How to Shop For Spring Cleaning Supplies at the Dollar Store

When you're shopping at the dollar store, it's tempting to pick up more than you need simply because the prices are so good. However, just like any other store, many of the cleaning supplies they sell can be safely left on the shelf. Trust me, your home's cleanliness won't suffer and, more importantly, neither will your wallet.

Here's how to shop for spring cleaning supplies at the dollar store.Brand Name vs. No-Name

When you're talking about liquid cleaners, the general rule is that brand names are better because they're not watered down. I'll always choose Spic and Span or Comet all-purpose cleaners over a lesser known brand, because I can rely on them to clean well using less product.

There are exceptions to the rule, though. I recently washed a hardwood floor using Delon's brand of oil soap, rather than Murphy's and found that it worked very well, indeed.

You can buy a 591ml bottle of Comet multi-surface cleaner for $1.50 or 465ml of Spic and Span multi-surface liquid cleaner for the same price at Dollarama.

Disposable vs. Washable

One-use cleaning wipes and mop pads may save you a minute or two but are no friend to your budget. It's far more cost-efficient to buy cleaning cloths that can be washed over and over.

I particularly like the micro-fiber dusters. You can use them wet or dry to clean without soap. I use one to polish glass table tops and delicate knick-knacks without using a cleaner.

Dollarama also has replacement micro-fiber mop pads for $1.50 that you can use wet or dry. You'll have to check it out yourself to see if it will fit your particular mop.

Natural vs. Chemical

Vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda all clean and disinfect without harming your budget or the environment and all are available at the dollar store.

Rather than a glass cleaner and mounds of paper towels, I rely on vinegar in a bucket of hot water to wash my windows. I wash with half of an old tea towel or dish cloth and dry with old tea towels for beautiful results.

Get the scoop on more natural cleaning solutions at Green Living Ideas.

Extras?

Scotch Brite has a variety of sponge cleaning pads at Dollarama. Their Nook and Cranny scrubbers cost $1.50 each but I'm wondering if a stiff brush won't do the job just as well.

As for sponge pads, I've been using the two-sided cheapies that come in multi-packs for years. One package only costs a buck and, although they're a little smaller than the name brand, they have a Teflon scrubber on one side that suits my needs just fine.

A 700g box of Arm & Hammer carpet odor eliminator with Oxy Clean dirt fighters costs $2. I've used these products before but a box of their regular baking soda is cheaper and probably all you really need to freshen a carpet.


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RELATED LINKS

How Spring Cleaning Could Make You Money
Get More Bang For Your Spring Cleaning Buck
Five Great Reasons to Spring Clean


Marlene Alexander is an independent writer and Dollar Store Diva. She writes tips and ideas for finding and using the best the dollar store has to offer.