When you’re ready to clean, it’s easy to spend big bucks on pricey cleaning supplies at the hardware store or a big-box store. But you can find just about everything you need to tackle a deep clean or stay on top of daily cleaning at a decent price.
To find out how much cleaning bang I could get for my buck, I took a trip to my local Dollar Tree. For about $25, I bought a cartload of cleaning supplies. Then I put them to the test to save you the trouble of having to figure out for yourself which products actually get the job done.
Technically, Dollar Tree isn’t a true dollar store anymore, having upped its baseline price point to $1.25 and introduced somewhat more expensive items. All but one of the following products cost $1.50.
Despite their low prices, they worked great for me, making each a bargain worth buying again.
1. Reusable mop pad
The product: The Standard Essentials Microfiber Heavy Duty Mop Pad is about 12 by 5 inches. It’s washable and thus reusable.
The price: $1.50 per pad
My experience: I bought two of these microfiber mop pads and attached each to the $1.50 broom and mop stick also sold at Dollar Tree. Using a cleaning agent, the pad did a great job scrubbing the tile floor in my kitchen. I used the other mop pad to dust and clean my hardwood floors, also with good results.
I was also pleased that these pads looked as good as new after one wash cycle. The only drawback is they’re not as wide as similar products that could cover large areas faster.
My take: I’d definitely buy these pads again. I may even purchase a third one for dusting and cleaning my walls.
2. Broom heads
The products: The Essentials Wide Broom Head (pictured) is about 12 inches wide and 5 inches high, with a bristle width of 2.75 inches. The Essentials Angle Broom Head is about 13 by 8 inches, with a width of just over 1 inch. These are broom heads only, though: To use them, you’ll need to purchase the $1.50 broom handle also sold at Dollar Tree.
The price: $1.50 per broom head
My experience: Not all brooms are created equal, so I was skeptical of these inexpensive broom heads. However, each got the job done. The wide broom head even grabbed a couple of hidden pieces of glass from a broken coffee mug hiding near the wall under my kitchen island.
My take: Both of these broom heads picked up dust, dirt, lint and dog hair well. I’d buy these products again, and I may even get a third one for my basement.
3. Reusable wipes
The product: Brillo Basics Multi-Use Reusable Wipes come in a package of nine.
The price: $1.50 per package
My experience: I used one of these wipes to wash my dishes and another wipe to clean my bathroom sink and tub. Both held up nicely and came out of the washer and dryer in good shape, ready to use again. I was impressed by how sturdy, thick and durable these inexpensive wipes are, especially after a spin in the washer and dryer.
My take: I’d buy these wipes again. They are a bargain, especially considering that they held up better than more-expensive brands I’ve used in the past.
4. Scrub brush
The product: The Scrub Buddies Scrub Brush with Soft-Grip Handles measures about 5.7 by 3.6 inches, with a large handle and firm bristles.
The price: $1.50 per brush
My experience: I put this scrub brush to the test cleaning summer dirt and grime from my tile patio table. The brush did a fantastic job, showed no wear and tear and was easy to clean and rinse. I also tried it on the corners of my kitchen floor with equally impressive results.
My take: I’d buy this brush again. It’s a bargain, especially since similar scrub brushes sold elsewhere can cost several times as much.
5. Microfiber cleaning towels
The product: Dollar Tree’s Microfiber Cleaning Towels come in packs of two and, at least at my local store, come in a couple of color options.
The price: $1.50 per pack
My experience: I kept one of these microfiber towels in my bathroom to wipe down the sink area each night and another in my car to wipe down my dash, console and doors. These towels are soft, flexible and dry quickly after use. They’re perfect for dusting or wiping down surfaces.
My take: I’ll purchase all my microfiber towels at Dollar Tree from now on. They’re a steal at only $1.50 for two.
6. Dusters
The product: Essentials Flexible Duster is about 19 inches long with the handle included. Dollar Tree also has other dusters in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The price: $1.50 per duster
My experience: I sprayed this duster with furniture polish before using, and it picked up dust from tabletops and bookshelves with ease. I used a smaller Dollar Tree duster (which I found locally but wasn’t on the retailer’s website as of publication time) on my window blinds, since it was easier to fit into the different sections. Both dusters were excellent at cleaning dusty surfaces.
My take: I’d buy these dusters again. However, I wish they could be removed from the handles and easily washed, to prevent waste from disposing of them once they’re too dirty.
7. Heavy-duty scouring pads
The product: Scrub Buddies Heavy-Duty Scouring Pads come in a four-pack.
The price: $1.50 per pack
My experience: I tested out both the heavy-duty version and the light-duty version of these scouring pads. The latter didn’t cut it: They didn’t work well or hold up for long. But the heavy-duty scouring pads are the opposite in my experience, cleaning better and lasting longer.
My take: I would buy the heavy-duty scouring pads again, but the light-duty ones aren’t worth it.
8. Disinfectant spray (as a fabric freshener)
The product: OdoBan Ready-to-Use Disinfectant
The price: $3 per bottle
My experience: This OdoBan spray is marketed as a fabric and air freshener. It’s great for only one of those two purposes, however.
It’s a name-brand product, so I expected it would work well. Instead, I have a mixed review on this one because when I used it as an air freshener, it made my hardwood floors slick as ice and they remained that way until I mopped them to remove the product.
However, this product also has a pleasant scent, and when I used it as a fabric and area rug freshener, it helped my furniture smell good.
My take: I’d buy this again for fabric freshening, just not for air freshening.
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