Tough stains and grease can be a nightmare to manage, so it’s no wonder house-proud shoppers consistently turn to expensive brands when buying cleaning products.
If you don’t feel like parting with your hard-earned cash for overpriced sprays and detergents, it’s time to get creative with your cleaning routine. Here are some must-know tips that will change your house (and your bank balance) forever.
Use homemade cleaning products
Using everyday products found in your fridge or kitchen cupboards can be one of the cheapest ways to clean the house. Not only that, but you might find that natural cleaning solutions are more effective.
And with them being free from harsh chemicals, you can promote a healthier and safer environment for pets and young children.
Lemons and limes are perfect for turning into a household cleaner. Mixed with water and vinegar, you can tackle everything from grease and grime to bacteria. Baking soda is fantastic for lifting stains and odours, and essential oils such as peppermint oil or eucalyptus act as an antibacterial and antifungal while adding a nice fragrance to rooms.
Use old toothbrushes for scrubbing
Old toothbrushes are the perfect product to reuse because they double up as great scrubbers for sinks, faucets and other hard-to-reach areas. They can even be used to remove tough stains in carpets or be used on the soles of shoes and trainers.
As well as saving you a few pennies on scrubbing brushes and scourers, you’re also being kind to the environment – a win-win situation for thrifty eco-warriors.
Dilute your disinfectant (inspired by Mrs Hinch)
If you follow the famous Mrs Hinch (@mrshinchhome) on Instagram, you’ll know that there are so many great hacks to clean your home without spending big cash.
One of her top tips is to dilute disinfectants as these are highly concentrated. Instead of buying specialised floor cleaner at a premium, she buys a cheap disinfectant product and adds water. This is a very cost-effective way of mopping dirty floors in bathrooms or kitchens while killing germs.
Don’t underestimate simple soap and water
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when tackling everyday cleaning in the home is using too many products. Very often, simple soap and water will do the trick.
If you’re not up against nasty bacteria or caked-in grime, skip the expensive branded cleaning sprays and opt for mild detergent and humble H2O first.
You may be surprised at just how versatile basic soaps can be. For example, washing up liquid can be used as a laundry or carpet stain remover, a window cleaner, and a surface spray for just about every room.
Store cleaning supplies properly
Improperly stored cleaning supplies can result in spillages, cross-contamination of chemicals, items going out of date, or products being exposed to temperature or light. As well as improving safety in the home and keeping things out of reach from pets and children, the right storage will also make products last longer.
Plus, having well-organised cleaning cupboards will save you from doubling up on products you already have. Typical expiry dates are around 2 years, so it’s important to keep an eye on the dates on the bottle.
Do regular spring cleans
Frequent cleaning is the best way of maintaining a clean, tidy and healthy home. It also saves you money in the long-run through preventative action. For instance, regularly cleaning window bays and airing out rooms can prevent mould build-up. Once mould and fungus set in, they can be very expensive to remove.
The same applies for problem areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Maintain your shower stall weekly and you won’t have to re-grout or replace damaged parts. Do a full scrub of your oven monthly and you won’t have to fork out for specialist oven degreasers when food gets caked in.
This budget-friendly cleaning advice has been provided by the leading platform for professional cleaners in London, TidyChoice. We would love to hear your money-saving cleaning suggestions or any comments you may have.
