Frugal House Cleaning Tips

A clean and well-organized home is more than just aesthetically pleasing. It’s a sanctuary of comfort and tranquility. However, the path to maintaining a spotless abode often seems paved with the high costs of cleaning products and tools. Fortunately, there’s a frugal and eco-friendly way to achieve the sparkling home of your dreams without breaking the bank. So, in this blog post, I’ll unveil over 30 ingenious frugal house cleaning tips that not only save you money but also reduce your environmental footprint.

These tips are a testament to the idea that effective cleaning doesn’t require an arsenal of expensive chemicals or costly equipment. Instead, it’s about resourcefulness, creativity, and a commitment to keeping your living space pristine without straining your budget.

From DIY cleaning solutions that harness the power of everyday household items to clever ways of repurposing old materials, I’ve compiled a treasure trove of frugal house cleaning tips that will transform your cleaning routine. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to cut costs or a novice seeking to establish a more sustainable approach to home cleaning, there’s something here for everyone.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you buy a suggested product, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  For more information, see my disclosure page.

 

frugal house cleaning tips

Cleaning your home shouldn’t cost a fortune and you shouldn’t have to use cleaning products laden with chemicals & toxins. I’ve never paid a lot for cleaning supplies, but at one point, I had quite a collection of products in my cleaning closet (mostly from Walmart and the Dollar Tree) and I’m not sure why. I guess I’d see something that promised to clean, sanitize and brighten almost anything, so I’d try it. Then, something else would catch my eye and of course…I’d have to try that too!

Well, when I finally took inventory, I was a little ashamed of how many I had. So, I decided to use up what I had accumulated (because I hate to waste even it was only $1.00) and I set out on my quest to find cheaper, more effective alternatives that were great for my wallet and the environment.

Read on to learn more frugal house cleaning tips that will help you save money & have your home bright & shiny, too!

1. Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions

Basic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, castle soap, dawn dish liquid and lemon juice are just a few of my favorite household ingredients that can be used to create effective and affordable cleaning solutions. Say goodbye to expensive store-bought cleaners and save time & money by making your own!
Here are a few of my favorites:

All purpose cleaner #1

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap
• 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (a range is given because the size of drops depends on the essential oil dispenser cap)

Using a measuring cup and funnel, which are good tools to have for making your own products, pour the water into a spray bottle and then add the castile soap. Add the essential oils directly to the spray bottle. Shake the bottle to incorporate the essential oils and soap. (If using the essential oils, a glass spray bottle should be used as essential oils can break down plastic.)

All-Purpose Cleaner #2

• 1/2 c white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp baking soda
• 10 drops tea tree, lavender, or lemon essential oil (for their disinfectant properties)
• Water

Mix the vinegar, essential oils and a little water before adding baking soda in a clean spray bottle(glass is best). Then fill to top with water. Gently shake to mix ingredients, and then spray, wipe with a cloth, and allow it to dry.

2. Baking Soda for Odors

Neutralize odors in carpets and your refrigerator with baking soda, a natural and budget-friendly solution.

I’ve used it for years in the refrigerator but I had a little schnauzer that began tinkling in my dining room as she got older. When I discovered where her “spot” was, I sprinkled straight baking soda liberally over the spot and I let it sit overnight. The next day, I vacuumed it up and the odor disappeared. It worked great!

**Tip** You can take this one a step further and add a few drops of essential oils to your baking soda and make your own carpet refresher. Sprinkle it on your rugs, wait 15 minutes, and then vacuum for a fresh-smelling home.

3. DIY Air Fresheners

Create your own air fresheners by adding a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and placing it strategically around your home.

You can also add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is also a favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into water and stir. Then funnel the water into a glass spray bottle. 

 

  
If you’re not into essential oils, you can make a delicious smelling simmer pot on your stove top to make your home smell amazing for the holidays. Here’s a simple, inexpensive recipe that I’ve used:

• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 apples, sliced
• 4-5 cinnamon sticks
• 2-3 Tbsp of whole cloves
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Throw everything into a pot, fill it up about halfway with water and put it on the stove over low medium heat for as long as you want. You can save it (refrigerate) to reuse two or three times!

