Let’s be real — cleaning products are expensive, and who actually has hours to spend scrubbing every corner of their house? I used to drop $50+ every month on fancy sprays and solutions, thinking that’s just what it costs to keep a clean home. Spoiler alert: I was wrong.
Here’s the thing: you probably already have most of what you need to deep-clean your entire house sitting in your kitchen right now. And these hacks? They take minutes, not hours.
Ready to clean smarter (and cheaper)? Let’s dive in.
1. Vinegar + Dish Soap = The Ultimate Shower Cleaner
Mix equal parts white vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle, heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds, then spray it on your shower doors and tub. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe clean.
This combo cuts through soap scum like nothing else — and costs about $2 to make versus $8 for store-bought cleaners.
2. Baking Soda Makes Your Mattress Smell Fresh
Sprinkle baking soda all over your mattress, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up. It absorbs odors and leaves everything smelling clean.
I do this every couple months, and it’s way cheaper than buying mattress sprays. A box of baking soda costs around $1 and lasts forever.
3. Lemon + Salt = Cutting Board Savior
Cut a lemon in half, dip it in coarse salt, and scrub your cutting board. The acidity disinfects while the salt scrubs away stains and smells.
No need for expensive wooden board cleaners — this works just as well and smells amazing.
4. Dryer Sheets Clean Baseboards Fast
Wipe your baseboards with a used dryer sheet. It picks up dust and repels it, so they stay cleaner longer.
This hack literally saves me 20 minutes every time I clean because I’m not constantly re-dusting the same spots.
5. Dish Soap Unclogs Toilets (No Plunger Needed)
Pour about half a cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl, add a bucket of hot (not boiling) water, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The soap breaks down the clog, and it usually flushes right through.
This saved me a $150 plumber call once. You’re welcome.
6. Coffee Filters Are Perfect for Screens
Use coffee filters to clean TV screens, computer monitors, and phone screens. They don’t leave lint or scratches like paper towels do.
A pack of 100 filters costs about $2 — way cheaper than screen-cleaning wipes that cost $6 for like 20.
7. Rubber Gloves Remove Pet Hair Instantly
Put on a damp rubber glove and run your hand over fabric surfaces. The hair clumps right up and you can just toss it in the trash.
No more buying lint rollers every week. This trick works on couches, car seats, and even carpet.
8. Cream of Tartar Gets Rid of Rust Stains
Make a paste with cream of tartar and a few drops of water, apply it to rust stains (like in your sink or tub), let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub.
I’ve rescued so many surfaces with this $3 ingredient instead of replacing fixtures or calling professionals.
9. Aluminum Foil + Baking Soda = Shiny Silver
Line a bowl with aluminum foil, add hot water and a tablespoon of baking soda, then drop in your tarnished silverware. Let it sit for a few minutes — the tarnish literally transfers to the foil.
No elbow grease, no expensive polish. Just chemistry doing its thing.
10. Vacuum Your Vents for Better Air Quality
Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to clean air vents and return grills. Dust builds up there and makes your HVAC work harder (which means higher bills).
I do this quarterly and noticed my energy bill drop by about $15/month. That’s $180 a year just from vacuuming vents!
11. Ketchup Cleans Copper and Brass
Squeeze ketchup onto tarnished copper or brass, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe it off and rinse. The acidity removes tarnish beautifully.
It sounds weird, but it works better than those $12 metal polishes — and you probably already have ketchup.
12. Ice Cubes Freshen Your Garbage Disposal
Toss a handful of ice cubes and some lemon peels into your garbage disposal and run it. The ice sharpens the blades while the lemon deodorizes.
This keeps my disposal working well and smelling fresh without buying special disposal cleaners.
13. Newspaper Makes Windows Streak-Free
After cleaning windows with your usual cleaner (or just vinegar and water), dry them with crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels.
Zero streaks, zero lint — and you’re recycling something you’d throw away anyway. Win-win.
14. Toothpaste Removes Crayon from Walls
Put a dab of non-gel toothpaste on a damp cloth and gently rub crayon marks on walls. They come right off without damaging the paint.
This hack has saved my walls (and my sanity) more times than I can count as a parent.
15. Vinegar in the Dishwasher = Sparkling Dishes
Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of your empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. It removes buildup, eliminates odors, and makes your dishes come out cleaner.
Do this once a month instead of buying dishwasher cleaners. That’s another $5-8 saved every time.
Related Post: 20 Dollar Store Organization Hacks That Look Expensive
The Bottom Line
Here’s what I love about these hacks: they’re simple, they use stuff you already have (or can buy for pennies), and they actually work.
If you’re spending $40-50 a month on cleaning products like I used to, switching to even half of these hacks could save you $300-400 a year. That’s a weekend trip, a nice dinner out, or just extra money in your pocket.
And honestly? The time you’ll save might be even better than the money. Most of these take 10 minutes or less, which means more time for the stuff you actually want to do.
Which hack are you trying first? I’d love to hear what works for you — drop a comment and let me know!