Cutting The Cleaning Costs: Three Ways To Save Money On Cleaning Supplies For Your First Home

Moving is an expensive endeavor. If you're moving for the very first time, leaving the nest or the dorm, it can be scary, too. Even if you've been doing chores since childhood, there's still a lot you might not know. Chances are that you've never had to buy your own cleaning supplies while living at home, either. Below are five products that will save you money but still get the cleaning job done.

Vacuum

Though it is one of the more tedious chores, vacuuming is important, especially if you have carpeted floors. Your first home is probably on the small side, so don't waste your money buying a giant, unwieldy machine. Look for the smaller, bagless stick vacuums. You may have to empty the container a couple times per session, but it could save you upwards of a hundred dollars. Just remember to do your research, and make sure it works well on carpets and rugs, as well as wood flooring and laminates.

Also, don't be lured by cordless vacuums. They sound really handy in theory, but the suction is often less powerful than on corded models. Your apartment isn't that big, and you're young; unplugging the cord and moving to a new outlet won't strain you too much.

Sweepers and Mops

For your wood, tile, or laminate flooring, buy a sweeping system. The most popular brand isn't expensive, and you have the option of buying the wet or dry versions. Even if you buy the dry version, they make wet pads for quick and easy cleaning.

If the constant cost of sweeping pads is out of your budget, buy an old fashioned mop. You'll get more than a single use out of it, but many of them do have replaceable heads you can purchase when it gets dirty over time.

Cleansers

You can't use your bleaching liquid on your mirrors and your glass cleaner doesn't disinfect. There are specialty cleansers for every task around the home, but don't be fooled into buying them all. Make sure you have one that disinfects—especially for the cooking surfaces in your kitchen—but other than that, you can get away with home remedies for almost everything else.

• Glass cleaner: Buy a spray bottle and fill it with warm water. Add three drops of liquid dish soap (for washing by hand, not for dishwashers), and stir or shake. It works just as well as the most popular brand of glass cleaner.
• Stain removal: Dish washing soap to the rescue again! This time, add it to baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to get rid of those tough laundry or carpet stains.
• Dusting and polishing spray: 3 parts olive oil to 1 part distilled white vinegar will create a simple but effective cleanser, without any obnoxious residue or odor.

Striking out on your own for the first time is quite the adventure. It can be scary, but it will also make you proud. Remember a few simple things as you get ready to clean: just because something costs more doesn't mean it's better, a little elbow grease goes a long way, and nothing makes a better rag than an old, discarded t-shirt.

Need more help? Have other questions? Contact a company such as Flooring Gallery for help.

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