The cost of living crisis is causing many of us to live more frugally, whether that’s cutting out certain ‘treat’ items or switching to own-brand products at the supermarket.
Some things can’t be done away with; food, toiletries, and essentials for the home, for example. But there are ways to lessen the expense.
While many of us got in on the cleaning craze of recent years, you don’t need to be an influencer with state-of-the-art tools and collections of limited edition products.
It’s better for both your pocket and the planet to keep your cleaning routine simple, saving your hard-earned cash for things that matter to you.
To help you out, TV’s ‘Queen of Clean’ Lynsey Crombie has teamed up with Astonish to provide her budget-friendly tips.
From using up what you have in your cupboards to ensuring you don’t pay over the odds for products, these are her recommendations to clean up while keeping costs down.
Try shaving foam
There may be an inexpensive cleaning product lurking in your bathroom cabinet; good old fashioned shaving foam.
Lynsey tells Metro.co.uk: ‘White shaving foam can remove carpet stains, polish up stainless steel and clean toilets with ease.
‘Buy supermarket own-brand shaving foam, which is generally under 70p, and a little goes a very long way so it’ll last you ages.’
Wash at lower temperatures
‘This is not only better for the environment,’ says Lynsey, ‘but can also reduce your energy bills by around 40% a year.’
She recommends using a laundry cleanser (like Astonish Protect and Care) that kills bacteria on cooler cycles while keeping your electricity usage down.
Save your teabags
Rather than throwing out your used teabags, they can be kept and used for your dirty pots and pans.
‘While you are eating your dinner just leave them to soak in water with the used tea bag,’ explains Lynsey. ‘The tannins in the tea will work their magic as you eat.’
When life gives you lemons, scrub away
Got a lemon languishing in your fruit bowl? Put it to good use (aside from merely popping a slice into your G&T) as a powerful cleaner.
Lynsey says: ‘Lemons with either added salt or bicarbonate of soda will clean up many things around your home, from soap scum to stained chopping boards.’
Cut the citrus fruit in half, sprinkle over your salt or bicarb, then scrub all over your chosen surface.
Go for multitasking products
‘Buy versatile products that can clean up anything in your home,’ recommends Lynsey.
A bottle of concentrated disinfectant will normally set you back around £1, but can be used all over the home to kill bacteria.
As you dilute the formula, you only need around a capful at a time – meaning that bargain buy can last you ages.
Avoid using more than you need
It’s easy to get carried away, but less is sometimes more when it comes to cleaning products.
‘Follow the cleaning instructions and recommendations on the bottle for the correct quantities and measurements,’ says Lynsey.
‘This ensures you only use what you need and don’t waste excess product.’
Help your clothes last longer
Many are looking to buy fewer items from fast fashion brands and reduce their reliance on cheap, replaceable clothing.
Start at the root of your consumption, taking care of what you do own to make things last longer and stop the cycle of garment waste.
Lynsey recommends the Astonish Oxy Active Non Bio Stain Remover, although topically applying white vinegar to stains can be an effective way to make the most of what you have already.
Check the fine print
Lynsey says: ‘Read the product labels and check how much bang you get for your buck, you might be surprised with the amount you’re spending.’
A product may appear cheaper initially, but check the price per 100ml to see whether you’re getting as good a deal as you think.
Larger families in particular could benefit from buying non-perishables like handwash in bulk; fewer trips to the shops and better for your bottom line.
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