Cleaning products and household supplies: how to buy well
Good value starts with the pack size
Laundry liquid, washing-up liquid or floor cleaner in a 5-litre can costs a different amount per kilogram from a 1-litre bottle. So first work out how much you use and how. For a family that buys every month, large packs and concentrates are usually better value. For a one-off purchase, a small container is enough.
Also think about the purpose: a liquid for coloured clothes, for whites, for baby clothes (hypoallergenic, unscented), or a universal cleaner for glass, tiles and greasy hobs.
Home or office: different scenarios
If you are ordering for an office, a cleaning company or a small shop, it is a regular supply. Suppliers may offer bulk terms: a discount for volume, delivery on a schedule, documents for business. So write in your request that the purchase will be repeated, for example “every month for the office”.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of comparing offers in shops, you write one request: what, which brand and how much. Sellers reply in the chat with a price, terms and delivery. They see where their offer ranks and compete on terms, so the price often comes out better. It is free for the buyer. Contacts are opened only to the seller you choose. More about the principle is on the “How it works” page.
What to put in your request
- What exactly — washing powder or liquid, washing-up liquid, a cleaner, a mop, a bucket, bin bags, sponges.
- Brand — for example Ariel, Surf Excel, Vim, or “any good quality one”.
- Pack size — litres, kilograms, pieces in a pack.
- Quantity of packs.
- Purpose — for coloured or baby clothes, glass, floors, grease.
- Composition — phosphate-free, unscented, eco, concentrate.
- Wholesale or retail and how regular.
- Delivery and the city, budget.
Example: “I need 10 cans of 5 litres of phosphate-free, unscented laundry liquid for baby clothes, Ariel or similar. Courier delivery to Sydney. Budget up to $120.”
How to compare offers
- Count the price per litre or per wash, not per pack.
- For a concentrate, look at the dosage: the bottle may seem dearer but lasts longer.
- Check the expiry date, especially for a large stock.
- Find out whether delivery is included in the price, and whether it is free above a certain amount.
Another trap is the varying quality of “equivalents”: ask about the composition, not just the name. Sensitive skin needs hypoallergenic products, and if needed it is best to consult a doctor.
For cleaning the home there are also tools, and for the kitchen tableware and kitchenware.
