How To Cut On Cleaning-Related Spending And Keep Your Home Neat

The Money We Wash Down the Drain

If your monthly shopping bill feels suspiciously high, your cleaning cupboard might be the culprit. Yes, that shiny row of plastic bottles with their punchy promises and rainbow labels is likely rinsing more cash from your wallet than you think. It’s easy to fall for it. Flashy ads, slick slogans, and shelves full of miracle potions convince us we need a special cleaner for every surface, stain, and smell. But here’s the kicker—keeping your home clean doesn’t need to cost the same as your council tax.

I learnt this the hard way. After a rainy Saturday spent reorganising under the sink, I found no fewer than 24 cleaning products. I’d spent years buying into every miracle stain remover and lavender-scented spray with the enthusiasm of someone auditioning for a supermarket sweep. But the truth? I only ever used about five of them. The rest? Wasted money and plastic, shoved into dark corners.

So let’s get honest. If you’re tired of watching your hard-earned cash disappear in clouds of foam and lemon-scented mist, it’s time to rethink the way you clean. Here’s how you can tidy your flat, house, or one-bed studio in Catford, Clapham or Camden—without bankrupting yourself.

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Stop Believing the Rubbish You See on TV

Ads Are Designed to Sell, Not to Serve

You know the ones. That mum gleefully scrubbing away tomato sauce with her bright-eyed toddler playing beside her. The dish soap that apparently has the power of ten dragons. The loo cleaner that practically performs CPR on your plumbing. Entertaining? Yes. Honest? Not quite.

TV and online ads are designed to trigger your fears and make you believe your house isn’t clean enough. They toss around terms like “ultra-strength” and “deep clean technology” as if you’re dealing with radioactive grime. But half the time, the cleaning results are staged. That miracle cream that melts limescale on telly? Try it on your real-world tap and you’ll likely end up scrubbing for ages, wondering if you’re using it wrong.

Don’t get sucked in by brand loyalty either. Just because a bottle costs a fiver and has a jazzy label doesn’t mean it works any better than the supermarket’s own brand sitting quietly next to it.

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The Most Expensive Isn’t Always the Most Effective

Test, Try, Repeat

Here’s what I started doing: I played cleaning scientist. I bought cheap, middle-of-the-road, and brand-name versions of the same type of product—floor cleaner, toilet gel, all-purpose spray. Then I tested each one in different spots around the house. What I found was this: often, the cheaper ones did the job just as well. Sometimes better.

That £1.30 supermarket spray? Took care of the greasy hob in one wipe. The £4.99 “miracle” spray? Needed multiple goes and smelled like a chemical weapon. It’s not about spending more. It’s about learning what works in your home, with your surfaces, and your lifestyle. And let’s face it—most of us aren’t trying to pass a white-glove test from the Queen. We just want the counters to be clean and the toilet to stop smelling like something crawled into it and gave up.

The best way to save? Get curious. Test new products. Keep receipts. Make notes. Your best cleaner might not have a TikTok account—but it will do the job quietly and cheaply.

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Multi-Purpose Cleaners: The Secret Weapon

Three Bottles Can Rule Them All

Here’s the real scandal—most households have one cleaner for the kitchen, another for the bathroom, something for the floor, one for glass, another for wood, yet another for stainless steel… and before you know it, your cleaning cupboard looks like aisle 12 in B&Q.

Cut through the nonsense. A solid multi-purpose spray, a good degreaser, and a floor cleaner will do 90% of your cleaning jobs. Multi-purpose doesn’t mean weak. It just means practical. And most of the time, those specific cleaners aren’t doing anything your general one can’t handle.

Here’s my go-to: one bottle of multi-surface spray (the kind safe for wood, tile, metal), a concentrated floor cleaner you can dilute, and a spray for limescale and grime. Add a couple of old-school microfibre cloths and you’re sorted.

You don’t need a separate spray for your fridge and your microwave. They’re not in different chemical dimensions. Keeping it simple means less clutter, fewer half-used bottles, and more space for things that matter—like biscuits.

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Homemade Recipes for Lighter Jobs

Herbs, Oils, and Good Smells

Let’s not pretend homemade cleaners can do everything. If your shower screen’s covered in hard water stains from the ’90s, you’ll need something industrial. But for light jobs, daily spritzes, and good smells? Homemade wins.

You can make a lovely-smelling spray with water, white vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil. I use tea tree oil and lemon in the kitchen, lavender and rosemary in the bathroom. It freshens the place up without knocking you out with chemicals.

