Spring Cleaning Shouldn't Be Expensive

Every year, with a determined smile, families around the United States brace for spring cleaning. Under the guise of this work, though, consumers will radically overpay for cleaning products that are, in most cases, wholly unnecessary. The list below will help you save your spring cleaning dollars with an item-by-item comparison of what you'd pay versus what it would take to make the same thing at home.

The War On Kitchen Grease: Shout Advanced = $6 vs. Baking Soda = $0.80

Project via Hometalker Alicia at Thrifty & Chic

Grease-cutting dish soap can only do so much to rid your kitchen appliances and surfaces of weeks worth of caked-on cooking grease. Instead of scrubbing your fingers to the bone, try this easy trick using an old reliable—baking soda.

Toilet Rings: Scrubbing Bubbles = $11 vs. Lemonade Kool-Aid = $.10

Project via Hometalker Diana at Anyone Can Decorate

You’ve tried traditional toilet bowl cleaners, and you’ve tried constant upkeep, but the solution for that grimy ring in your toilet bowl is actually something you would never imagine: lemon flavored Kool-Aid powder! This chemical-free cleaning miracle is a fraction of the standard cleaner price and much more effective.

Metal Fixture Ring Remover: Guardsman = $4 vs. Used Dryer Sheet = Nothing :)

Project via Hometalker Raye at Thoughts by Her

After your clothing has had a tumble in the dryer, use those creased dryer sheets to rub the water rings off of your metal faucets and appliances. Check out this DIYer’s helpful how-to for an easy and totally free faucet cleaner to set your taps sparkling.

Tub Thumpin': Clorox = $8 vs. Vinegar Mix = $4.

Project via Hometalker Jessica at Mom4Real

Bleach-soaked cleaners get the job done, but they bring a whole party of unpleasant and poisonous fumes into your cleaning routine, and they can be a bit too harsh on some surfaces. Instead, try out this three-ingredient homemade soft scrub, especially effective on tubs and sink bowls.

Hard Water: CLR = $6 vs. More Vinegar = $4

Project via Hometalker Maryann at Domestically Speaking

You know how you can fight for an hour with that hard water stain around your sink or faucet and never win? Well, say goodbye to the fighting, with this simple vinegar soak solution, that solves the problem for you, no scrubbing required.

Streak-Free Windows: Windex = $6 vs. Dish Soap = $1.25

Project via Hometalkers Denise and Lesley at Chaotically Creative

After trying every store-bought solution and homemade idea in the book, this DIYer learned a foolproof streak-free window cleaning trick from professional window cleaners. Now, she only uses Dawn Dish Detergent with this easy method, to keep her windows continually sparkling.

Pillow Fight: Bleach = $8 vs. Mix = $2

Project via Hometalker Jessi at Practically Functional

Cure your tired pillows of their yellowish dinge by throwing them in your washing machine and following this easy whitening and washing method. This idea works so well, you can revive your pillows once every six months and keep them sparkling and smelling fresh.

Grout: Lime-A-Way = $9 vs. Bon Ami = $1

Project via Hometalker Angela at Angela Says

Mixed with the perfect vinegar and water solution, Bon Ami natural cleaning powder is so effective, it can turn your greying grout back to white after a simple scrubbing. Gritty tile grout stains don’t stand a chance against this $1 grocery store cleaner.