Cheap/immitation products that work

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Dont want to use vinegar because it smells!

What cheaper products do you use that work as effectively as the 'leading brand'?
Are any 'oxi action' whiteness as good as vanish etc?
Would like to try cheaper alternatives but I they don't work then it's even more of a waste!

So many typos. Excuses excuses but I'm on my phone...

Aldi washing up liquid is great, as are their dishwasher tabs. Lidl's washing powders are the business, and their Vanish imitation product is pretty good too.

Are they lidls cheapest like smart price/value?

What about kitchen cleaners?

They're cheap, poss not their very cheapest. The washing up liquid is 59p I think (called Magnum IIRC).

Lidl only do one sort of washing powder - Formil - which is excellent. Their Flash ripoff is also good - I think its called W5.

Although Lidls washing up liquid is shit.

I have been using Sainsbury Value prewash stain treatment or remover spray (about 85p per bottle) and I find them as good as Vanish spray or Oxi-stain treament spray.

It seems to last a lot longer than most brand as it's spray 'liquid' instead of foam. I use it on my daughter's bibs (tomato, chocolate yoghurt, etc), grass stain and most of them came off easily. Save me a lot of trouble scrubbing the bibs before putting them in the wash ;)

Lidls washing liquid is great. As are lidls cleaing sprays and wipes, v. cheap too!

I tried the white vinegar mixed with water last week but didn't like it because it smelt like, err, vinegar. I hadn't realised.

Saainsburys value scuring pads are the dogs bees as is the value cleaning spray.

I use own-brand multipurpose cleaner and Zoflora concentrate for many things. Mix cleaner half and half with water and add a little Zoflora to a spray bottle. Use for kitchens and bathrooms. Works out much cheaper.

Tesco Value Furniture polish is just as good as Mr Sheen.
Sainsburys own limescale remover is excellent. I put it in an old Limelite bottle as you have the option for spray or foam.

Microfibre cloths are expensive at first but wash well and can be used over and over. You also don't need as much cleaner as they can be used with just water.

Alternatives to vinegar depends on what you are using them for.

Bumping - what are the alternatives please? I like things that smell nice

Ok, well for windows, a spray bottle of water and a bit of all purpose cleaner will do just fine. Use microfibre cloths though, one wet, one dry.

Lemon juice is good for all sorts, mirrors, glass, shining taps etc.

As a descaler, citric acid is less smelly. You can buy it online - look for bath bomb makers/suppliers. It is much cheaper than Oust or Limelite.

Bicarbonate of soda is a good alternative to a cream cleaner and has no smell.

I think the trouble is that vinegar is used as an alternative to other cleaning products! But I maintain that you don't have to spend a lot on various different cleaners.

This is what I have in my cleaning box:

Own brand all purpose cleaner 50:50 with water and Zoflora
Limescale remover spray (own brand)
Tesco value polish
Water and Vinegar 50:50 spray
Bicarb of soda
Astonish paste

6 microfibre cloths
2 dusters
Scourer
Scrubbing brush

Thats it!

The Astonish brand of cleaning products that I buy in Home Bargains is brilliant equally as good as Flash and at a fraction of the price IMO

These days I only ever use stardrops, zoflora and vinegar. On their own or in a mixture is all I need for the whole house.

Oh and bleach for the bathroom, just because in my head the toilet isn't properly clean unless bleached.