Green Cleaners to Buy at the Dollar Store (and a Few to Skip)

Dollar store green cleaners can save you money and help make your home safer… if you know which items to purchase. Find out which green cleaners to buy and which to skip on your next Dollar Tree shopping trip.

Are Dollar Store Cleaning Products Good for Green Cleaning?

Your local $1 dollar stores carry a wide range of popular green cleaning supplies, from white vinegar and lemon juice to microfiber cloths and scrub brushes. But not all the green cleaners at these “dollar” stores are worth your hard-earned money. Today, I’m explaining exactly what you should buy and what you can skip!

How I Compared the Cleaners

To compare price and quality, I shopped for green cleaning items at my local Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, and Target. I compared the same sizes when possible; if the same-sized item could not be purchased, I bought the nearest available size. (All costs were compared by ounce or per item.)

I evaluated each product and then created a list of green cleaners you should BUY at the dollar store, supplies that are a MAYBE, and a few that you should SKIP.

I analyzed 15 green cleaning items and found several that:

Rated an A or a B on the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Can be used to make one or more natural homemade cleaners.

The Best Dollar Store Green Cleaning Products

These 8 green cleaning staples are a GOOD bargain at the dollar store. They can help make your cleaning routine safer and save you money.

White Vinegar – Vinegar is one for my favorite green cleaners! It can be naturally scented and makes a great homemade fabric softener. The dollar store version is a great buy if you want to purchase a smaller 64-oz size bottle of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar). I use white vinegar daily so I skip the dollar store and buy huge bottles at my big box store for convenience.

Cost: Wal Mart $2.74 for 64 oz, $0.04/oz; Target $2.99 for 64 oz, $0.05/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 64 oz, $0.02/oz.
Lemon Juice – Lemon juice can clean everything from rust to hardwater stains! The dollar store version is nearly identical to the big store version and is priced right for cleaning at $0.07 an ounce, a 40% savings!

Cost: Wal Mart $1.78 for 15 oz, $0.12/oz; Target $2.39 for 15 oz, $0.16/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 17 oz, $0.07/oz.
Table Salt – Table salt adds grit to green cleaners and can be used to disinfect cutting boards. The product at the dollar store and big box storewere identical. Buy at whatever store you’re shopping when salt is needed.

Cost: Wal Mart $0.67 for 26 oz, $0.03/oz; Target $0.79 for 26 oz, $ 0.03/oz; Dollar Tree $0.79 for 26 oz, $ 0.03/oz.
Kosher Salt– Gritty kosher salt can be used to scrub cast iron pans or make fresh lemon dishwasher detergent. The plastic shaker container version at the dollar store and big box store were identical other than brand name. Note: kosher salt from Wal Mart can be purchased in a large cardboard box for a cheaper price.

Cost: Wal Mart $2.12 for 16 oz, $0.13/oz; Target $2.29 for 16 oz, $0.14/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 16 oz, $0.08/oz.
Reusable Cleaning Gloves – Rubber gloves are great for protecting skin when green cleaning (always use them when using cleaners made with washing soda). They’re also an easy way to remove pet hair from furniture and carpets (just wipe your gloved hand across the surface). Bonus: The good quality of the Dollar Tree gloves surprised me.

Cost: Wal Mart $1.74 for 1 pair; Target $4.00 for 1 pair,; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 1 pair.
Cotton Dish Cloths – Cotton cloths are easy to care for, replace single use paper towels, and get softer and more absorbent with each wash. Dollar Tree had small packs of 100% cleaning cloths available for cleaning, if you don;’t want a large quantity it’s a good option.

Cost: Wal Mart $5.78 for 18 cloths, $0.32/ea; Target $9.99 for 4 cloths, $2.50/ea; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 3 cloths, $0.42/ea.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths – Reusable microfiber cloths can replace disposable dusting cloths and floor cleaning pads which helps reduce household waste. Check out the type of microfiber cloths available at each store to see which type works best for you. (Note: I have mixed feelings about using microfiber since it is made of plastic.)

Cost: Wal Mart $1.28 for 2 cloths; Target $5.00 for 2 cloths; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 2 cloths.
Toothbrushes – Cheap toothbrushes are perfect for scrubbing grout clean, brushing dirt of of window tracks, and reaching bathroom nooks without damaging surfaces. Toss a few in your cleaning caddy. (Note: I upcycle old toothbrushes when possible.)

Cost: Wal Mart $2.69 for 4, $0.67/ea; Target $0.99 for 2, $0.49/ea; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 4, $0.31/ea.

Cleaning Products That Are a Maybe

These 5 green cleaning supplies MIGHT be worth purchasing at the dollar store. They are a maybe because they can be cheaper to purchase in a larger quantity at a big box store and/or you might want a safer version for your home. It’s a personal preference!

Baking Soda – Baking soda is one of my favorite natural cleaners. I use it to make laundry detergent and naturally scented carpet cleaning powder. It’s identical at each store, but sold under different brand names. I use a lot so I buy in bulk, however the Dollar Tree can be a good option if you need a small box.

