A 2017 data on household cleaning expenses showed the average family spends up to $85 each year buying soaps and detergents. And up to $600 per year is spent on the purchase of cleaning supplies which include those products that are either reusable or for single use only.
Fast track to 2020 and these figures have increased by as much as 34 to 838 percent. Because COVID-19 compelled every household to be more conscious about maintaining a clean and sanitized environment.
But, what if we tell you that there is a way to slash these cleaning costs and save more, as you clean more?
Yes, saving money while home cleaning is definitely possible. Simply learn these helpful tips and apply them to your regular cleaning routine. Set aside your brush, vacuum or detergent for a moment. Let’s start reading the following home cleaning hacks and start saving more money in the process!
Swap microfiber for paper towels.
If you have been using paper towels to clean anything and everything at home, it is high time to rethink that habit.
A best selling brand of paper towels (pack of 20) costs more than $23, while a 24-pack of microfiber cleaning clothes, also a best-selling brand on Amazon, costs less than $13. But, here’s the thing – one microfiber towel can sustain for about 500 washes. If you’re lucky, and you buy a good brand of microfiber cloth, it could last up to 1,200 washes or even more!
Can you imagine just how much savings you’ll have by using microfiber cloths? So, ditch that paper towel habit and make the switch now! (Or, keep spending your hard-earned money on single-use paper towels).
These microfiber cleaning cloths can be used for general dusting, countertops, windows, tables, etc. You can also find microfiber cloths that have a suede-like texture specifically designed for glass, mirrors and stainless steels.
Regularly remove dust.
Dusting or vacuuming on a regular basis can greatly reduce the amount of dust that’s present indoors. Don’t forget to start from the ceiling where cobwebs also accumulate. Use a damp microfiber cloth to collect dust from top to bottom.
Better yet, use a vacuum that has a built-in HEPA filter. A vacuum with built-in HEPA filter can do wonders in reducing air pollution inside your home. HEPA filters have the ability to capture pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and other particles in the air that also serve as pollutants. A HEPA filter is an important inclusion if you want to spare yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from diseases caused by poor indoor air quality.
The goal of regular dusting is to significantly reduce the amount of dust that accumulates inside your home. For people who suffer from dust allergies, the accumulation of dust could trigger asthma and allergic rhinitis, among other annoying ailments. Because dust can be made up of bits of decomposing insects, animal fur, human skin, soot, particulate matter from beddings, carpets, and tracked-in soil, just to name a few, it’s very important to dust regularly.
Dusting regularly is a good habit that can greatly improve the quality of air that you have indoors. This translates to reduced risks for allergy symptoms, reduced cost of medications, and fewer visits to the doctor, saving you more money.
Steam mop your floors.
One of the best ways to maintain clean floors even when you have pets is to make use of steam mops. Steam mops are far better than traditional mops when we talk about efficiency in floor cleaning.
Although traditional mops do help you save more money because they don’t need electricity to function, steam mops clean and sanitize the floor all at the same time. The heat produced by steam mops is able to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria. So, there is no need for you to exert additional effort, time, and money sanitizing your floor like you would when you use traditional mops.
With traditional mops, you still need to buy soap, cleaning, and sanitizing solutions to be able to sanitize your floor. In other words, you are more likely to save more money with steam mops than using traditional mops.
Besides, steam mops will also allow you to purchase reusable steam mop pads. The initial cost of buying washable mop pads may be a bit higher. However, the unit cost for these reusable mop pads will eventually soften and become less, with each time you mop. With reusable steam mop pads, you don’t have to buy mop pads over and over again, resulting in less waste and more money saved!
Statistics show that people spend 2-4 hours per week cleaning their homes. When you decide to spend the next couple of hours cleaning, make sure to keep these cleaning tips in mind. So, you can become better at cleaning your home while saving more money in the process.
Knowing that you’ll be able to save money is such a good motivation to start cleaning. Besides, we always dream of having a spic and span home. But nobody ever dreamed of being the one to actually do the cleaning!