Dried herbs tucked into muslin cloths make great drawer fresheners. A pot of bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of oil left open in the bathroom soaks up musty smells. No aerosols, no artificial “fresh rain” scent that somehow smells like bubblegum and bleach.

These options cost pennies. And they feel more… human. Less sterile. Like your home smells nice because it’s loved, not because it was fumigated.

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Make a Strict Budget and Stick to It

It’s Not Petty, It’s Smart

Most of us wouldn’t bat an eyelid at spending £15 on a takeaway. But we wince at the idea of “budgeting” for cleaning products. It feels petty, right? But here’s the truth—cleaning supplies are one of those quiet money-leakers. A few quid here, a few more there, and suddenly you’re spending over £300 a year on liquids that mostly get poured down the sink.

Take one Sunday evening. Pull up your last three months of supermarket receipts. Add up everything spent on cleaning gear. I did this and nearly fell off my chair. I could’ve taken a weekend trip to Brighton with what I’d spent on “extra shine” toilet blocks and anti-bacterial kitchen wipes.

So now I budget: £15 a month. That’s it. If I want something pricier, I wait till it’s on offer or I skip something else. This forces me to make smarter choices. If the money’s not in the envelope, the cleaner doesn’t go in the trolley.

You can even rotate your purchases—one month you buy floor cleaner and toilet cleaner, the next you top up washing-up liquid and kitchen spray. Keep a list. Track what you use. You might find your own “holy trinity” of products that do most of the work, and the rest? Just marketing fluff.

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Final Thoughts (Without Saying That Word)

Cutting back on cleaning spend doesn’t mean living in filth. It means questioning the things we’ve been sold. It means picking up a bottle and asking, “Do I need this? Or am I just hoping it’ll make my home smell like a hotel lobby?”

If you stop believing every claim, start testing for yourself, simplify what you use, get a little crafty with your sprays, and give your budget some teeth—you’ll keep your home just as clean. Maybe even cleaner. And your bank balance will thank you. You don’t need thirty products. You need three, some vinegar, and a bit of common sense.

And if anyone tells you your house doesn’t smell like a meadow in spring? Just smile. You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re just not daft enough to spend £8 on a toilet duck that sings.

How to Organise Your Cleaning Supplies Like a Pro

Keeping your cleaning supplies organised may not sound like the most exciting job, but it can impact how well your cleaning routine goes. You’ll see the perks of having a neat cleaning supply space, find out the essential products and tools every home should have, get a step-by-step on setting up an organised cleaning supply area, pick up tips on keeping it all in order, and check out some storage ideas to make the most of your space and time.

Why Organising Your Cleaning Supplies is Important

When organising your cleaning supplies, you’re setting yourself up for success in keeping your home spick and span. It’s not just about saving time; it’s about creating a sense of order and neatness that turns you into a cleaning pro.

The Benefits of a Tidy Cleaning Supply Area

Having a tidy cleaning supply area brings a bunch of perks. It makes your cleaning routine more efficient and saves you from the hassle of decluttering because everything has its spot. This way, managing and tracking your supplies inventory becomes a breeze.

Keeping your cleaning supply area well-organised is a game-changer for saving time and energy. You can quickly grab what you need without hunting around endlessly. Plus, a clutter-free space sets the stage for a more pleasant cleaning environment.

With an accurate inventory of supplies, you’ll always know when to restock, preventing any unexpected emergencies or disruptions to your cleaning plans.

Essential Cleaning Supplies for Every Home

In your home, you’ve got to have a set of essential cleaning supplies ready to go. From cleaning products to all the right tools, having everything to hand will help you tackle those household chores like a pro and keep every nook and cranny of your home clean and sanitised.

Must-Have Products and Tools

You must have some essential products and tools for cleaning. You’ll want versatile sponges to handle all sorts of surfaces, whether scrubbing grime in the kitchen or wiping down delicate spots in the bathroom.

Microfibre cloths are great for trapping dust and dirt without leaving any pesky fluff or streaks behind, perfect for dusting and polishing. Don’t forget about durable cleaning gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals and give you a better grip on slippery surfaces.

And for vacuuming, whether you prefer a classic upright vacuum or a handy handheld one, make sure it gets the job done on floors, carpets, and upholstery. Finally, invest in top-notch mopping supplies like a quality mop and floor cleaner to keep your floors sparkling clean and sanitised after vacuuming.

