People are constantly looking for ways to save money or do certain things themselves. It’s understandable — we could all use a few extra bucks…but what’s the true cost of saving those dollar bills?
A lot of people are excited about the DIY house-cleaning craze, but did you know that some of those at-home cleaning products are actually inferior to the store-bought versions? Here are some of the products you should just buy instead of trying to make yourself.
1. Swiffer pads
It’s all the rage to save on these pads by simply wrapping a sock around your Swiffer mop. But unfortunately, all that’s doing is pushing dirt around your home. The pads are specifically designed for attracting and cleaning up dirt and soil.
2. All-purpose cleaners
Store-bought cleaners are way better for your home than a mixture of essential oils and vinegar. The DIY version straight-up doesn’t clean and the antibacterial ingredients need to sit in order to take effect.
3. Window wipes
Some people think that wiping their windows down with newspaper is a great way to recycle the old paper product, but be warned — it can leave nasty ink stains. Stick to microfiber cloths.
4. Shower-cleaning sprays
Any homemade version of a shower cleaner is far inferior to the store-bought option. They’re specifically designed to fight soap scum, clean dirt, and wipe away with ease. Save your essential oils and vinegar for something else.
5. Fabric softener sheets
When you use DIY fabric-softening liquids with washcloths and throw them into the laundry with your clothes, it doesn’t get them any softer. Liquid softener is meant to be used in the rinse cycle, not the whole laundry cycle. Just use fabric softener sheets in the dryer. They evenly disperse the softener throughout the load and keep your clothes nice and fresh.
6. Disinfectant wipes
All store-bought disinfectant wipes must pass a test by the EPA in order to prove that they actually kill germs. Why would you waste your time making rags soaked in vinegar and essential oils? The store wipes are far superior.
7. Laundry detergent
DIY detergents that are made with borax and washing soda don’t contain stain-lifting enzymes that keep clothes clean and fresh like store-bought detergents do.
8. Furniture polish
A lot of DIY recipes for furniture cleaners involve olive oil and vinegar. Those can both lead to a sticky, smelly mess. Store-bought furniture cleaners are formulated so that there is very little need for buffing, leaving your furniture with a nice shine.
9. Odor neutralizers
DIY versions of this product include fabric softener, alcohol, and water, but fabric softener is not meant to be sprayed around the house and it can leave nasty residue on textiles.
(via Good Housekeeping)
There you have it! While we’re all for saving some money, it’s better to be safe and cleanly than frugal and sorry.