How to save money on everyday cleaning products

Household cleaning products are a billion-pound industry, but like everything, even the cost of these has gone up. If you're looking to find your favourite cleaning must-have for less, here's what you need to know.

Prices of consumer goods have risen by 9.6% over recent years – the fastest rate in four decades. And while household cleaning products may not be the most exciting part of your household spend, it's an area where we all have our favourite go-to items, and these can quickly add up.

We've looked at a range of best-selling UK cleaning products to show you just how much the price varies  from store to store:

10 thrifty ways to save money on household essentials:

Of course, there are a multitude of ways to save on the household essentials listed above, from the obvious - buy non-branded products and use supermarket loyalty cards , to some of the ideas below:

1. Switch to multi-purpose products: Invest in winning multi-purpose options, rather than multiple products for different jobs. One good all-purpose cleaner can replace separate bathroom, kitchen, and surface cleaners, significantly reducing your shopping bill.
2. Shop at discount retailers. Consider buying cleaning products from budget supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, or Home Bargains instead of premium brands. Their own-brand products often perform just as well at a fraction of the cost.
3. Shop the promotions. Stock up during sales at major supermarkets like Tesco, ASDA, or Sainsbury's when they have cleaning product promotions. Events like Asda's Big Cleaning Event will allow you to save on bulk buys and your favourite household products. Non-perishable items like toilet paper, bleach, and washing powder can be stored easily and for a long time.
4. Use less product. Most people use far more cleaning products than necessary. Read the instructions and measure properly - you'll often find that half the recommended amount works just as effectively.
5. Use cashback apps: Download apps like Honey and Top Cashback when shopping online or in-store. Many offer cashback deals specifically on household essentials and cleaning products
6. Check unit prices: Always compare the cost per 100ml or per wash rather than the shelf price. Larger containers often offer better value, but not always - sometimes smaller bottles are actually cheaper per unit.
7. Buy generic cleaning tools: You may love Scrub Daddy sponges and the Minky microfibre cloths, but these are costly. Purchase non-brand microfibre cloths, sponges, and brushes from discount stores like Temu or even your high street supermarket to save yourself pounds. For example, the Scrub Daddy sponge is brilliant but costs £2,75 at Sainsbury's. Swap for three Dishmatic Wonder Scrub Sponges with a similar flexi-fibre non-scratch texture that changes with water temperature, for just £2 (so 66p per sponge)
8. Dilute fabric softener: Many fabric softeners can be diluted with water by up to 50% and still work effectively, essentially doubling your product's lifespan. Plus, don't be fooled by the laundry hype: You don't need to buy extra scent-boosting beads, sheets, or sprays or powders in your washes to make your clothes smell fresh.
9. Washing-up liquid is multi-purpose: A quality washing-up liquid like Fairy can clean floors, surfaces, and even work as a stain pre-treatment, eliminating the need for multiple specialised products.
10. Shop end-of-line product ranges: Visit Home Bargains, TK Maxx, B&M, or The Range for discontinued cleaning brands at heavily reduced prices. 

How to save money on eco-friendly products:

A recent Uswitch report found that 41% of UK customers considered eco-friendly products "very important", with further research showing that 96% of consumers have purchased eco-friendly products, with 34% buying them regularly and 62% occasionally. The good news is that being eco-friendly doesn't mean having to spend more. Here's how to save and still be good to the environment.

