Ernst & Haas Management Co Blog

[caption id="attachment_1256" align="aligncenter" width="252" caption="Save some money and use some of the products you already have in your home to replace products you would normally buy!"][/caption] We can all agree that the cost of household cleaning supplies and essentials can drain our budgets. But here's some good news: there are some products that we tend to overlook - or even throw away - that can be used to replace some of the items we purchase on a regular basis. Here are 6 surprising items that can save you some money - and a trip to the store: 1. Onion and Potato Bags: The mesh bags that these vegetables come in are great when it comes to scrubbing pots and pans. Their naturally abrasive texture are far more gentle on hands than S.O.S. pads filled with chemicals. 2. Coffee Filters: Because of the rising price of items such as paper towels, many people have resorted to using old washcloths or sponges. But for those that prefer to throw away the rag used to clean the toilet, coffee filters are a great alternative. They clean better than paper towels (especially mirrors) and are way cheaper. 3. Baking Soda: Simply, baking soda should become your new best friend. Baking soda, splashed with vinegar, makes for a great cleaner for the shower and toilet, and is especially great at opening clogged drains. If your bathtub is clogged with hair, for example, replace Drano with a few shakes of baking soda, a splash or two of vinegar, and a kettleful of boiling water.  Also, if you pour about half a cup of baking soda into a small dish and add 12 drops of essential oil (or your favorite scented oil from Bath & Body Works), you will have yourself a homemade air freshener to place wherever needed. 4. Dryer Sheets: Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron by turning your iron on low and rubbing the iron over the dryer sheet until residue disappears. 5. Toothbrush: Who doesn't love freshly grilled corn on the cob in the summer? Who truly loathes having to remove all those little strands of corn silk? If you answered yes to both of those questions, there's a simple solution: use a toothbrush to brush the corn and rid it of any hiding silk. 6. Shower Curtain: Outdoor activities like concerts and picnics can be less comfortable if you are sitting on a blanket in soggy grass. For these types of events, lay down a cheap shower curtain before laying down your blanket. The liner keeps the blanket dry and it's easy to wipe away dirt rather than washing a blanket.