Household Cleaning Materials

We have divided our former Household Tips page into two sections, this one - and the second Household Chores.

We hope you will find these pages easier to use.

Cleaning materials often become the Cinderella of the budget as far as money is concerned - always there, but not much thought about.

These tips have all been tried and tested and will help you save a small fortune if used continuously!

Some have been contributed by friends and if you would like to add your household tip to this list, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please see below for details.

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1. Instead of expensive branded name washing detergents buy the cheaper supermarket own brand (Tesco make a good one that is about a third of the cost of the top brands) and add one heaped tablespoon of washing soda crystals when you are washing dirty working clothes etc.

This is what the manufacturer will use when making their own more expensive ‘dirt and grease removing’ brands and they will charge you accordingly!

Caution. If you have a Siemens, Bosch or Neff machine do not use soda crystals as this will damage the coating of the drum.

2. Don't waste money buying the small hand-wash soap dispensers, which only contain around 250 ml of liquid soap. When you you have used the contents of your present dispenser just refill with Tesco Creme Bath (or similar). This now costs 99p per litre which should provide you with four re-fills.

It is just as effective as the expensive dispensers normally priced at over £1.00. Thank you - Chrissie of Chelmsford, Essex.

Taking this tip one step further, try refilling your shower gel bottles - the type with the twist-off cap - with Creme Bath. These also contain only 250 ml and are priced around 99p. each, so another great saving amounting to a few pounds here.

Before buying any of the cleaning materials mentioned on this page, check out the site to the right and see how you can save even more money.

3. Although spray-on polishes are quick and easy to use where furniture is concerned, it is far kinder to the wood to use an old-fashioned beeswax type polish. (Tesco sell one). Just rub in and polish using the old sweat shirt dusters.Tip.9

This method actually saves on time etc. because it will only be necessary to polish your furniture once every six months – a light dusting is all that will be needed between times. If you get any finger marks showing, just rub extra hard with your duster and think 'save money' as you do it and it will make the elbow grease flow! Many old-fashioned cleaning materials put the 'modern' products to shame.

4. Do not buy window-cleaning sprays - make your own. Use the old empty sprayer; fill with 2/3rd cold tap water and 1/3rd white vinegar. Use as normal. Old screwed up newspapers make good window polishers

5. Another home mix for cleaning windows is one pint warm water with a heaped tablespoon of cornflour mixed in. Pour into an old spray bottle, shake well and use as a normal window cleaner spray.

6. Mix Borax with lemon juice (Tesco's own brand is OK.) into a fairly stiff paste and keep in a small lidded plastic container. This is one of excellent cleaning materials for cleaning sinks and bathsmade from products you will probably already have in your cupboard. Rinse well when finished and it will really make them shine.

If you are feeling a trifle pushed for time, a small amount of bicarbonate of soda sprinkled directly into the sink and then rubbed with a damp cloth produces excellent results. Bicarbonate of Soda is one of the best and safest cleaning materials. It doesn't scratch, doesn't stain and is so easy to use. Just right for the busy lady (or man).

7. Instead of kettle descaler, use white vinegar instead. About 6 tablespoons of vinegar will be sufficient. Add water up to the ‘scale line’, boil it up, and leave to stand overnight. The result is amazing. Rinse the kettle out before re-using.

You will probably find that this cheap method lasts longer than the shop bought products.

Some of our friends also recommend using Coca Cola for this job. Fill your kettle to the scale line with Coke and leave to stand over night. Rinse as above. It is possible to re-bottle the used Coke for future descaling use - not drinking!

Take a look at our page Water and Health and Coca Cola

8. If you can buy either washing-up-liquid or household bleach in gallon containers, these will save you pounds when decanted into normal sized plastic bottles. Booker Cash and Carry are currently selling washing-up liquid at £2.25. per gallon.

9. Don't buy expensive dusters and cleaning cloths. Just cut up old sweat shirts and T's and use them instead.

The material does not fray at the edge, so nothing further needs to be done - just cut and use. Best of all, they make lovely soft polishers!

10. To really save money on dust bags for your vacuum cleaner, go to Vacuum Cleaner Dust Bags The postage charges and delivery service are excellent.

11. You may find that a dishwasher tablet cut in half (use a sharp knife and cut whilst the tablet is still in the wrapping) works fine. This is like having every alternate wash free! Cleaning materials for free!

12. Instead of expensive dishwasher cleaners, (normally £2.00 each per bottle) fill the dispenser with soda crystals and run through on a hot programme. Use a programme that does not have a pre-wash, or if this is not possible, run through the pre-wash then add the crystals. This household tip just concentrates on an item - washing soda - that has been around for ages and is so very useful. See the cautionary advice on Tip No.1.

One super-conscious saver uses just soda and no dishwasher tablet for a periodical wash. She maintains her dishes are just as clean and she has also cleaned her machine at the same time. Top marks to Helen from Essex. Thanks.

13. Don’t buy expensive stainless steel cleaners use baby oil instead. Wipe over the surface of the item with baby oil using a soft cloth then just polish up the surface with another cloth. (Part of a sweatshirt – remember previous Tip 9). Thanks to Guy from Norfolk for this tip.

14. Don't buy expensive limescale tablets for your washing machine, use the cheaper ones from Lidl, sold under the trade name of Adritt Limescale Tablets or those from Tesco sold under their own brand name.

15. Not exactly about cleaning materials, but if you drop your mobile phone in water, try the following. A fisherman dropped his phone in the river. He took it home, placed it in a bowl of rice to cover it completely. In the morning it worked. Obviously this can't be guaranteed, but there is nothing to be lost by trying it.

16. To remove mould stains from bathroom tile grout try using household bleach. This can be applied using an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. For really stubborn stains, especially on silicone sealants, a powerful sodium hypochlorite based cleaner such as HG mould spray may be necessary. This is usually obtainable from DIY stores or plumbers' merchants.

17. Did you know that your 'plug-in' air freshner will continue using electricity even when it is empty and is in need of replacement?

18. For a free catalogue on High Street brand furniture said to be at half-price, go to www.trade-secret.co.uk

19. When you need to buy a large consumer item take a look at this independent site and seek out their good advice.

Take a look at all our ways to save money on food and so learn how to save even more money.