Creating an Organised Cleaning Supply Area

When setting up your cleaning supply area, ensure it’s nice and organised. To make everything easy to find and use, try using a cleaning caddy, labelling and sorting your supplies, setting up a special cleaning cupboard, and using storage bins and other space-saving tricks.

Step-by-Step Guide

To create an organised cleaning supply area, you need to start by sorting and grouping your items based on their use. Then, make a checklist of cleaning tasks and add them to your cleaning routine to keep things in order.

First things first, clear out the space where you want to keep your cleaning supplies. Chuck out any products you don’t use or that are past their best to make room for the essentials. Once you’ve got a clean canvas, organise your items by category. Put all your kitchen cleaners together, group bathroom supplies, and gather your laundry essentials. This way, you’ll have an easier time finding what you need when needed.

Then, whip up a cleaning checklist that spells out the tasks you need to do regularly, like restocking supplies or tidying up the storage area. Work these tasks into your weekly or monthly cleaning routine to keep your cleaning supply spot neat and running smoothly.

Tips for Maintaining an Organised Cleaning Supply Area

If you want to keep your cleaning supply area in tip-top condition, you’ve got to stay on top of it. Regular maintenance and sticking to a cleaning schedule are crucial to keeping things organised and running smoothly. Don’t forget to check your supplies stock regularly and ensure your tools are stored correctly.

Keeping Your Supplies Tidy and Accessible

To keep your supplies tidy and within easy reach, you must embrace efficient cleaning methods, make the most of your storage space, and develop solid cleaning routines.

One clever trick is assigning specific spots or containers for different cleaning products. Try using bins or baskets to group similar items, making them easy to find when needed. You can also hang hooks or put up shelves on the wall to save space and keep your supplies neatly organised.

Setting up and sticking to a cleaning schedule is vital to ensuring your supplies are always ready to use. These tips will help you streamline your cleaning routine and keep your cleaning area clutter-free.

Alternative Storage Solutions for Cleaning Supplies

When you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your cleaning space, it’s critical to explore different storage options for your cleaning supplies. You can try out cool storage methods, set up a dedicated cleaning cupboard, hang storage hooks, or even try space-saving ideas. Just make sure you’re getting rid of used materials properly for the complete cleaning package.

Maximising Space and Efficiency

You need to get crafty with organisation and optimise your space to make the most of your cleaning supply storage. Use efficiency tricks, find clever storage solutions, group items logically, and make tools easy to access.

Want a game-changer? Think vertical. Install shelves or storage racks on your walls to open up that precious floor space. Also, try using see-through containers or labelling everything for quick identification. It’ll save you time hunting down what you need.

Oh, and don’t forget to group similar items together, like all-purpose cleaners or microfibre cloths in the same spot. And why not throw in some over-the-door organisers or hanging baskets to use that empty space and keep your go-to items handy?

How To Easily Clean Five Hard-To-Reach Places At Home? 

Sometimes keeping hard-to-reach places clean can seem like an endless battle. However, we refuse to accept defeat. We have made a shortlist of the hardest-to-reach areas for cleaning at home. And the corresponding tricks in keeping these corners of your home as clean as possible.

Remember that cleaning hard-to-reach places is crucial to you and the people who live with you. Periodic cleaning of these areas reduces the risk of allergies caused by bacterial allergens.

Ceiling fans and lighting fixtures

Calm down! You don’t have to get on someone’s shoulders to thoroughly clean the ceiling fan, lighting fixture or any high point in your house. Removing dust and cobwebs may seem challenging, but we will introduce you to the right and simple trick. All you need is a towel and an extendable handle. Place a damp cloth (possibly microfibre) on the end of the stretch handle and secure it to it. With these tools, cleaning the cobwebs will be easier. When the towel gets dirty, rinse with water and continue. It may seem like an elementary job, but you should pay attention to it at least every few weeks.

We recommend teamwork if it is high and you have to use a ladder or chair. You will have help securing the ladder, it will be more fun, and the cleaning time will pass faster. Always start the process of cleaning the home from high and inaccessible parts. That will help you easily collect the fallen dust on the ground and maintain the air quality in your home.

The top of the kitchen cabinets

The kitchen is your battlefield! And as such, you often have to clean it. But do you pay attention to every single part of it?