Here’s another recipe for a great smelling house year round. It’s a lemon rosemary simmer pot:

• 1-2 Lemons sliced thin
• Handful of Rosemary Sprigs
• 3-4 Cups Water
• 2 Tbs Vanilla Extract

Follow same directions as the above simmer pot.

4. shower cleaner

My favorite shower cleaner is made with Dawn dish liquid & vinegar. To make the best (in my opinion) homemade shower cleaner, just combine equal amounts of Dawn dish soap and white vinegar in a spray bottle and gently shake mix. If you want to help the two ingredients to combine even quicker, you can warm the vinegar up in the microwave for a minute (or less), then combine, but it’s really not necessary.

This cleaner is fantastic for cleaning shower doors, walls, fixtures & floors. Works great on bathtubs, too! 

5. DIY Carpet Cleaner

Create a DIY carpet cleaner by mixing water, salt and white vinegar to tackle stains effectively.

You’ll want to mix one cup of water and a half a cup of vinegar. Mix the water and vinegar in the spray bottle, then add one teaspoon of salt per cup of water. The salt helps bind the stain particles.

6. Natural Drain Cleaner

Keep drains clear by using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water.

Mix 1/3 cup baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar and pour down the drain giving you trouble. Next, you’ll close the drain up and let the concoction foam up inside the drain. After about a half-hour, pour a lot of hot, not boiling, water down the drain. For stubborn clogs, repeat the process.

7. Homemade Oven Cleaner

Use a paste of baking soda and water to clean your oven effectively. If you have hard, baked on food on the oven’s glass door, gently use a razor blade to scrape off excess food particles.

8. Natural Wood Polish

Combine equal parts olive oil and white vinegar for an economical wood polish.

9. DIY Glass Cleaner

It’s so easy to get sparkling, streak free windows & mirrors with just a very few ingredients.

Glass cleaner #1:

• 1½ cup water
• 1½ cup rubbing alcohol
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar

Add to a spray bottle, close the bottle & shake it to mix the ingredients.

Glass cleaner #2:

Mix equal parts water and vinegar to a spray bottle for another streak-free glass cleaner.

10. Vinegar for Hardwood Floors

Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water to create an effective and affordable solution for cleaning hardwood floors. The vinegar helps remove dirt and leaves a streak-free shine.

11. Microfiber Magic

Invest in reusable microfiber cloths for a cost-effective way to clean surfaces without the need for expensive cleaning products.

 

12. repurpose Old T-Shirts, towels and Socks

Repurpose old t-shirts, towels and socks as cleaning rags to save money on disposable wipes, dusting clothes & polishing rags. 

13. Regular Maintenance

Prevent costly repairs or replacements by regularly maintaining your appliances, such as cleaning the lint filter in your dryer after each use. You also need to vacuum the coils in back or under your refrigerator. You’d be amazed at how much debris collects on them, especially if you have pets inside.

14. take Preventive Measures

Place doormats at all entrances to reduce the amount of dirt and debris brought into your home.

15. Declutter Regularly

Frequent decluttering sessions help reduce the need for deep cleaning and make your space more manageable.

16. Rotate Bedding

Extend the life of your bedding and reduce the frequency of washing by rotating between two sets of sheets. 

17. Reuse Spray Bottles

Rinse out empty cleaning spray bottles and mix your cleaning solutions to refill them. Make sure to label them with what’s in the bottle.

18. Focus on High-Traffic Areas

Concentrate your cleaning efforts on high-traffic areas, like the kitchen and bathroom, to maximize your cleaning efficiency.

19. Squeegee Shower Walls

Use a squeegee after each shower to prevent soap scum buildup and reduce the need for heavy cleaning.

I use the squeegee’s from the Dollar Tree and after each shower, we’ve gotten in the habit of squeegee-ing the walls and the glass doors. It’s made a huge difference in keeping the water spots off of the shower doors and it keeps the shower looking clean.

20. Reusable Mop Pads

Invest in a mop with reusable and washable pads to save money on disposable mop heads.