Fewer visits to the store and more savings in your pocket. Buying in bulk brings a lot of promises to customers hoping to get the most bang for their buck. Are these savings real? We're here to wash away your doubts and shine a light on the best Costco cleaning products!
Buy: Disinfecting Wipes
No matter which brand you choose, buying disinfectant wipes in bulk at Costco is a smart choice! While the savings look small on paper, consider how many wipes you use in a day. Clorox comes in a 5-pack of 85 count dispensers and Method is available in a 3-pack of 70 count containers. Those pennies on the dollar turn into change that adds up quickly.
Your Expected Savings:
- Clorox wipes: 1 cent per wipe
- Method Wipes: 2.4 cents per wipe
Buy: All-Purpose Cleaner
Your floors, toilets, furniture, and kitchen surfaces will all be sparkling for a fraction of the cost when buying these products at Costco. Customers can buy Lysol in a 210-ounce jug and the Pine Sol comes in a two pack, with 100 ounces in each container. Finally, fans of Method can get three 28-ounce spray bottles for just under $10!
Your Expected Savings:
- Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner: 2.1 cents per ounce
- Pine Sol All-Purpose Cleaner: 9.1 cents per ounce
- Method All-Purpose Cleaner: 1.1 cents per ounce
Buy: Glass Cleaner
Windex Original Glass Cleaner is a staple in people's homes, and the savings on this product are pretty extraordinary. Costco provides customers with a regular 32-ounce spray bottle, along with a 5L bottle of solution so that you can refill when needed.
Your Expected Savings: 3.5 cents per ounce
Buy: Smart Vacuums
Smart vacuums are a big investment that come with a lot of convenience. The savings on these items are amazing, but there is one small downside. If you were looking to buy a different model, you're out of luck. Most Costco warehouses only carry one model from each brand. Nonetheless, depending on where you normally shop, your savings can range from $65 to $280 when purchasing a smart vacuum at Costco.
Costco Prices:
Shark A1 Ultra Smart Robotic Vacuum: About $400
iRobot Roomba J8+ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base: About $700
Buy: Clorox Performance Bleach
Bleach is a staple laundry product that many folks also use to clean their floors, toilets, tile, and so much more! If you tend to cycle through a lot of bleach, then consider buying this product at Costco. Buying a three-pack of the 121-ounce jugs will save you $5.45 compared to buying three single jugs at other big box stores.
Your Expected Savings: 1.5 cents per ounce
Buy: Toilet Bowl Cleaners
If Lysol is your preferred brand, do not walk, run to Costco! Their four pack of Lysol Advanced Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a mere $9.99. Amazon offers this same four-pack for $18.50, and Walmart's price is at almost $24. Those are savings of up to just under $14!
Customers will also see savings with the Clorox Toilet Disinfectant Wand and Refill kit. Costco's version is a bit pricier, but it comes with all the basic supplies plus an impressive 36 scrubbing pad refills. In comparison, a basic kit at any other store comes with only six refills. The price difference is approximately $5.50. Unfortunately for non-Costco members, refills can be quite expensive, averaging about $10 for 20. Suddenly, your savings disappear, making Costco's bulk version the clear choice!
Buy: Swiffer Products
Costco offers Swiffer wet and dry cloths as well as their heavy duty duster. All three products are best bought at this big box store. Why? Not only are the prices better, but the wet and dry cloths come in packages of 50 or more, and the heavy duty dusters come in a pack of 17 along with the cleaning handle! This ensures that you are always prepared for big and small messes.
Your Expected Savings:
- Swiffer Heavy Duty Wet Cloths: 14.3 cents per pad
- Swiffer Heavy Duty Dry Cloths: 13.47 cents per pad
- Swiffer Heavy Duty Duster Cloths: 21 cents per pad
Buy: Disinfectant Sprays
During cold, flu, and COVID seasons, keeping surfaces clean is a must. The good news is that disinfectant sprays are a great choice to grab at Costco. Clorox Disinfecting Mist comes in a convenient three pack, and Lysol offers customers four spray bottles for the price of three.
Your Expected Savings:
- Clorox Disinfecting Mist: 21.8 cents per ounce
- Lysol Disinfectant Spray: 11 cents per ounce
Where Savings May Be Missing
Costco is a great spot for saving on cleaning products, but certain items will not get you the savings you expect. Paper towels were the most surprising items. When you do the math, the savings are virtually non-existent if you take the time to shop around.
Upright vacuums are also an item that you may want to avoid at Costco, depending on the brand. If you want to buy a Shark, grab it at Costco, but if you were looking for a Dyson, you might do better elsewhere. It's important to remember that vacuums go on sale throughout the year, so it's always best to do your research before investing in these items.
Need to Know
There is one perk to paying a little extra at Costco for upright vacuums. Unlike other stores, Costco will take returns well after the typical 90 days. For those with pets, vacuums tend to fail much earlier, making this an exceptional benefit.
Costco Cleaning Products for the Win
Remember that prices can fluctuate throughout the year, so it's always best to check online before making big buys. Also, Costco offer sales throughout the year, so be strategic with your time of purchase. Most importantly, if you miss the sale and it has been less than a month, go back and ask to be refunded those savings. Most stores will honor this request.
If you're not buying your cleaning products at Costco, you're leaving money on the table. With smart shopping strategies, your house can be clean and your bank account can be a little bit fuller.
