Canadian Finance Blog

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Save Money During Spring Cleaning Season Posted: 17 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PDT So, winter’s end is right around the corner, which means it’s nearly time to freshen up the house, declutter your belongings, and celebrate spring. But, as we know, cleaning can also be expensive, especially if we have to replenish our cleaning supplies. But, fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to buying new cleaning supplies and products. We simply have to be a little more creative when it comes to spring cleaning, and we’ll soon be able to save money on the yearly cleaning ritual. Here are a few tips as you get ready to clean house on a budget. The first thing you can do is turn to your pantry and kitchen for some cleaning supplies. Yes, you heard me, your pantry could be a good source of cheap cleaning products. A bottle of vinegar, for example, can do wonders on soap scum in your shower. Likewise, you can use baking soda to clean your shower curtain of mildew. All you need is a damp sponge or an old toothbrush and the willingness to do a little more work, and you’ll have a cheap way of cleaning up, all without using expensive, harsh cleaning products. Second, you should get rid of all the disposable cleaning tools you use. Although these tools probably make cleaning easier on you immediately, they do harm your wallet. Tools like the Swiffer require you to continue to buy disposable pads, which are not only expensive, but also bad for the environment. Instead, consider pulling out your old mop, broom, and cotton rags. Although you might have to put in some more effort to use these items as well as disinfect them afterwards, they will significantly cut down on your cleaning costs. Likewise, ditch the old and inefficient bags for your vacuum and invest in a good quality, bagless vacuum cleaner. Finally, you should try to think of all the areas in your house that you would not usually think to clean. For example, the coils of your refrigerator are hidden behind the enormous appliance, but most likely they are covered in dust. This dust affects your refrigerator’s ability to efficiently clear off the heat from the coils, so you should keep them clean. Another thing to clean is the filter for your ventilation system. Replace these, or clean them, so your heating and air condition runs more efficiently. Consider cleaning your windows of dirt and grim so that you can let more sunlight into your house, which will help regulate the temperature more efficiently. When you start being more creative in your cleaning you’ll discover that you can actually make your house run more efficiently, and make your appliances last longer, thus helping your bank accounts in the long run. What are some other ways to clean house and save money at the same time? If you have any more ideas, please leave them in the comments section! Author Bio: Lauren Bailey is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. Questions and comments can be sent to: blauren99 @gmail.com. Related Posts: Eco-Friendly Tips For Summer Cleaning On A Budget 10 Ways To Save Money On Back To School Shopping How To Make Your Household Appliances Last Longer Save Money During Spring Cleaning Season originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on March 17, 2011.

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