Save Money on Cleaning Supplies
Simple ways to help you save your hard-earned money.
Family Features
April 30, 2012
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Inexpensive and effective, lemons and baking soda are natural cleaning agents.
Brooke Becker/Fotolia
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According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the average consumer spends about $630 each year on household supplies. In fact, a recent study reveals that many Americans are letting their money go down the drain – literally – by spending too much on items like laundry detergent. In these tough economic times, families are looking for smart, new ways to save money without sacrificing quality, and the laundry room is a great place to start.
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Finding the right detergent is the first step toward clean, bright laundry. Look for a brand that provides the clean you need, at a fraction of the cost.
Here are more ways to keep clothes, floors and household surfaces in tip-top shape, without breaking the bank.
Keep it cool
Save on energy costs by using cold water whenever possible. Most detergents are powerful enough to get a deep-down clean regardless of the water temperature. So, whether running the dishwasher or the laundry machine, turn the dial to cold for savings.
Use, wash, repeat
Laundry rooms are often dubbed mud rooms. When cleaning these floors and surfaces, use reusable products like cloth towels whenever possible. In addition to being a green option, you’ll save money by not going through rolls and rolls of pricey paper towels.
Turn to homemade solutions
Forego costly cleaners and reduce cupboard clutter by making your own products with common household ingredients. A simple mix of baking soda and water creates a useful all-purpose cleaner; lemon juice cuts through grease; and an old toothbrush is perfect for scrubbing hard-to-reach places.
Stock up on essentials
Everyone should have one go-to product that addresses a multitude of messy situations at home. For instance, baking soda has countless cleaning and deodorizing uses, and costs less than $1 a box. Baking soda freshens carpets, cleans tiles and walls, polishes silver, deodorizes diaper pails, boosts laundry, and much more.