Dust and grease particles quickly accumulate in kitchen cabinets, but you will be surprised how you can easily remove them. But how to reach them? Your safety comes first. You will need a stable surface and a person to secure you while you are high. The microfibre cloth (maybe a sponge) is your faithful helper in removing any contaminated surface at home. And here it will be of good use to you. To clean the dirty areas on the top of the kitchen cabinets, you will need warm water, vinegar and baking soda. Clean the affected parts and wipe them with a clean cloth. Ready! Everything is fine now.

Cleaning the horizontal blinds

One cleaning looks scarier than all the others. Every housewife’s nightmare is the horizontal blinds. It takes you so long to clean them, but don’t worry! We have collected two easy options that will save you in this situation. You need:

• Two towels, kitchen tongs and rubber bands – These three materials you will use to create your unique weapon against the dust on the blinds. Wrap the wet towels around both ends of the clips and hold them with the rubber bands. You go through the blinds carefully, and that’s it!
• Detergent bath – All you have to do is remove the blinds and immerse them in a tub full of water and all-purpose detergent. While soaking, run a sponge or towel over them and leave them in the water for a few more minutes. Before drying them, rinse them with clean water. Then place them on large towels to absorb the drops of water from the blinds and wipe gently with a dry cloth.

The area behind the sanitary ware

The floor and wall behind the toilet seat are difficult to reach, as most mops and cleaning tools do not fit in the narrow space. And let’s face it – because the area is cleverly hidden, you often can’t notice the layered dirt. But the longer the cleaning of this part is delayed, the more difficult it becomes to remove it.
Use a rough brush to help remove dirt on the floor. Then, utilize a delicate brush or a cloth plunged in warm water and detergent to wipe the area. Rinse with a sponge or towel dipped in clean water and dry with a soft towel. Now it shines with purity!

The inner frame of windows, sliding doors and shower doors

The inner frame of the windows, sliding doors and shower doors attract dust and dirt in incredible quantities, and they are so challenging to clean due to the narrow spaces. In these areas, dirt quickly builds up and settles easily in hard-to-reach corners. Well, we have both challenges – dirt and hard-to-reach places. Follow our easy instructions for cleaning interior frames at home. And don’t worry, you won’t have to clean with ear sticks.

A great way to clean the window frame, sliding doors and shower door is to use a tube from toilet paper at the end of the vacuum cleaner suction pipe. The soft cardboard of the paper tube allows you to shape it so that it takes a suitable shape and cleans almost every corner. The cardboard will push the dirt out of the corners, and the vacuum cleaner will suck out the amount of garbage scraped. Wipe with a clean cloth and continue to the next area.

Dealing with hard-to-reach places in a house can be overwhelming and take longer than planned. But with the right tricks and cleaning tools, you can achieve brilliant results without professional help. Experience allows us to share with you easy and convenient tricks for cleaning.

Of course, cleaning these areas is a challenging job. But ignoring them could cause allergies to you and your loved ones. To avoid such a scenario, periodic cleaning of these areas is essential to reduce dust, dirt and bacterial allergens. But it is a process that requires perseverance, time and effort.

If you do not have free time but want to keep your home and the health of your loved ones in order, turn to the professionals from the cleaning companies for help.

Five Cleaning Myths

With so many cleaning products on the market, I was not entirely clear on how to clean my home. It confused me, and I needed to figure out which product to use and where and how often. I needed a whole course to get the knowledge, jokingly. In general, you can find a wide variety of cleaning ideas on the Internet. Many of your loved ones are happy to share their household cleaning tips. It is not easy to assimilate all this information and weed out only valuable practices. We will help you by showing you five popular myths about cleaning. 

Myth 1: Any detergent can kill all germs

Not all cleaners are the same. It is not the same if you use an antibacterial agent or disinfectant. In principle, antibacterial agents kill 99% of bacteria, and disinfectants can deal with a wider range of microbes, such as viruses. 

Antimicrobials are suitable for surfaces such as drawers, cabinets and blinds. Disinfectants are perfect for many dirty places. You can use them for the kitchen sink, bathtub, bathroom floor and more. 

Myth 2: You should wipe off cleaning sprays immediately

Cleaning compounds and components need some time to contact the contaminated surface. In this way, they kill germs more effectively. To ensure you are using the product correctly, read the instructions on the label carefully. In principle, antibacterial agents need about 30 seconds to work, and you should leave disinfectants for about 10 minutes. 

Myth 3: Bleach is a universal detergent 

Well, bleach is a good and not-so-expensive disinfectant, but you need other cleaning solutions. Many of the surfaces in your home do not require disinfection. In addition, bleach has a potent formula and can be too rough for natural textures such as stone or marble. To ensure the bleach will not damage the surfaces, try it in places that are not visible or hidden by any furniture. 

