Cheap and Best Cleaning Tips

It costs a lot of time and money to keep a home looking its best. Here are a few tips cheap and best cleaning that will help you do just that while saving some cash in the process.

Try to buy generic or store-bought cleaners instead of brand-name products. They tend to work just as well as the name brands, and they're usually much cheaper too.

1. Buy generic or store-bought cleaners

Most cleaning products are made from the same ingredients, so unless you like how a particular brand smells or if it makes your life easier, you should probably go generic. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch says that most products are not that different from each other, so it’s not worth spending more on a name-brand product when a generic can save you anywhere from 30 to 60 percent of the price.

All-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, bleach and furniture polish are some of the most common household items that can be bought as store brands or generic. These products usually work just as well, if not better than brand-name counterparts.

When it comes to all-purpose cleaners, be sure to follow the directions on the label. Many can be used on most non-porous surfaces, but some require a special “dwell time” to disinfect or sanitize.

If you do need a disinfecting or sanitizing cleaner, be aware that these are typically more expensive than generic cleaners. They also need to be left on the surface for a certain amount of time to kill bacteria.

Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, is a basic chemical compound that can’t be made incorrectly or less effective by the company who manufactures it, so generic versions have the same disinfectant and cleaning power as name-brand solutions. They can also save you an average of $1 a bottle, according to consumer expert Andrea Woroch.

2. Don’t be swayed by too many added features

Have you ever walked into your local grocery store and seen the best-looking cleaning products on display, only to be disappointed by what they were offering? For example, you might see an expensive bottle of spray cleaner for your kitchen counter or a specialty floor cleaner for the garage.

Luckily, there are some cheaper alternatives that are just as effective. The best part about these products is that they are usually made from natural ingredients, so you’re not harming the environment in the process. For the most part, they are also safer for your family than their expensive counterparts.

While you might not be able to find these cleaners in your local supermarket, there are a number of online retailers that carry them, so it isn’t hard to pick up some of the items on this list. One of the better options is Amazon, where you can find all the best home cleaners at a fraction of their retail price.

3. Use rags instead of paper towels

As much as we love them, paper towels aren’t cheap and they have a big impact on the environment. In fact, they make up a significant portion of the trash that ends up in landfills, releasing methane and contributing to global warming.

One way to reduce the amount of paper towels you use is to buy reusable ones instead. These can cost more than traditional paper towels, but they’ll last for years and save you a ton of money in the long run.

Another reason you should use rags instead of paper towels is that they’re more absorbent than paper towels, which means they will soak up liquids better. The reason they’re more absorbent is that they’re made from microfibers, which are very small fibers that are woven together tightly.

Unlike paper towels, these cloths aren’t prone to fraying or cracking, so they’ll last for a very long time. In addition, they’re incredibly soft and absorbent, so they’re ideal for cleaning all kinds of surfaces without leaving any marks or scratches.

The best part is that you can make your own rags by cutting up a few old towels or other absorbent materials that aren’t too ratty. You can also get them at your local thrift shop, or you can buy some that have already been cut up.

4. Use baking soda and vinegar for drains

It can cost hundreds of dollars to have a plumber come out to your home and clean out a clogged drain. However, you can avoid this by using a cheap and best cleaning solution: baking soda and vinegar.

Vinegar and baking soda are two of the most common household ingredients, and you probably have them at home already. They’re both naturally derived, safe to use, and effective at breaking down blockages in drains.

When these two chemicals are combined, they form a reaction that produces sodium acetate (a substance with a pH value of around 3), carbon dioxide, and water. This creates bubbles that are similar to those of carbonated beverages, and it’s this bubbling action that dislodges the clog in your drain.

But it’s important to remember that the mixture can be harmful to certain materials in your drain, such as rubber and plastic. This reaction can cause these materials to corrode, which could lead to more clogs in your pipes.

If you are using this DIY cleaner method, you should also be aware that it can take multiple repeat treatments to clear a stubborn clog. This is because it can be difficult to get the reaction under the surface of a clog.

If you are still having trouble unclogging your drain, it might be time to contact a professional. A clogged drain can be frustrating and expensive, so make sure to do your homework before you try this DIY method.

5. Use ammonia or vinegar for glass cleaner

If you want to save money on cleaning your glass surfaces, consider making your own cleaner. Mixing up a solution of white vinegar, water, and essential oils can work just as well as any commercial product without all the added chemicals.

Another option is to use an ammonia-free glass cleaner. These products often contain specialized surfactants to cut through grease and grime. They are also formulated to dry quickly and eliminate streaks.

The downside to using ammonia-free glass cleaners is the smell. It can leave your glass smelling pungent and offensive after use.

Instead, you can try a natural DIY glass cleaner that uses white vinegar and cornstarch. You can even add a bit of essential oil to the mixture for a more pleasing scent.

However, keep in mind that you should avoid applying this cleaning solution to your glass if it’s facing the sun. This can cause it to dry before the evaporation process begins, which will create streaks on the surface of your glass.

For more affordable and effective glass-cleaning solutions, you can try Windex’s Multisurface Vinegar Cleaner. It works well to remove smudges and fingerprints from all your glass surfaces, and it comes in a convenient bottle made of 100 percent recycled plastic. Plus, it leaves behind a streak-free shine on your windows and mirrors.

6. Use plain hot water for bathroom mirrors

One of the best ways to clean your bathroom mirrors is to use plain hot water. This will not only make the mirror look shiny and clean but will also help it last longer.

Another great tip is to use a microfiber cloth when cleaning your bathroom mirrors. These are the best type of cloth to use because they are lint free and can absorb all the smallest particles of dirt.

This is a much better alternative to cotton rags or paper towels, which are often abrasive and can leave behind residue when used to wipe down your bathroom mirrors.

If you need to remove tough stains or spots on your mirror, try using rubbing alcohol. It’s a great way to remove stubborn globs of toothpaste, hair spray splatters and fingerprints.

Once you’ve removed the specks, it’s time to wash the mirror thoroughly. This can be done by using either a commercial glass cleaner or a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

After the mirror has been washed, dry it thoroughly. This will not only eliminate the appearance of any drip marks, but it will also prevent streaks from appearing.

In addition to these tips, you can also use a homemade mirror polish to remove the streaks on your bathroom mirror. Simply apply a thin layer of a mixture of baking soda and water to your bathroom mirror, and then let it dry. Once it has dried, wipe the mirror down with a clean microfiber cloth to restore a shine.