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How to Save Money on Cleaning Supplies

how to save money on cleaning supplies
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According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the average consumer spends about $630 each year on household supplies. In these tough economic times, families are looking for smart, new ways to save money without sacrificing quality.

Here are simple, realistic ways to save money on cleaning supplies without sacrificing a clean house:

Use multi‑purpose products

  • Choose one good all‑purpose cleaner instead of separate products for the kitchen, bathroom, and floors.
  • A single concentrate of vinegar/water mix plus dish soap or castile soap can handle most surfaces.

Vinegar + Water + Soap All-Purpose Cleaner

(Fills a 16 oz spray bottle, costs pennies per batch)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar (regular white vinegar works too)
  • 1 cup water (distilled or tap)
  • 1 teaspoon dish soap (Dawn, or a squirt of any liquid dish soap) OR ½ teaspoon liquid castile soap
  • Optional: 10-15 drops essential oil (lemon, tea tree, lavender) to cut the vinegar smell

Instructions:

  1. Pour vinegar into spray bottle.
  2. Add water.
  3. Add dish soap (or castile soap) and essential oils if using.
  4. Put lid on, gently swirl to mix. Shake before each use.

How to Use:

  • Spray on counters, sinks, appliances, bathroom surfaces, glass.
  • Wipe with microfiber cloth or sponge.
  • For floors: ¼ cup mix in mop bucket with warm water.
  • Let sit 1-2 minutes on soap scum or grease, then wipe.

Why It Works:
Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and kills most bacteria. Dish soap cuts grease. Water dilutes for safe daily use.

Pro Tips:

  • Test on hidden spot first (dark stone, wood).
  • Vinegar smell fades fast—essential oils help.
  • Make fresh weekly. Label bottle “Kitchen Cleaner” or whatever.

One batch replaces glass cleaner, counter spray, and bathroom spray.

Make basic DIY cleaners

  • Vinegar + water for glass and general surfaces.
  • Baking soda freshens carpets, cleans tiles and walls, polishes silver, deodorizes diaper pails, boosts laundry, and is a gentle scrub for sinks, tubs, and stovetops. 
  • A small squirt of dish soap in warm water for floors and counters.
  • Only DIY what you’ll actually use, so you don’t waste ingredients.

Buy concentrates, not ready‑to‑use

  • Look for “concentrate” on the label and dilute at home in a spray bottle.
  • Big jugs of peroxide, all‑purpose concentrate, or floor cleaner often work out much cheaper per use.

Go generic/store brand

  • Store‑brand glass cleaner, bleach, dish soap, and all‑purpose cleaners often perform just as well as name brands at a fraction of the price.
  • Start swapping one product at a time to see what you’re happy with.

    Switch from “single‑use” to reusable

    • Replace paper towels and disposable wipes with microfiber cloths or old cut‑up t‑shirts.
    • Use reusable mop pads or washable cloths instead of disposable Swiffer pads.

    Use the right tools so you use less product

    • Microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, and magic‑eraser‑style sponges reduce how much cleaner you need.
    • An old toothbrush is perfect for scrubbing hard-to-reach places.
    • A small bucket of soapy water and one rag can do what multiple sprays and wipes do.

    Stretch what you already have

    • Don’t follow the “more is better” instinct—most products work fine with less than the label suggests.
    • Dilute laundry detergent a bit if you tend to over‑pour; same with dish soap in a separate “soapy water” bottle.

    Avoid overly specialized products

    • You don’t need separate cleaners for stainless steel, granite, stove top, shower, toilet, etc.
    • Narrow it down to: glass, toilet bowl, and one safe all‑purpose cleaner like the recipe above.

    Buy in bulk (selectively)

    • If you have space, get bulk vinegar, baking soda, and concentrate cleaners at big‑box or warehouse stores.
    • Focus on things you always use so nothing expires under the sink.

    Store supplies correctly

    • Keep bottles closed tightly and out of direct sun so they don’t lose effectiveness.
    • Group things together so you don’t re‑buy what you already own.

    Set a simple cleaning routine

    • Regular light cleaning means you need fewer heavy‑duty products and less “rescue” cleaning.
    • A weekly wipe‑down with mild cleaners is cheaper than needing strong specialty products later.

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