Myth 4: Natural cleaners do the same job as chemicals 

It would be nice if it’s true, but it’s not. Lemon juice and vinegar can do a great job cleaning tiles and windows, but they can’t kill all the germs in the toilet bowl, for example. At its full strength, vinegar is suitable for dealing with bacteria and mould, but it cannot deal with viruses and resistant bacteria. 

Myth 5: A clean place smells good

Cleanliness and fresh smell are not the same things. The good smell comes from natural oils or chemicals where producers add fragrances. The fact that surfaces you have cleaned do not smell friendly and pleasant does not mean they are not disinfected and cleaned correctly. Whether the detergent is perfumed or not, it cleans similarly. Remember that if you or someone in your family is sensitive to strong odours and perfumes or even has allergies or asthma, it is better to choose non-scented detergents (including fabric softeners and washing powders). 

Cleaning the kitchen 

The kitchen is the most commonly used room in most homes. Not only do we cook and eat there, but we also spend part of our free time. How often we clean the kitchen depends on how much time we spend there. It is a good idea to clean it every time we cook or eat there. For example, wash dishes immediately after use. It will prevent us from becoming overwhelmed with dirty dishes. 

The same goes for counter tops and hobs. Clean them every time you use them. Use dishwashing detergent or kitchen cleaner spray to eliminate stains and sticky residues from food and liquid spills. You may need to use a hard sponge or brush to clean stubborn stains. Sweep the kitchen floor last. This way, it will not get dirty again while cleaning other places in the kitchen. 

Other household cleaning duties you can leave for the weekend. These include cleaning up spilt liquids on cabinet doors and furniture and washing the dishwasher and the floor. When you start cleaning, choose a starting point and work from top to bottom and from left to right. This way you will be sure that you will get to all the places. 

Wipe stoves and refrigerators as soon as you spill something on them. That will save more difficult cleaning in the future. If you use the furnace often, clean it mainly every one-two weeks. Some stoves have the option to self-clean. After using it, clean the remaining ash. If you do not have such an option, use a brush and stove cleaner to remove dirt and food debris. Be sure to ventilate the kitchen when cleaning the stove. 

In the refrigerator, pay attention to the food and its durability. Clean the shelves with a fridge and water cleaner at least once a month with a cotton cloth. Pay special attention to the corners where the most significant amount of mould and mildew collects. Dip a cotton swab in vanilla flavouring and place it inside to freshen your refrigerator with a pleasant aroma. 

How to disinfect 

It is important not to wipe the cleaning solutions as soon as you apply them on the surface. To ensure effectiveness, the surface should remain moist for a few minutes when using most disinfectants, such as wipes and sprays. Always read the instructions to ensure you use the product as recommended and avoid damaging sensitive items such as mobile phones and other electronic devices.  

When Should You Consider Hiring A Domestic Cleaner?

Even if the big home cleaning contractors try to convince you that everyone should hire a maid for their home, that is definitely not the case. Some people like doing the chores and see it as a worthy challenge. Others do not have the extra funds in the family budget. So do not let marketing slogans and peer pressure push you into something you don’t need. 

However, there are specific moments in your life when booking a house cleaner might prove invaluable. I am not talking about one-off procedures like an end of tenancy or after-party cleaning. Let’s discuss the three situations when having a home cleaner can be a life-changer.

Having a newborn baby

One of the happiest moments in the life of every family. First-time moms, however, will tell you a different tale – post-natal depression, constant tiredness, and insomnia are common symptoms. You should seriously consider delegating the basic housekeeping chores to a professional cleaner and keeping your precious energy for more important stuff, like taking good care of your baby. 

Starting a new job

It can be both stressful and inspiring, but one thing is for sure – you have to bring your A-game to the table. Making a career change or moving to a new workplace usually entails longer working hours until you fit into your new environment. If you have to learn new stuff or acquire new skills, the last thing you want to worry about is vacuum cleaning or doing the dishes. I particularly recommend it for single people who live alone and cannot delegate specific duties to a partner, at least for the time being.

Moving to a new city

Moving to a new home is stressful enough, let alone changing your location. Especially if you move from a smaller town to a larger city, there is a significant amount of adjustment that you will face. Besides, isn’t there something invigorating about exploring a new city? The restaurants to try, the museums to visit, the shopping places to check… Do you really want to trade this for dusting and polishing the kitchen cupboards?