a big investment.
Luckily, there are ways to avoid paying sticker price on vacuums and carpet cleaners, especially at this time of year.
— Manufacturer discounts. Vacuum manufacturers will often lower prices on certain models. For example, at the time of publication, iRobot (maker of the Roomba) has bundled deals for several of its models that will get you 10 percent off. For example, the iRobot Roomba 890 Vacuuming Robot is bundled with the Braava 380t Mopping Robot. It would normally cost $799 to get this combo, but you can now get these two machines for $719.98.
— Store discounts and coupons. Perhaps the easiest way to get around paying full price is by using retailer coupons. Bed Bath & Beyond, for example, gives you a 20 percent off coupon when you sign up for its email list. It also frequently includes coupons for 20 percent off in its mailings. Snag one of these coupons to make a $500 vacuum, for example, cost $100 less. Best Buy frequently offers discounts on specific brands. For example, it’s currently offering $50 off the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum (sale price $199, usually $249) and up to $100 off certain Neato Robotics robot vacuum models. For example, the Neato Robotics Botvac Connected App-Controlled Self-Charging Robot Vacuum usually costs $699 and is now $599.
— Look for seasonal sales. Knowing spring-cleaners are in the market to upgrade, retailers and manufacturers run specials during spring. This means you’ll see the extra-low prices you’d normally find only on major appliance-sale events, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. For example, Bed Bath & Beyond is offering $100 off select Dyson products through the end of March. Best Buy is holding a Spring Savings event offering 35 percent off appliances, including vacuums, through April 4. Amazon is holding a Spring Event, which features discounts on select vacuum brands, including Bissell, Black & Decker and iRobot. And Home Depot is running a spring appliance sale, which includes up to $100 off select upright vacuums and up to $50 off select robotic vacuums.
[See: 10 Money Leaks to Shut Down Now.]
Purchase home-organizing products wisely. Those Ikea and Crate & Barrel catalogs you get in the mail prove that home organization can double as home decor. Yet the coordinated shelves, storage ottomans and drawers featured in these catalogs can get pricey. Here’s how to save.
— Declutter first. If you’re buying enough bins and decorative baskets to hold all your stuff, you may end up buying a lot. So declutter and donate what you don’t need first — then shop for storage.
— Join the email list. If you plan to buy a big-ticket organizational item, such as a new entertainment center or a shelving unit, signing up for store email lists can land you discounts. The Container Store’s POP! Rewards program, for example, gives you a 15 percent discount for joining.
— Hunt for category-specific discounts. With spring cleaning season underway, look for themed discounts from retailers. For example, the Container Store is offering 25 percent off kitchen and pantry organization through April 1. Pottery Barn is offering 20 percent off home-organization systems.
— Use less glamorous options in less visible areas. The old reliable black or clear plastic tub is neither aspirational nor attractive. However, nobody but you will see your garage or attic. Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target all have plastic bins with secure lids for less than $15 each. So stock up on these to store winter clothing, tools and more. Save the airy shelves and woven baskets for your living areas.
[See: 15 Spring Home Maintenance Tips.]
Ditch the pricey cleaning sprays for tried-and-true staples. The cleaning aisle has solutions for practically every type of filth your home could have, from dust to watermarks to mildew.
It’s hard not to get carried away and buy 10 bottles of cleverly packaged cleaning spritz for $5 each. Instead, search online for do-it-yourself cleaning solutions that utilize inexpensive household staples such as vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap — and portion these out into old, empty bottles to make solutions that tackle everything from dirty grout to smelly drains. Buy these ingredients in bulk to save even more.
For really tough tasks, old-school cleaning powders such as Bon Ami and Bar Keepers Friend do an impressive job for less than $2 per container.
Companies and products mentioned in this article may be promoted on www.offers.com.
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3 Savvy Ways to Save Money on Spring Cleaning Purchases originally appeared on usnews.com