1. Shop own-brand eco lines: Major supermarkets now offer their own eco-friendly ranges at much lower prices than premium eco brands, often using similar formulations. Aldi, for instance, requires their suppliers of cleaning products to adhere to the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning – a Europe-wide scheme to promote sustainability in the cleaning products industry, and Sainsbury's has their own GreenCare line of products that are cost-effective and good for the environment.
2. Use concentrated products. One way to be more eco-friendly is to replace dozens of cleaning products with just one standout concentrate. Brands like OceanSaver offer cleaning tablets that you dissolve in water - one small packet replaces a whole bottle of conventional cleaner at a fraction of the cost. Plus, eco cleaners are often more concentrated than traditional products, so you need smaller amounts. Start with half the recommended dose and increase only if necessary.
3. Use a smaller amount of any product: This is also a great way to be sustainable and save yourself money. Research shows we all use too much product when cleaning. For example, according to the experts at Good Housekeeping, you shouldn't need more than a couple of squirts per five litres of water!
4. Use everything completely before replacing. Many people replace cleaning products when they're 80% empty or buy new ones while still having partial bottles. Dilute concentrated cleaners properly to maximise their lifespan and save you money.
5. Repurpose old containers: You can also save empty spray bottles and refill them with homemade solutions, or buy concentrated refills. A good trigger spray bottle can last for years with proper care.
6. Make your own cleaning solutions: You can create cleaners using basic ingredients like white vinegar (£1), baking soda (50p), and Castile soap (£3-4). These three items can be used to make all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, scrubs, and laundry detergent, costing pennies per use compared to £3+ eco-branded bottles.
7. Repurpose household items as cleaning tools. Old t-shirts work better than paper towels for many cleaning tasks, used toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning tiles, and newspaper cleans windows streak-free. Doing this reduces both your need for specialised cleaning tools while giving household items a second life before disposal.
8. Stop using surface wipes. Use microfibre cloths instead. One set of microfibre cloths (£4) can replace hundreds of pounds worth of surface wipes over their lifetime while being completely reusable and more eco-friendly.
9. Use Castile soap: Castile soap, an olive oil-based hard or liquid soap, can also be used as a cleaner. For example, it's an eco-friendly replacement for dish soap. Mix 1-2 tablespoons in warm water for washing dishes by hand, or add one tablespoon of the mixture to your dishwasher's detergent compartment for machine washing. It's also ideal as an eco-friendly replacement for all-purpose cleaning spray, mopping solution, and surface scrub. Buy it from Holland and Barrett.
10. Steam clean: Invest in a handheld steam cleaner that uses only water to sanitise and clean surfaces. Steam naturally kills 99.9% of bacteria and germs without any chemicals, making it perfect for cleaning bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, and even furniture.

How to save money on cleaning subscription services and bulk buys:

The UK is experiencing a surge in subscription services for household staples such as disinfectants, surface cleaners, washing powder, and other cleaning necessities. Prices vary and are dependent on your household needs, but here's what to look out for:

1. Amazon: One way to save money on cleaning products is to sign up for Amazon Subscribe & Save or similar services for regular deliveries of cleaning essentials. They are worth it as you often get 5-15% discounts plus free delivery, and you get to choose whether you want the item every month, 6 weeks or more.
2. Buy in bulk with refill systems: Large-size refills are available in most supermarkets. Try Miniml, now available in Sainsbury's. Better still, re-use empty plastic cleaning containers with own-brand cleaners bought in bulk.
3. Smol: This brand promises to be plastic-free and cruelty-free, producing 35% less carbon than larger brands. Focusing on laundry and liquid detergent tablets, Smol offers washes at 25p a wash. Well-known brands can cost 30p per wash tablet, so it's a good saving. That said, an own-brand detergent comes in at far less at 10p per wash, though without the excellent eco credentials. Try out the free trial with nine capsules delivered to your door.
4. Shop at Home Bargains and B&M for much cheaper branded cleaning products. This is because they bulk buy and overstock end-of-line products, allowing them to sell for less.
5. Dunelm is a hidden gem of a shop on the bulk buy front. They've also got a fabulous range of refill and eco-friendly products that make cleaning feel more stylish (and green ) at a great price.
6. Always stock up during sales cycles - cleaning supplies often go on sale seasonally. Use Pricerunner to track prices and get notifications for deals.
7. When bulk buying, consider generic or store brands as well, which are often 30-50% cheaper than name brands. This saving makes these household products even more affordable than items on sale or at bargain stores.
8. Opt for one product over three to save money. Replace separate bathroom, kitchen, and floor cleaners with one eco multi-purpose cleaner. Doing this reduces your product count by 70-80% while maintaining cleaning effectiveness across all surfaces.
9. Make use of voucher codes, for instance, you can currently get 30% off first orders at Ocado, enabling you to stock up for less on household goods.
10. Finally, use grocery store loyalty programs. Currently, with Nectar at Sainsbury's, the whole Cif range is on offer, with a third off the best-selling cream cleansers and sprays.

If the above has helped you save money and budget more easily, do check out our blog posts on the Top 10 voucher codes this month, the Lidl Plus loyalty card and How to get a Nectar card.