Are you tired of spending a small fortune each year on cleaning supplies? You aren’t alone! The costs can quickly add up — especially if you have kids or pets. Fortunately, you don’t have to grin (or rather, frown) and bear it. Rather, you can use these 10 simple tips to save big on home cleaning supplies:
- Instead of using harsh laundry detergents to get out a pesky stain, try using dish soap and a sponge. You can also try this on carpets.
- Speaking of dish soap: use a foaming soap dispenser. You’ll be amazed at how much longer you’ll go between buying new bottles.
- If your fridge is smelling a bit funky, then stick in a bowl of coffee grounds. Just remember to replace it about every two or three months.
- Want to give your carpets and rugs a refresh? Sprinkle some baking soda, wait a few hours or overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly. If the odor persists, then you may need to repeat the procedure.
- Fed up with dust collecting on your TV and computer screens? Simply wipe them down with a used fabric softener sheet. This will zap away the static and make it harder for dust to collect on the surface.
- Use good ol’ fashioned — and cheap! — white vinegar to clean countertops, metal taps, mirrors, and glass shower doors. If you find the smell is too strong, then mix it with water. Vinegar is also great for cleaning coffee machines and kettles.
- Instead of using wads of paper towels to wipe down windows, use old newspapers. Just remember to wear gloves, because the newsprint can get in your hands (if this happens then don’t panic, it’ll wash off with soap!).
- How many sponges do you go through in a year? Dozens? Well, here’s a great way to cut your costs: put a damp, soiled sponge in the microwave for two minutes. This will destroy virtually all of the germs. When finished, let the sponge sit in the microwave for a few minutes to cool down.
- If your showerhead is covered in limescale, then before you buy a costly cleanser from the store try this: fill a sandwich bag with vinegar, put the bag over the showerhead, and then use a rubber band to hold it in place (so that the showerhead is submerged in the liquid). Let this solution sit overnight, and the next day you should find the lime scale gone and the water flow more powerful.
- This last tip is about cleaning your car — specifically your headlights, which over time get covered in dirt and grime, and make it hard to see where you’re going at night. Instead of spending $50 or more on a professional headlight cleaning kit, try this (it’s a bit weird but it works): take a damp, soft cloth and add a little toothpaste. Then, firmly run the surface of each headlight using small circles. If necessary, add more toothpaste and water. Do this for about five minutes, paying careful attention not to touch any of the surrounding area (if you wish, you can first cover these areas in masking tape to avoid accidental scratching). Next, rinse each headlight thoroughly. You can also add a little wax to help prevent further oxidation and damage. Tip: keep these items in your glove compartment or E&G console vault for convenient access the next time your headlights need some TLC.