Cost: Wal Mart $0.92 for 16 oz, $0.06/oz; Target $1.59 for 16 oz, $0.10/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 17 oz, $0.07/oz.
Isopropyl Alcohol (70%) – Alcohol adds extra shine to homemade glass cleaner , can be used to disinfect surfaces, and turns essential oils into natural air freshener spray. I keep a small bottle of isopropyl on hand to remove ink stains from laundry. I prefer to use vodka (ethanol) in most cleaners since rates an A on the EWG scale and has virtually no odor. Isopropyl alcohol is more affordable, rates a B on the EWG scale, but leaves behind a distinct odor. Use whichever alcohol you prefer in your green cleaners.

Cost: Wal Mart $2.98 for 32 oz, $0.09/oz; Target $2.99 for 32 oz, $0.09/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 16 oz, $0.08/oz.
Quick Eraser Pads – Store brand magic erasers ( off-brand Magic Erasers) are available from the Dollar Tree, Target, Wal Mart, and most major retailors. They are exactly the same as the brand name version. These melamine foam sponges have hundred of uses including cleaning scuff marks from painted walls and baseboards and scouring stains from porcelean sinks. (Note: I have mixed feeling about using synthetic scrubbers for cleaning, read more in my post about reducing plastic waste.) If you use Magic Erasers, the Dollar Tree version is a good value.

Cost: Wal Mart $1.68 for 2, $0.84/ea; Target $2.69 for 3, $0.90/ea; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 2, $0.63/ea.
Reusable Spray Bottle – Spray bottles are essential if you make your own cleaning products. I prefer to make upcycled spray bottles from empty glass bottles, but if you need a cleaning bottle qucikly, grab one at the Dollar Tree. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can also look for glass or aluminum spray bottles in the Dollar Tree beauty section to store cleaners containing essential oils since EOS can cause plastic bottles to degrade.

Cost: Wal Mart $1.18 for 1, 32-0z; Target $4.00 for 1, 32-0z; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 1, 28-oz.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is a great green cleaner, stain remover, and laundry whitener. I use it to make all-purpose scrub, grout cleaner, and laundry stain remover. But it’s a bit cheaper at a big box store. If you’re already at the Dollar Tree, it might be worth buying a bottle, and you can find hydrogen peroxide in a small spray bottleat the Dollar Tree. Grab one to treat laundry stains like blood and grass stain and refill as needed.

Cost: Wal Mart $1.00 for 32 oz, $0.03/oz; Target $0.99 for 32 oz, $0.03/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 32 oz, $0.04/oz.

Spray Bottle Cost: Wal Mart $1.42 for 8 oz, $0.14/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 6 oz, $0.20/oz.

2.50 for 16 oz, $0.16/oz; Dollar Store: $1.00 for 16 oz, $0.06/oz..57 for 1; Dollar Store: $1.00 for 1.

Dollar Store Green Cleaners to Skip

There are two green cleaning supplies to SKIP at the dollar store. Although they may market themselves as natural, they aren’t as authentic as they appear.

Olive Oil – Olive oil makes a great natural wood polish, can be used to “refinish” hardwood floors, and shine stainless steel appliances. However, the dollar store version is a actually an oil blend (5% olive oil, 95% soybean oil). Keep buying 100% olive oil at your favorite big box store.

Cost: Wal Mart $9.47 for 25.5 oz, $0.37/oz (100% olive oil); Target $6.89 for 16.9 oz, $0.41/oz (100% olive oil); Dollar Tree $1.25 for 8.5 oz, $0.15/oz (5% olive oil).
Oxygen Bleach – Sodium percarbonate-based cleaners such as Oxiclean can whiten laundry, clean grout, and make homemade laundry detergent. The Dollar Tree version (LA’s Totally Awesome Power Oxygen Base Cleaner or Oxydol Power Oxygen Base Cleaner) rates an F on the EWG scale. It appears to have a bit of blue dye added and contains an artificial fragrance (US law does not require all ingredients to be listed). I prefer to purchase OxiClean Free from the big box store, which rates a B on the EWG scale and is free of dye and scent.

Cost: Wal Mart $9.28 for 48 oz, $0.19/oz; Target $10.49 for 56 oz, $0.19/oz; Dollar Tree $1.25 for 15 oz, $0.08/oz.

I hope this list helps you shop the Dollar Tree to save money while safely cleaning your home. While I like to shop local when possible and weigh the environmental impact of my purchases, I’ll continue to buy some of my favorite green cleaning supplies at the local dollar store due to convenience and affordability!

Total Green Cleaner Costs

Purchasing all of these green cleaners at the Dollar Tree cost $14.00. Buying the same products at my local big box store cost me more than $30.00. That’s a 46 percent savings!

I’ll continue to buy some of my favorite green cleaning supplies at the local dollar store to save some $$$!

And that’s it….

Dollar stores carry popular green cleaning supplies, some are a good bargain and some you can skip. Green cleaning staples including white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, cleaning gloves, reusable cleaning cloths, and toothbrushes (for cleaning) are a good bargain at the dollar store. They can help make your cleaning routine safer and save you money. Other cleaning supplies like baking soda, isopropyl alcohol (70%), quick eraser sponges, reusable spray bottles, and hydrogen peroxide may be worth purchasing at the dollar store but can be cheaper to purchase in a larger quantities elsewhere. Two supplies, olive oil and oxygen bleach, should be skipped at the Dollar Tree altogether for safety.