How do you save on cleaning, household and H&B items?

**Layne** · 04-25-2005, 02:59 PM

I was wondering what some of you do to save on cleaning and household products, and health and beauty items.

One thing I have done is start a list of what my DD, DH and I use regularly, shampoo's, deoderants etc., and household products we use. I put how much I have next to each item so I could see just what I've got on hand. Then on the weekend I sit down with my list and the sale flyers to see if there were any good sales on items I have only one of.

Last week I was able to buy $6 worth of shampoo and conditioner for $1.58 by checking the sale flyer and combining the sale price and a coupon I had. A small success but I was pretty happy about it.

I've also tried some homemade cleaners and have a stain spray I make that is cheaper than the store bought.

Any other ideas?

**mrscornbread** · 04-25-2005, 03:33 PM

I just use coupons to stock up like you combined with sales, I try not to be real brand loyal. I have found some great products this way too. I always stock up on the things I like the most, but won't hesitate to buy something that is close to free. Actually, my hair responds better to a variety of shampoos and conditioners, they tend to get used to the same old products.

**thrifty gal** · 04-25-2005, 11:54 PM

I do what you do-combine coupons with sales for best prices. I'm not brand loyal on most things.

**forestdale** · 04-26-2005, 12:33 AM

Layne, my family and I have been using the crystal deodorants for about a year now. Mine cost $4.95 at our store. You can also buy them in the supermarket now or at the health food store. One crystal last for two years.

**Mommy2five** · 04-26-2005, 07:35 AM

I stockpile H&B items when I can get it for under .50
About a 9 months ago our store had St Ives body wash for .99, I went on ebay and ordered OODLES of coupons for $1 off. We have been using that since, and I have atleast 25 bottles left, after giving away some to friends and neighbors. I also got the lotion for the same deal and have TONS of it too. I use it in gift bags too for friends and teachers. I do the same thing with shampoos, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant. I organize coupons and check sales and fliers. I have sent SO MANY boxes to soldiers down range full of these things so they are never wasted!

Same thing with cleaning supplies. I got a bunch of Mr. Clean for .28 after coupon, as well as Lysol all purpose spray for free after coupon. I have atleast 6 bottles of each still, but if I see more that I can get for under .25 after coupon I would pick it up too.

**Darlene** · 04-26-2005, 07:50 AM

Good for you Layne

I do alot of the things mentioned plus:
Sneak some water into whatever products I think I can dilute without any noticable ill effects.
Dishwasher only gets 1/2 the ammount of powder asked for
Dryer sheets into thirds
Add water to the last little bits in bottles to get the last bit out

**PoorRichardsGirl** · 04-26-2005, 08:25 AM

Family Dollar has a bath powder similar to Shower to Shower, that's only a dollar. It's made of talc and cornstarch just like S2S, and DH likes it just as well.

Of course my mom does one better and just uses plain cornstarch as bath powder!

I've got a drawer full of toothpaste and anti-perspirant, probably a year's worth. Most of it is from FAR offers at Walgreens. I finally realized it was cheaper to buy fancy toothpaste FAR than to buy off-brands for a dollar.

Nice shampoos and conditioners also turn up a lot on the rebate offers. And haircolor.

As far as cleaning products, I probably save most by not cleaning very often!

I use half the dishwasher detergent, too. And I really like that purple liquid cleaner called Fabuloso--usually I can get it for a dollar, and it smells great.

**Layne** · 04-26-2005, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by PoorRichardsGirl - As far as cleaning products, I probably save most by not cleaning very often!

LOL!

You all have some great ideas. Rhonda, I have heard of crystal deoderants these sound like they would be a great savings.

Darlene, I have also been cutting back on the detergent amounts I use for dishes and laundry. I have cut my laundry detergent by half in the past month and no one has noticed a difference.

**TwirlingRainbowSky** · 04-26-2005, 10:37 AM

I buy the cheap laundry detergent and dishwasher powder. I cut all my fabric sheets in half. I found some shampoo and conditioner for 75 cents or so a bottle and bought all that they had.

**TinaS** · 04-26-2005, 11:32 AM

I like the idea of listing what you have and how many are on hand. I'll have to do that

I started making my own cleaning products per the "Clean House, Clean Planet" book. They are wonderful and cheap!

**bridge** · 04-26-2005, 06:32 PM

I only use white vinegar & essential oil for my cleaning supples.

It was amazing to me how much this saves. Plus it is healthier for you & the environment.

**Telephus44** · 04-26-2005, 09:09 PM

I am another one in the combining coupons and sales camp, especially for the few things that I am brand loyal to (feminine products come to mind!).

My rule for soap, deoderant, shampoo, etc. is that if I can get it for under $.25, I will. I got a lot of FAR at Walgreens. The only thing I ever actually pay close to full price for is DH's shampoo -Selsun Blue. Its the only one that actually gets rid of his dandruff, so its worth $9 a bottle to him (ok, $7 on sale with a coupon).

For cleaning supplies, I have found some great deals at Walgreens. If not, the dollar store has products that work just as well as name-brand. I always dilute what I can (especially dishwasher soap and Pine-Sol). I have recently started using some more "home-made" type cleaners and will have to continue to study their cost effectiveness.

**bamamomto4** · 04-26-2005, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by thrifty gal
I do what you do-combine coupons with sales for best prices. I'm not brand loyal on most things.

**rebecca** · 05-07-2005, 04:30 AM

With personal needs such as deodarant (sp), hair products I wait tell the product goes on sale and use my coupons. The grocery store I go to at times doubles your coupons so save alot there. I use vingar and baking soda to clean. Saves me alot of money there. As far as make up don't use any because I break out from it. I went to my skin doctor yesterday because my allergeries and skin is becoming extremely dry where I scratch the daylights out of it. He told me that when I get out of the shower to put on crisco on for about five minutes then wipe it off with a towel. Also, recommended Cetaphil. I did the crisco thing last night and my skin was smooth. Thought it was a little bit extreme with the crisco. Thought it would smell, but didn't. Just thought I would jot this down so that others that have extremely dry skin would be able to use this suggestion I received from my skin specialist.