Just like everything else in Australia, the cost of cleaning supplies has also gone up. When you add up the costs of dishwashing tablets, sprays, laundry detergents and other cleaners you might find yourself paying more than $3 per day! A single dishwashing tablet can cost as much as $1.50 on its own.
I've put together a guide to saving money on cleaning supplies in Australia. Let me know in the comments what your top money saving tips for cleaning are.
Never Pay Full Price!
Coles and Woolworths usually discount expensive cleaning products like dishwashing tablets and laundry capsules on a regular basis. Basically every couple of weeks they will have a 1/2 price sale on these items.
It's worth shopping around and waiting for these items to drop down by 50% before buying.
You can also check at Bunnings and BigW – these stores often sell cleaning products at a discount.
It's also worth comparing different products. A product from Aldi might be just as effective as a Name Brand but half the price. You can compare products on CleanDB and Choice.
Use Dishwashing Liquid Around the House
While it might be called dishwashing liquid, it doesn't mean it only needs to be used for washing dishes. Dishwashing Liquid is just a blend of detergents that are excellent at breaking down grime and grease.
Dishwashing Liquid can be used as a multipurpose cleaner. Many professional cleaners use it to clean bathrooms. They'll dilute in a spray bottle with water and then just spray, wipe down and then rinse off.
Dishwashing Liquid is also the most effective cleaner in the kitchen. A small squirt in a small amount of warm water can be used to wipe down kitchen bench tops and splash backs. Unlike many spray and wipe cleaners it won't just move the grease around!
Invest in Good Microfibre Cloths
Microfibre cloths are effective at cleaning without needing any additional cleaning products. They can also be used over and over again. When they are dirty they can be washing in the washing machine.
Make use of Bicarb and Vinegar
Bicarb and vinegar are cheap cleaning products that can used for a variety of things. A lot of tutorials online suggest mixing with vinegar. Don't do this. I imagine these people didn't pay much attention in chemistry because all that's doing is creating salty water and the reaction will also do nothing to lift grease or grime.
Instead Bicarb can be used as a slight abrasive cleaner (ovens, cooktops, sinks etc). It can also be used as a deodoriser. Vinegar can be used to kill mould but it's not effective at removing grease (better to use dishwashing liquid).
A mix of vinegar and bicarb may be effective at unclogging drains where the small amount of gas might help dislodge things.
Switch to Swedish Dish Cloths
Swedish dish cloths are an alternative to the blue/green plastic kitchen cloths. They can also replace paper towel. Swedish dish cloths are made from a mix of cotton and paper. Between uses they dry out completely which stops bacteria and germs growing and they can be thrown in the dishwasher to be cleaned. They can be used again and again. Swedish dish cloths are also super absorbent and can be used instead of paper towel for wiping up liquids.
