The weather is warming up and you might be ready to spring clean your home. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to cost a lot of money with these handy spring cleaning on a budget tips.
Take stock of what you have
Before you rush out and buy a whole host of cleaning products that the shops are tempting us with, have a look to see what you already have. You might even have enough cleaning products, tools and cloths to avoid having to buy anything for your spring clean.
Make your own cleaning products
If you are looking to make some serious savings, or use cleaning products without chemicals then you might want to consider making your own cleaning supplies. Vinegar is a great all purpose cleaner, especially once diluted with water. Bicarbonate of soda can be used as a mild abrasive and lemons have a natural bleaching agent and smell really clean.
To make your own all purpose vinegar cleaner you will need a spray bottle, an equal amount of water and vinegar and then you might want to add some essentials oils to make it smell nice, but this is optional. Simply shake your bottle before using and you have an all purpose cleaner to use around the house.
Read more cleaning tips from a Channel 4 Obsessive Compulsive Cleaner.
Switch brands
These days cheaper and own brand cleaners are just as good as the big brands, but for a fraction of the cost. One brand that has really gained popularity over the past few years is Astonish, where most items cost around £1. This cleaning brand brings you great results and the products are all vegan. Most supermarkets and high street stores selling cleaning products will also have their own branded items for a fraction of the price of the big brands.
Don’t buy a cleaning product for every job
There is a special cleaning product available for every cleaning job, and buying them all will make a massive dent in your wallet, not to mention creating an overflowing cleaning cupboard. Lots of your cleaners can work on more than one area or cleaning task, meaning you don’t need to buy a ton of different products.
Use reusable cleaning cloths
Cleaning wipes and kitchen roll are extremely handy to have around when you are cleaning, however they aren’t environmentally friendly and having to replace them means you spend more money on them. Switch to reusable cloths so that you can wash them and reuse them later. If you are worried about cross contamination even after washing then you can choose one colour for your bathroom cleaning, one colour for the kitchen and other colours for other regular cleaning you need to do.
DIY microwave cleaner
Cleaning the microwave can be one of the worst jobs, however you can make it really simple by microwaving a bowl of water and then either adding in lemon, vinegar or dishwashing liquid for a few minutes. Then leave the steam inside for up to 10 minutes then remove. You will now be able to easily wipe out the inside of your microwave.
Unblock drains without harsh chemicals
A drain unblocker can cost you close to £5 for a big brand, however you can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. You wi need some bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and hot water. Simply place about a cup of bicarbonate of soda into your drain and then pour a cup of vinegar over it. It will begin to fizz up. Leave it for a few minutes and then pour a kettle full of boiling water over it. Your drain will be as good as new.
Don't forget your car
When it comes to spring cleaning, cleaning out our cars doesn’t jump out at us. However doing this task ourselves can save having to fork out for an expensive valet and exterior wash. Grab a bag for any rubbish in your car, and a vacuum to clean the insides. A powerful shop vac will help you get rid of the toughest and stickiest dirt on your car's interior. See the best and most affordable shop vacs reviewed on BestofMachinery.com for further details. Wipe down the interiors before moving on to giving your car a good wash. Enjoy the sunshine and saving money by washing your car yourself.
Declutter and profit during your spring clean
A spring clean is the perfect time to go through your home and find items to declutter. From clothes to books and everything in between, you can sell your unwanted items and cash in. Simply list them on eBay, Facebook or take them to a car boot sale to sell and release some extra cash.
Free Cash Envelopes Download
Could cash envelopes be the key to helping you budget better? Download my free cash envelope printables to create your own.
