Doing More With Less Part 4

Experiment time!!!

I have been scheduled to work every “kids off” weekend since there was snow on the ground… up until today. It’s humid as hell and stormy. Figures.

In need of some new hair thingy’s and household cleaning supplies, I grabbed my purse and headed to the closest strip mall. While wandering the isles at Dollar Tree (kinda a hobby), new hair thingy’s in hand, I had an idea. Why not try the Dollar Tree brand cleaners and do a comparison study to Aldi and Walmart brand?

First off, you have to be careful at Dollar Tree, because some items actually are less than a dollar at Walmart or Aldi. So, I grabbed the things I KNEW would be more expensive at the other stores.

Here is my super-scientific analysis (ok, just my opinion for what it’s worth) comparing the products:

1)      Kitchen cleaner with bleach-

I love cleaning with bleach cleaners. The smell just equates to “germ-free clean” in my little healthcare worker mind. The Dollar Tree’s cleaner works just as good as all other, especially pricier, brands. It cleaned spills on my counter tops and left my bathrooms smelling all clean and bleachy. (Yes, that’s a word.) I rate this product a YES. *side note* I have tried the home made version of dish soap, water and bleach in a spray bottle before and it doesn’t work.

2)      Dryer sheets-

There is just something about the smell of dryer sheets that I LOVE. I think it’s from my childhood because my mom always used dryer sheets. Dryer sheets are usually not in my budget, so I was excited to try the “sun sky fresh” scent at Dollar Tree. The box smelled up my entire car on the two minute drive home. The smell isn’t as strong on the clothes coming out of the dryer, but that’s fine with me for the price, and no more static cling clothes. I rate this product a YES.

3)      Dish Soap-

I am dishwasher fanatic, so I have to admit I don’t hand wash many dishes, only big pots and pans and my large Tupperware serving bowls. The Dollar Tree soap does not get very sudsy, so I found that for the few things I washed, I used a lot more soap. It’s ok for the few things I use it for, and washing hands, but if I were doing loads by hand, this product would be a NO.

4)      Fabric Softener-

This is another product I usually consider a “luxury” vs. “must-have”. For a dollar, it’s worth a try. The outcome was the same as the dryer sheets. It isn’t Downy by any means, but it does leave a slight scent to the clothing and my clothes are soft. I vote YES until I somehow become rich and can buy Downy by the truck load.

I didn’t try the fabric soap because the bottle was little, and I buy my 200 load jug of Xtra from Menard’s for $7.99. I quickly figured 8 of the bottles still would not reach the amount I get in that jug.

5)      Last but not least, my favorite product of all is definitely a must have even though it isn’t a household cleaner. Dane, while he was visiting last week, bought me a bottle of Street Appeal Auto Degreaser from Dollar Tree . It shines my dash and doors just as well as the expensive products. He uses it to clean tools, car,truck and tractor parts, you name it. I love it.

So, there you have it. Saving a dollar or two here and there can really add up, and if a cheaper product is just as effective, why not save the money for a bill or something fun.