Comparing the Cost of Popular Cleaning Products: Are They Worth It?

1. All-Purpose Cleaners

• Expensive Option: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day All-Purpose Cleaner costs about $5 for 16 ounces.
• Budget Option: Great Value All-Purpose Cleaner costs $3 for 32 ounces.

Comparison: Mrs. Meyer’s offers a pleasant scent and eco-friendly ingredients. Great Value cleans effectively but lacks the premium scent. If scent and eco-friendliness matter, Mrs. Meyer’s might be worth it. For basic cleaning, Great Value wins on cost.

2. Glass Cleaners

• Expensive Option: Windex Original Glass Cleaner costs around $4 for 23 ounces.
• Budget Option: Up & Up Glass Cleaner costs $1.50 for 32 ounces.

Comparison: Both clean windows and mirrors well. Windex has a stronger brand reputation. Up & Up offers similar performance at a lower price. For brand loyalty, choose Windex. For cost savings, Up & Up is the better choice.

3. Dishwashing Liquid

• Expensive Option: Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid costs $3 for 19.4 ounces.
• Budget Option: Ajax Dish Liquid costs $1.25 for 15 ounces.

Comparison: Dawn is known for cutting grease quickly and effectively. Ajax requires a bit more product for the same effect. If you need heavy-duty grease removal, Dawn is worth it. For regular dishwashing, Ajax provides good value.

4. Laundry Detergent

• Expensive Option: Tide Pods costs $20 for 45 pods, however on Amazon you can buy packs of 112 for less than $30.
• Budget Option: Arm & Hammer Liquid Detergent costs $12 for 50 ounces (approx. 32 loads), but you could also buy 170 ounces (approx.170 loads) for just $14.

Comparison: Tide Pods are convenient and effective for tough stains. Arm & Hammer offers good cleaning power at a lower cost per load. For convenience and top performance, Tide Pods are ideal. For budget-conscious consumers, Arm & Hammer is a solid choice. For both, buying in bulk offers way more value.

5. Floor Cleaners

• Expensive Option: Swiffer WetJet Solution costs $7 for 42.2 ounces.
• Budget Option: Lysol Power Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner costs $5 for 48 ounces or save big by buying 144 ounces for $12.50.

Comparison: Swiffer offers easy use with a dedicated mop system. Pine-Sol requires manual dilution and mopping. If you prefer convenience, Swiffer is worth the cost. For traditional mopping and savings, Pine-Sol is more economical.

Are Expensive Products Worth It?

Expensive cleaning products often come with benefits like convenience, eco-friendliness, or stronger branding. However, budget options frequently provide similar cleaning power at a fraction of the price.

You can find even more value at Dollar Tree for some of these cleaning products.

Conclusion

Choosing between expensive and budget cleaning products depends on your priorities. If you value convenience, premium ingredients, or brand reputation, pricier options might be worth it. For basic cleaning tasks, budget products often perform just as well. Consider your needs and budget before making your choice.

Are there any cleaning products where you prefer to choose a more expensive option? Let us know in the comments below.