A budget guide from Alo Maids

Dollar stores for tools like sponges and brushes. Warehouse clubs for bulk liquids. Vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap for homemade cleaners. Buy one multi-purpose product instead of five specialty ones.

Cleaning supplies add up fast, and brand names charge a premium for scent and packaging, not better cleaning power. This guide covers the cheapest real sources, in order of savings.

1. Dollar Stores

Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar are the cheapest place for cleaning tools.

• Sponges: a 6-pack costs noticeably less than at big box stores
• Scrub brushes: some of the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere
• Gloves, microfiber cloths, and squeegees also run cheaper here

Brand-name liquids are a mixed bag. Clorox spray, for example, often costs more per ounce at dollar stores than at big box retailers, because dollar stores sell smaller bottles at a similar price. Buy tools at the dollar store. Compare price per ounce before buying liquids there.

Tip: Check unit price per ounce, not the sticker price. A smaller bottle can cost more per ounce than a bigger one.

2. Warehouse and Bulk Stores

Costco, Sam’s Club, and bulk cleaning suppliers sell multi-purpose cleaners in large containers. Buying in bulk cuts the price per ounce significantly compared to buying single bottles repeatedly.

• Buy one large jug of all-purpose cleaner instead of five small bottles
• Refill a spray bottle from the jug instead of buying pre-filled sprays
• Split a bulk pack with a neighbor or family member if you don’t need that much

This only saves money if you’ll actually use the product before it expires or you get tired of the scent. Don’t bulk-buy a cleaner you haven’t tried yet.

3. Make Your Own Cleaners

Basic household ingredients clean almost everything a specialty spray does, for a fraction of the cost.

Cleaner	Recipe	Best for
All-purpose cleaner	1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 10 drops essential oil	Counters, sinks, glass
Scouring paste	3 parts baking soda, 1 part water	Tubs, stovetops, grout
Grease cutter	2 tbsp dish soap, 1 cup warm water	Stovetops, oven doors
Bar soap scrub	Wet scrub brush rubbed directly on bar soap	Shower stalls, tile

A gallon of white vinegar costs about the same as one bottle of name-brand spray, and it makes several bottles of homemade cleaner. Baking soda works the same way for scrubbing pastes.

Tip: Don’t mix vinegar with bleach. It releases toxic fumes. Keep homemade and store-bought cleaners in separate, clearly labeled bottles.

4. Buy Multi-Purpose, Not Specialty

Specialty sprays for one job, glass cleaner, stainless steel polish, wood cleaner, cost more per bottle and each one gets used a handful of times before it expires unused.

• One all-purpose cleaner handles counters, sinks, and most hard surfaces
• A microfiber cloth replaces paper towels, glass spray, and dusting spray
• A single scrub brush handles tubs, grout, and stovetops

Fewer products means less money spent and less clutter under the sink.

5. Watch for Sales and Bundle Deals

Cleaning brands run regular sales, especially around spring and New Year, when cleaning searches spike.

• Stock up on non-perishable items like sponges and gloves when they’re on sale
• Look for store loyalty apps and digital coupons before checkout
• Bundle packs from big box and online retailers often beat buying items separately

Only stock up on items you’ll actually use. A discount isn’t a saving if the product sits unused.

6. Free and Low-Cost Sources

Before buying anything, check if you can get it for free.

• Buy Nothing groups and Freecycle.org: neighbors give away unused, unopened supplies
• Community centers and churches: some run donation closets with household basics
• Friends and neighbors: ask before assuming you need to buy

This works best for occasional needs, not your everyday go-to cleaner. Don’t expect a steady free supply.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying based on sticker price instead of price per ounce
• Stockpiling a scent or brand you haven’t tried
• Buying five specialty sprays instead of one multi-purpose cleaner
• Skipping the unit price label on the shelf
• Mixing cleaning chemicals, especially vinegar and bleach

When Buying Supplies Isn’t Worth the Hassle

Comparing prices, mixing recipes, and restocking takes time. If your schedule is already tight, the time spent hunting for deals can cost more than the money it saves.

Alo Maids brings its own supplies to every clean, commercial-grade products, fully stocked, no shopping required. You skip the store runs and the guesswork. We handle the rest.

Tired of shopping for cleaning supplies? Book an Alo Maids clean and let us bring everything.