1.     Don’t buy the cheapest equipment

As the famous saying goes ‘buy cheap, buy twice’.  Don’t automatically think you are saving money by buying the cheapest cleaning equipment out there.  Sure, you probably don’t need the most expensive mop or bucket, but when it comes to vacuums, make sure you do your research.  These things get a lot of use, well at least in our house they do with hard floors, home renovations and young kids! 

Be sure to compare the best vacuums online and get something that will stand the test of time and heavy use, if you use it a lot.  Find one to suit your needs whether that’s light use, hard floors or pet hair and then check the reviews to make an informed choice.

If you're looking to save money on cleaning supplies long-term, investing in reliable tools upfront can make a big difference. Cheap cleaning products or equipment often wear out quickly, leading to more replacements. For example, purchasing a reusable mop with washable heads can be far more cost-effective than buying disposable mop pads. It's a good idea to check reviews and compare prices online before deciding—this ensures you balance quality with value and truly save money on cleaning products.

Sometimes it's actually better to search online for a window cleaner near me to clean tricky things like windows, especially those on the first and second floors which are too high to reach.  Buying the equipment yourself can be really expensive and window cleaners are actually great value. For seven years, in our old house, ours only charged £13 per clean and he cleaned all the outer windows and doors on all floors, with proper equipment to leave them sparkling.  Since moving from there we tried to use a robot window cleaner but it was no good for our windows and a disappointing waste of money, so we are using a window cleaner again.  The point being, sometimes you will need to use a professional who has the right skills and equipment, rather than spending money on fancy cleaning equipment yourself.

2.     Ask the brand for spare parts if cleaning equipment breaks

If you’re spending money on something that is quality and should be built to last, then don’t feel afraid to complain if it breaks.  We spent a small fortune on the G-Tech vacuums to go cordless and because we’d read rave reviews.  We were tired of buying cheaper vacuums and having to replace them each year when their sucking power stopped or they fell apart.  Unfortunately for us the power button on the G-tech started sticking and not working correctly after just one year of use. 

If we’d spent say £30 on a vacuum then we might not have complained and simply bought another (buy cheap, buy twice), but we’d spent around £200 on the upright vacuum which was broken and the handheld in a bundle deal.  It should last more than a year! 

I wasn’t about to buy another and perhaps we had a faulty one as people we know had been happy with theirs for much longer than us, so we dug out our original order email and sent them an email to explain the problem. 

My husband had taken it apart and thoroughly cleaned all parts on several occasions thinking something had stuck, but it still wasn’t working.  Once we finally turned it on, we then couldn’t turn it off!  Thankfully they were more than willing to help us and were disappointed we were having these issues so they sent us a replacement head for the vacuum which did the trick!

This can be the difference when you pay more for better quality goods.  They want their products to last and have a reputation to uphold, so they are usually more than happy to help.  It’s also a great way for you to save money.  If your equipment breaks and is not that old then always return it to the retailer or reach out to the brand to see if they can provide a spare part or fix.

When trying to figure out how to save money on cleaning supplies, it’s also worth checking for warranty coverage. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties or service guarantees that people often overlook. Even if a small part breaks, you may be eligible for a free replacement. If you're unsure, contact their customer service team—they might also share advice on maintaining your larger pieces of cleaning equipment to extend its lifespan, which can save you even more money in the long run.

3.     Go eco-friendly

Going eco-friendly is great for the environment, but it’s also much better cost-wise too.  Many eco-friendly cleaning methods will actually save you money in the long run.  For example, we used to buy floor wipes, kitchen surface wipes and bathroom wipes.  It seemed convenient to grab a wipe and go, but it was creating a lot of waste and the wipes are pretty costly.  If we weren’t using wipes, then we were getting through no end of kitchen roll every week!

Now we simply use a cleaning spray and reusable cloths. We use a mixture of bamboo muslin squares and microfiber cloths to clean our home with the spray.  These cloths can be washed hundreds of times.  Once they are no good we simply put them in a rag recycling bag which goes to the charity shop to prevent fabric waste.  No waste at all!

We also use concentrated cleaning sachets which we mix with water ourselves to create our bottles of cleaning spray.  These are a much cheaper solution than buying play-based cleaning products that are ready made.  

You can even buy a dishwashing bar from natural health stores to use instead of washing up liquid.  We wash everything by hand and get through a lot of washing up liquid!  The bar is non-toxic and lasts for around six months, so it’s a great money saver! Just don't accidentally leave it in the bowl of water or it will dissolve! (A costly mistake I once made).

Alternatively, you can start making your own cleaning products using cheap items like castile soap, baking soda and white vinegar.  There are numerous homemade cleaner recipes online including this Pinterest board with over 100 recipes!

