Sometimes it seems we are spending too much money on cleaning supplies for our home when we know our grandparents took care of cleaning for far less — and made it seem somehow easier, too. Check out these ideas for saving money on your apartment cleaning supplies — you may even learn ways to achieve an overall cleaner apartment in the process!

Make your own products
You likely have a lot of items in your kitchen that make great cleaning ingredients — and for very little money. Vinegar, for instance, is a great all-purpose cleaner. Baking soda is gentle enough to use as a mild abrasive from sinks to showers, and lemons have a natural bleaching ability that can also kill mold and mildew. You can combine these three ingredients together into an all-purpose spray or a paste that can get the dirtiest tub clean, or use them separately, depending on the job. Dipping a lemon half in kosher salt makes a fresh-smelling way to get your sink clean, as well.

Vinegar can help get your carpet clean. To make your own carpet cleaner solution, mix vinegar and laundry detergent in a clean spray bottle and apply to dirty spots. Let the mixture soak in for a while before blotting with a moist towel.

Make products do double duty
Rather than spending money on single-use cleaning products, look for those that can do several jobs for you. Glass cleaner, for instance, can clean windows, counters and lots of other surfaces. Buy a big bottle and break it up into several small bottles to store in each room.

Mild dish soap can clean a lot more than dishes. Use as a laundry stain remover, any-surface spray, window cleaner, and woodwork wash. It gets the grease off your dishes, so why not let it work its magic all over the house!

Use less of everything
You’re already consolidating your cleaners, but now go one step further and look at the cleaning tools you use. Do you really need disposable microfiber dusting cloths, or would old t-shirts and towels work just as well? You can even buy inexpensive reusable microfiber cloths and clip them to the bottom of your sweeper. Just wash and reuse.

Likewise, you don’t really need a floor- or toilet-cleaning “system.” Opt instead for a standard toilet brush and a mop with a machine-washable head.

Be sure that you’re using the correct amount of cleaning products — or less. Try only filling one cup in your dishwasher — instead of both — and you’ll likely discover that your dishes are just as clean. The same goes for your washing machine. Several soap manufacturers make concentrated versions of their products, so be sure you’re sticking to the right measurements.

Buy at discount stores
If you prefer the convenience of bottled cleaning products, save money by browsing the selection at your nearest dollar discount store. Bleach and scouring powders, for instance, don’t have to be top-of-the-line brands to be effective. Dish soaps, polishes and stain-removers can also be found at these stores. Though the brands you find may not have a reputation you’re familiar with, some trial and error may present you with cheap, yet effective home cleaning products.

Clean as you go
Many of us let a mess go until we have what we think is the necessary product to get it clean or until we have the time to do a “good job.” Savvy housekeepers know, however, that cleaning as you go is the only way to get it all done. If you see jam or fingerprints on your refrigerator, don’t wait until you’ve located your appliance cleaner. Grab whatever you have handy — vinegar, glass cleaner or dish soap — and dispense with the smudges right away. The longer grime sits, the longer it will take you to get it clean.

Also look for opportunities to clean while something else is getting clean. If the kids are taking a bubble bath, you’ve just filled the tub with all the cleaner you need, so just give it a good swish when the bath is through. Store a microfiber cloth under the sink and you can also quickly shine the faucets and wipe around the basin edges where soap spills collect.

Scrub your kitchen sink when you’re done with the dishes and wipe down the washer and dryer after you’ve run a load. These quick cleaning jobs will save you a lot of time and elbow grease in the future.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a spic and span apartment. In fact, the more everyday ingredients you make use of, the cleaner your home will be, regardless of the cost!