With a challenging economy, there is an inclination to try to save money wherever possible.  One area of your life you can easily save money is on house cleaning.

The most obvious way to save money if it applies to you is to stop paying someone else to do it for you.  There are many way to efficiently clean your house and save money at the same time.  As a bonus, you will be burning more calories and losing weight.

Here are some tips to get you started with saving money on your house cleaning:

• Use mild dish soap or water for general cleaning around the house.  Mild dish soap can clean most areas of your home such as your kitchen and carpet stains.  Hot water also works well on carpet stains.
• Buy in bulk and use store coupons.  Being a member of a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club can help save money on cleaning products.  It is ok to buy cleaning products in bulk since they have a long shelf life.
• Clean regularly to avoid having bigger messes that are harder to clean later.  As soon as you see a spill or mess, clean it up.
• Use reusable cloths whenever possible.  When clothes become unusable, cut them up to use as rags around the house rather than using paper towels.  Use dish cloths for wiping counters and spills instead of paper towels.
• Simplify your supplies by buying products that can do double duty.  Maybe a cleanser can clean the kitchen and bathrooms including the toilet bowls, tubs and sinks.
• Reuse grocery plastic bags as liners for your trash cans.  You are also helping the environment by reusing any plastic bags.
• Wash your laundry in cold water and line dry whenever possible.  This will save money on utilities.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is full.  This will save on your utility bills and make the process of taking dishes in and out of the dishwasher more efficient since you will do it less often.
• Make your own cleaning supplies using items you have around the house like baking soda and vinegar.  Baking soda can also be used to reduce odors anywhere by placing some in a small glass jar half full.
• Reduce clutter.  When you have less stuff, you have less stuff to clean and maintain, saving you time and money.  Buying less stuff also saves your money.  Selling some of your current stuff also brings in more money!
• Have your kids help.  Your kids learn responsibility and you save money on hiring cleaners!