Here is a list of 10 simple, easy, and cost-effective cleaning tricks that you can use to save a few bucks while still keeping your home nice and clean.
These tricks focus on their ability to be re-used, their cheap 'investment' cost, and their ease of use. I use quite a few of these and have recommended them all to friends and family.
Here we go!
These tricks focus on their ability to be re-used, their cheap 'investment' cost, and their ease of use. I use quite a few of these and have recommended them all to friends and family.
Here we go!
1. Fuzzy Sock Swiffer Pads
Don't waste money on refillable Swiffer cloths if you don't have to! Go out to a store (the dollar store in my case) and buy a cheap multi-pack of fuzzy socks. Then, you can either cut the sock open down the middle of the sole (bottom) for a flat sheet, or simply wrap the sock around the Swiffer head! I do the latter for simplicity.
You can see this post here that tells you all about it as well.
2. Reusable Wool Fabric Softeners
Ever used a tennis ball int eh dryer to help fluff up items like duvets or pillows? Do you use fabric softener (I used to!)? Then why are you not doing this?! These things are AWESOME! What you need to do is go buy a small pack of 100% wool yarn, wrap it up into a tight ball, then wash & dry on HOT setting to help felt the wool. This produces a tight little ball that sticks together neatly. The balls (tee-hee) help to increase drying time, reduce static, and soften clothes. Genius! See it here.
Don't waste money on refillable Swiffer cloths if you don't have to! Go out to a store (the dollar store in my case) and buy a cheap multi-pack of fuzzy socks. Then, you can either cut the sock open down the middle of the sole (bottom) for a flat sheet, or simply wrap the sock around the Swiffer head! I do the latter for simplicity.
You can see this post here that tells you all about it as well.
2. Reusable Wool Fabric Softeners
Ever used a tennis ball int eh dryer to help fluff up items like duvets or pillows? Do you use fabric softener (I used to!)? Then why are you not doing this?! These things are AWESOME! What you need to do is go buy a small pack of 100% wool yarn, wrap it up into a tight ball, then wash & dry on HOT setting to help felt the wool. This produces a tight little ball that sticks together neatly. The balls (tee-hee) help to increase drying time, reduce static, and soften clothes. Genius! See it here.
3. Re-Use Fabric Softener Sheets
If the wool ball trick isn't your thing, you can still save some money with regular fabric sheets. Not only can you use fabric softener sheets for two separate loads in the dryer (more than that starts to make that oily film come off and affect your dryer/clothes), but you can use them AFTER that as well as dust cloths! Think of them as another Swiffer hack, if you will. When I still used the fabric softener sheets (before the wonder of Wool Dryer Balls) I did this trick.
If the wool ball trick isn't your thing, you can still save some money with regular fabric sheets. Not only can you use fabric softener sheets for two separate loads in the dryer (more than that starts to make that oily film come off and affect your dryer/clothes), but you can use them AFTER that as well as dust cloths! Think of them as another Swiffer hack, if you will. When I still used the fabric softener sheets (before the wonder of Wool Dryer Balls) I did this trick.
4. Use Washable dish rags or T-shirt Rags
The title says it all. Why buy disposable wipes or paper towels when those costs stack up quickly? Buy an economy size/pack of your favourite cleaning product and get somerags. When you're done, toss them to be washed together (to avoid getting the cleaning chemicals on clothes, bedding, or food-related cloths). Easy peasy.
The title says it all. Why buy disposable wipes or paper towels when those costs stack up quickly? Buy an economy size/pack of your favourite cleaning product and get somerags. When you're done, toss them to be washed together (to avoid getting the cleaning chemicals on clothes, bedding, or food-related cloths). Easy peasy.
5. Use Kosher Salts and Cut Lemons to Clean
First of all: it smells amazing. Second of all: much cheaper than buying a harsh commercial scrub. This works great for things like the sink, the stove, cutting boards, or anything else that needs a good deep-cleaning scrub. This also works well with other harsh citruses like Grapefruit, as shown on Apartment Therapy.
Are there other trips and tricks that you use? Please share!
First of all: it smells amazing. Second of all: much cheaper than buying a harsh commercial scrub. This works great for things like the sink, the stove, cutting boards, or anything else that needs a good deep-cleaning scrub. This also works well with other harsh citruses like Grapefruit, as shown on Apartment Therapy.
Are there other trips and tricks that you use? Please share!