How to save money when cleaning your home

We all have to clean our home.  If you‘ve got kids then the chances are you cleaning it even more often.

The cost of cleaning products and tools can soon mount up, especially when you start buying all kinds of specialist products.  Think kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner and shower spray.

When you’ve committed to extreme frugal living, you want to keep these cost down.  Luckily, for you, I’ve got a few hacks to help you out.

Use reusable cloths

It is obvious when you think about it.  But move away from disposable plastic sponges and kitchen roll.  Even products that you use multiple times before binning can be replaced with more durable options.

Aim to use cloths and wipes that will last you for years.  You can always stick them in your washing machine to get clean.

Next time you are cleaning think about the tools you are using and make sure that it is a reusable option that you are getting value for money from.

Clean windows with a dry cloth

Stop buying spray to clean your windows.  The easiest thing to do is to clean them with a dry cloth regularly.

For tougher dirt, you can use a slightly damp cloth, but be sure to go over it immediately with a dry cloth so that you don’t get watermarks.

You can use this on mirrors too.  Just wipe the mirror over with a dry cloth or a piece of toilet roll.  Lovely clean mirrors for next to nothing.

Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda

These are two major staples in the frugal cleaning cupboard.  Most items can be cleaned with these to simple products (including your hair).

You can use vinegar for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.  Bicarbonate of soda is great for toilets and carpets.

Head over to Pinterest for all the creative ways that people are using these two simple products to clean their homes.

Lemons for limescale

If we ever buy lemons for cooking, I always get excited because I know that I’m going to be limescale free.

I use whatever is left to wipe over my shower screens and squirt any juice on my taps and showerhead.  If you leave it overnight, by morning it will just wipe off.

You can use lemon juice that comes in bottles too, but I’ve found this less effective than real whole lemons.  I don’t know why.

Little and often

My top tip for frugal cleaning is that you try to do it regularly.  Everything is easier to clean and therefore requires fewer products if you do it regularly.

I recommend The Organised Mum Method, but feel free to create your own.  Just make sure that everything gets a quick clean at least once a week, then you won’t need to spend loads of money on industrial-strength products.

What do you use for cleaning your home?

Do you have any top tips for cleaning your home for less?  Are there any cheap products that you swear by?  Share in the comments below.