Cleaning supplies cost calculator
The average household spends $300–$700 a year on cleaning products, paper goods and laundry. Concentrates and DIY solutions cut that by 40–70% with almost no loss of performance for everyday jobs. Work out your own number below.
Estimated annual spend
$655
Per month
$55
Cleaning products only
$240
Paper goods and laundry counted separately.
If you switched mostly to DIY
$511
Saves about $144 a year.
Estimates are based on 2026 market averages and are a guide only — always get local quotes.
Typical annual household cleaning spend (2026)
| Category | 1–2 people | 4+ people |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose & bathroom cleaners | $70 – $120 | $130 – $220 |
| Laundry detergent & softener | $70 – $110 | $180 – $280 |
| Paper towels & tissues | $60 – $110 | $180 – $300 |
| Dish products | $45 – $80 | $90 – $150 |
| Cloths, sponges, mop heads | $35 – $60 | $60 – $110 |
| Total | $280 – $480 | $640 – $1,060 |
Where the money actually goes
Paper products and laundry detergent, not cleaners, dominate most household cleaning budgets. Replacing paper towels with a stack of 20 microfiber cloths saves $80–$200 a year on its own, and dosing detergent by the manufacturer's line rather than filling the cap cuts laundry spend by roughly a quarter with no change in results.
Ready-to-use sprays are mostly water. A concentrate that makes 10 bottles typically costs less than two ready-to-use bottles, which is why the concentrate option in the calculator drops the total so sharply.
What is worth making yourself — and what is not
DIY works well for glass (water, a splash of vinegar, a drop of dish soap), general surface cleaning, and deodorising with bicarbonate of soda. It does not reliably work for disinfection, mould remediation, or oven degreasing — those need a registered disinfectant or a strong alkaline cleaner, and home mixtures underperform.
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or any acidic cleaner. The reaction releases toxic gas, and it is the most common serious cleaning accident in the home.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for cleaning supplies per month?
$25–$40 a month for one or two people and $55–$90 for a family of four or more, including paper goods and laundry.
Are concentrates actually cheaper?
Yes — typically 50–70% cheaper per usable bottle, because you stop paying to ship and package water.
Is DIY cleaner as effective as store-bought?
For everyday soil, glass and deodorising, yes. For disinfecting, mould and heavy grease, no — use a registered product.
How many microfiber cloths does a home need?
Around 15–25 for an average home, colour-coded by area so bathroom cloths never touch kitchen surfaces.
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