Smart Swaps: Budget-Friendly Alternatives for Home Cleaning

Introduction

Cleaning products can be expensive, especially if you shop for name brand products. I am a long-term user of frugal cleaning products, which not only save money but reduce the use of harsh chemicals and are eco-friendly. This post will cover several cleaning items and provide a few DIY recipes. Many of these cleaning products are similar to what our grandparents and great-grandparents would be using. 

All-Purpose Cleaners

Vinegar and Water

My husband likes to tell me our house smells like pickles when I’m done moping. I like to use vinegar for a lot of household cleaning. Vinegar is a cheap, natural cleaner. To make your own cleaner all you need is a spray bottle, vinegar, and water. Essential oils are an optional addition, but add a pleasant smell in addition to some antibacterial benefits! 

Baking Soda

Baking Soda neutralizes odors and can be used as a scrub. I recently had to use some to deodorize the bottom of my trash can after a particularly bad smell lingered. Scrubbing can help with a variety of surfaces such as the sink, tub and countertops. A quick Google search assures me it is safe on granite, but I would still test it in an inconspicuous space before using it on your entire countertop. 

Surface Cleaners

Melamine Sponges

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are miracle workers, but cost about $1 each at Walmart. Awhile back someone shared on Instagram that you could just purchase melamine sponges on Amazon for way cheaper. I can purchase a 100 pack for $28. They aren’t quite as durable as the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, but they still do the job. I just used one a few days ago to get marker off of my daughter’s Tonie Box. Please note that I read recently that these sponges (both kinds) may have some unsafe chemicals. Since reading that article I have quit allowing my child to use the erasers and started using gloves while using them. 

Essential Oils for Scent

Adding essential oils to homemade cleaners can add a pleasant scent. I have a Great Pyrenes who is huge and makes our sectional stinky. I frequently use vinegar, water and some essential oils to make our couch smell better. Once again, test it in an area no one will see before spraying it on your entire couch. Please note, you can just use your counter spray for this purpose as well. 

Bathroom Cleaners

Lemon Juice for Limescale and Soap Scum

Lemon juice is naturally acidic and can be used to tackle some tough bathroom stains. All you need is lemon juice, vinegar and water. Combine your ingredients, spray on the surface and then wipe clean. Please note, this is not granite safe. 

Borax for Toilets

Borax is a strong, natural cleaner that can clean toilets and remove the stains. Sprinkle some borax in the toilet, let it sit for a while and then scrub. Borax can also be used for all purpose cleaners and in a homemade laundry detergent recipe. 

Floor Cleaners

Homemade Floor Cleaners

I have used vinegar to clean my tile and wood floors for awhile. It’s cheap and easy with vinegar, water and some dish soap. With wood floors you do have to make sure you don’t oversaturate your floor. 

Frugal Alternatives at the Store

If you don’t want to make your own cleaner there are some frugal alternatives you can buy at your local store. Sometimes I buy the Walmart knockoff of Swiffer pads. I know it isn’t the most frugal but it is good for quick clean-ups. You can also purchase a 128-ounce container of Fabulosa for $8 at Walmart. Since it’s a concentrate you don’t need to use that much and it’s a fairly frugal option. 

Window Cleaners

Cornstarch 

I have never tried this one, but will soon. Cornstarch mixed with water and rubbing alcohol is a great window cleaner. I’ve also tried the newspaper and vinegar route with minimal success. A bottle of Great Value window cleaner is currently $1.56 at Walmart. To make this recipe it would cost approximately $0.55 with essential oils added for scent, $0.33 without. This recipe is definitely worth a try, especially if you have the ingredients on hand. 

 Laundry Solutions

 Homemade Laundry Detergent

This is a recipe I’ve used for a long time. I keep a five gallon bucket in my laundry room full of the detergent. It lasts a long time and smells great. All you need to make your laundry detergent It is washing soda, borax, OxiClean and grated soap. I also add a container of Downy Unstoppables to up the clean smell. In my recipe I include a cheaper option for a scent boost. Not only is this recipe a lot better for the environment than the liquid detergent, it is a lot cheaper. 

Cost is approximately $7 for 30-40 Loads. Walmart’s Great Value Laundry Detergent is $11.64 for 107 loads. If cost is your only factor, then the homemade laundry detergent is only slightly cheaper if you eliminate the scent booster. If you are concerned about the environment, safe ingredients and cost then the homemade may be a good option for you. 

 Vinegar as a Fabric Softener

Vinegar can be added to your fabric softener dispenser or directly to the machine. This helps soften and eliminate odors in the wash. This is another ecofriendly and budget friendly alternative to traditional fabric softener. Your laundry will not smell like pickles at the end, but it certainly won’t smell like Downy. Once again, the savings are marginal on this when compared to Great Value Fabric Softener. 

Conclusion

These budget friendly swaps are easy and eco-friendly. You may have many of the required ingredients already in your home. Please try out these hacks and share your experiences in the comments below. Click the link below to subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free copy of my budget friendly cleaning recipes. Also, subscribe to my blog to receive more frugal living tips!

Like this post? Consider reading my post on Cheap Ways to Have Fun for Families.