Here's How to Save a Bundle on Cleaning Supplies

Ask anyone with a clean home what their secret is, and they're likely to tell you it's easy. They keep it simple. Some make their own cleaning supplies, but if that doesn't appeal to you, it's as easy as going online to find everything you'll need to bring out the sparkle in your home with as little effort as possible. 

If your goal is to save money rather than spend it on bottle after bottle of different products, look for cleaning supplies that do more than one job. Here are a few cleaning products that can be used in different ways, along with some tips on how to buy supplies online.

Microfiber cleaning cloths

Microfiber cloths are remarkably useful. They're super soft and non-abrasive and work equally well with dry and liquid cleaners. They're durable (soaking up to eight times their own weight) and leave behind a streak-free, lint-free shine. Best of all, they're far less expensive than rolls of paper towels. For example, this 24-pack of microfiber cloths can be reused hundreds of times and is only $13 on The Home Depot website.

All-purpose disinfectant spray 

Why drain your checking account by buying a different cleaning product for every single job in your house? Instead, opt for a great all-purpose cleaner that is also a disinfectant. Method makes an all-purpose antibacterial cleaner that can be used to clean counters, tile, stone, (sealed) wood, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and more. Some people also use it to clean glass, but you may find that it's not the right move for you (more on that in a moment).

A 28-ounce spray bottle of Method Antibacterial Cleaner (made from 100% recycled plastic, minus the nozzle and cap) sells for $4.69 on Target.com.

Window cleaner

BobVila.com suggests skipping the multi-purpose cleaner when it comes time to clean the glass in your home and looking for a product specifically designed to work without streaking. 

With more than 900 reviews, Method Glass Cleaner has a nearly five-star rating. Users say it's streak-free. Along with suggesting you buy a product specifically designed to clean glass, Bob Vila offers this tip: Use a lint-free cloth rather than paper towels to avoid leaving residue behind. A 28-ounce bottle of Method Glass Cleaner sells for $4.39 at Target.com. 

Stainless steel cleaner

It may seem counterintuitive, but according to Architectural Digest, to fight greasy fingerprints, you need a cleaning product with oils in it. The publication suggests a product like Koala Eco Glass Cleaner for all your stainless steel needs, from refrigerators to dishwashers, stoves, and microwave ovens. At $13.90 for a 17-ounce bottle, it's more expensive than some other cleaners listed here, but if you're just using it for stainless steel, you shouldn't have to replace it too often. 

Magic eraser cleaning sponges

If you haven't been introduced to magic cleaning sponges, you're missing out. They can do darn near anything. These things clean scuff marks like they're nothing, remove tough grime from nearly any surface, and make wall smudges disappear like magic. Better yet, they won't set you back much. For example, you can pick up 100 Magic Sponge Erasers for less than $15 on Walmart.com. Those of us who've been using them for a while have learned to extend the life of a box by cutting each sponge in half. 

Dishwashing soap

Unless you're in the habit of throwing away your dishes after eating (and who among us has not been tempted?), you frequently find yourself up to your elbows in dishwater. The dishwashing soap you choose can determine how much time and effort you must put into cleaning those dishes. 

That's why a product like Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is so popular. For $4.79 for 28 fluid ounces, Dawn does more than clean the pots, pans, and dishes of your life. It can also help remove laundry stains and microwave messes. It's great for degreasing cabinets, cleaning makeup brushes, and breaking down oil stains on the driveway. This stuff does it all, including saving wildlife following oil spills. 

Total costs

If you were to buy each of these cleaning items individually, you would spend around $53. However, it will be months before you need to splurge again on microfiber cloths or magic sponge erasers. That means when you run out of the other cleaning products, you're looking at a total bill of $25 to replace them. And that's not bad for a clean, disinfected home. 

Tips for buying cleaning products online

We all have different preferences when it comes to cleaning supplies. To find the perfect cleaning products for you (and your finances), here are a few tips:

• Read reviews: As you may have noticed, people do not hold back when they're writing a review. Unless a person has been paid for their opinion or received a product in exchange for a glowing review, they're pretty honest. 
• Consider eco-friendly options: There was a time when eco-friendly products were so much more expensive than "normal" cleaning products that it was tough to justify the cost. That's not typically the case anymore. While some eco-friendly products are a bit more expensive, many are competitively priced. If you want to minimize chemical exposure while helping protect the planet, keep your eyes peeled for biodegradable, plant-based products. 
• Shop around for the best price: Once you figure out which products are your favorites, occasionally shop around to make sure you're still getting the lowest price. Let's say you save a few dollars a month. That's a few more dollars you have to pay down debt or invest. 

Not everyone enjoys cleaning their home, and that's OK. What we can all agree on is how good it feels once the job is done.