Old t-shirts or towels can be cut into reusable rags, which are perfect for cleaning jobs around the house. You can also try using white vinegar and baking soda for tasks like unclogging drains or scrubbing grimy surfaces—these are natural, cheap, and incredibly effective. Learning how to save money on cleaning products often means getting creative with items you already have at home, which of course, is more eco-friendly than buying new things all the time.

4.     Check for in-store coupons

As much as we may have good intentions to make our own magical potions and cleaning supplies, the reality is we pick up supplies from the supermarket for convenience.  I like to keep a natural, toxic-free home as much as possible, but these store bought natural cleaning products cost an arm and a leg.

Be savvy when buying cleaning products in the store by stocking up when they have multi-buy offers.  Another great tip is to use in-store coupon apps to get money back for your purchases.  These are digital coupons whereby you buy a product when it’s on offer in the app, then upload your receipt after the purchase to claim back your money.  You do have to pay full-price upfront, but you’ll get some cash back at a later date, usually within a few days, sometimes quicker.

Here are my favourite in-store coupon apps which regularly have cleaning products on offer, including the non-toxic ranges like Ecover and Method:

Here are the in-store coupon apps I recommend you download:

·        Shopmium

They currently have grocery coupons for Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Boots.  If you sign up by clicking my Shopmium referral link then you can currently get a free gift! 

Learn more: How to save money at the supermarket with Shopmium

·        GreenJinn

GreenJinn is a smartphone app which has digital coupons for Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.  They also have a changing ‘others’ section which features other retailers such as Boots, Superdrug and Ocado.  The coupons are refreshed every Monday and you’ll find food, toiletries and cleaning products. 

Learn more: Save money at the supermarket with coupon app GreenJinn

·        CheckoutSmart

This is an app from the cashback site Quidco.  You can receive up to 100% cashback on selected items from major supermarkets, many High Street retailers and even Ocado.  To avoid a pay-out fee, just wait until you have over £20 to withdraw. 

You can save even more money by combining coupons with supermarket loyalty schemes. Many stores now offer exclusive discounts or points when you purchase cleaning supplies. Before you head to the shop, check online for printable coupons or app-only offers. To keep costs low, create a list of essential cleaning products, and only buy in bulk when there’s a good deal. This strategy helps you save money on cleaning products while ensuring you’re stocked up for months ahead.

To get started with more ways to save money when buying cleaning products in store or online, check out my list of the best cashback sites in the UK and how to get money back from your supermarket receipts.

5.     Simplify your cleaning

It’s amazing how many aisles of cleaning products there are in the supermarkets and how many you might think you need, but the reality is you can keep your home clean with very few of these products.

We don’t really need a different cleaner for every different surface in our home.  We use a non-toxic kitchen surface cleaner on every surface of our home including wood, windowsills, our hard floors, bathroom tiles and of course the kitchen itself.  It’s a great all-rounder and we don’t need to be wasting money on different sprays for every type of surface.

The only exception is the windows and mirrors for which we have a specialised glass cleaning spray so as not to leave smear marks. Although a great tip for cleaning most glass and mirrors, is you don't even need spray unless they are really dirty.  Most marks and smears will come off if you buff the glass with a clean and dry cloth. 

Only buy speciality cleaners when you really need them, not because you think you need them.  Even a mild dish soap and water is satisfactory for many cleaning tasks, including mopping up spills on carpets.  If you mop it up quickly and give it a scrub if needed, then you can avoid using chemical-laden expensive carpet cleaners.

If you're wondering how to save money on cleaning products, simplifying your routine is key. Multi-purpose products are your best friend, but you can also try DIY solutions for an even bigger saving. A mixture of white vinegar and water works wonders on windows and mirrors, while a paste made of baking soda and a bit of water is great for tough stains. Reducing your reliance on speciality products not only saves money but also keeps your cleaning cupboard clutter-free.

If you keep on top of cleaning daily and don’t let it build up, then most cleaning tasks can be tackled with a vacuum, all-purpose cleaning spray and a cloth.  It shouldn’t take much more than this to keep a home clean and tidy.

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Final word

By being wise when spending money on large cleaning items like vacuums and following some savvy cleaning hacks, you can stop spending so much money on cleaning and save it for the things you love instead.

By following these money saving cleaning tips and exploring ways to make the most of what you already have, you’ll not only save money but also reduce waste. Whether it's investing in high-quality tools, embracing eco-friendly methods, or making use of discounts, you can maintain a sparkling clean home without breaking the bank. With these strategies, you’ll quickly learn how to save money on cleaning supplies while keeping your home spotless.